PFAS are forever — a complicated chemical family

‍Dr Peter Dawson (Principal Scientist, Hazardous Substances, at the Environmental Protection Authority) explains what per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are, how they are used, and the global and national response to potential risks from these chemicals.

This is an excerpt from the EPA’s Science at work series of science communication stories.

Commonly called forever chemicals, PFAS are a large, complex group of synthetic chemicals that are used widely in consumer products and industrial processes around the world for their water, grease, heat and stain-resistant properties.

There are more than 10,000 chemicals in this group, which can be found in everything from clothing to electronics and cookware to cleaning products. While the use of PFAS in some products can be considered non-essential, they are critical to ensuring the safety of some medical devices.  

The problem is the qualities that make them so useful also make them incredibly durable. Most PFAS are so well designed and resilient they will outlast civilisations and take thousands of years to break down — hence their name, ‘forever chemicals’. 

They can also build up in people, animals, and the environment over time, and some PFAS have been linked to serious health effects.

‍The many uses of PFAS

PFAS chemicals have been around since the late 1930s, when an American scientist named Roy J. Plunkett created one by accident during a lab experiment. 

The company he worked for called it Teflon, now synonymous with nonstick pans, and went on to become one of the largest global manufacturers of forever chemicals.

Since those heady days of accidental discovery, many more PFAS have been created and they have become so widely used it’s almost inevitable a few things you own contain one or more of these chemicals.

Here are just a few of the consumer products PFAS are used in:

• Cleaning products
• Water-resistant fabrics, such as rain jackets, umbrellas and tents
• Nonstick cookware
• Personal care products used on hair, skin and teeth
• Stain-resistant coatings used on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics

A persistent problem

Because of their widespread use and persistence in the environment, many PFAS are now present in water, in soil, and in the blood of people and animals across the globe. These compounds have even been found in Arctic glaciers.

While many PFAS may not be known to have health impacts, the fact they are persistent and can accumulate in our bodies means more information is needed.

Current scientific research suggests that exposure to high levels of some PFAS may lead to serious health issues, including thyroid disease, decreased fertility, liver damage, and various kinds of cancer.

Research is ongoing to find out how different levels of exposure to different PFAS can lead to a variety of health effects, and to better understand the potential impact of low levels of exposure to PFAS over long periods of time.

Global response to PFAS 

Many countries around the world are now taking action to better regulate or restrict the use of PFAS because of their longevity, ability to travel long distances in the environment, and potential effect on health. 

Some of these compounds are already listed under the Stockholm Convention, an international agreement to limit the production and use of persistent organic pollutants, 

In New Zealand, the Environmental Protection Authority takes a precautionary approach to regulating these chemicals and has already taken action in some areas:

• phasing out all firefighting foams containing PFAS
• banning all PFAS in cosmetic products
• testing for background levels of PFAS in the New Zealand environment.

Continue reading the story: PFAS are forever – a complicated chemical family | EPA