Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Latest News

Recently, the European Union (EU) Parliament approved updated EU water pollution standards and added Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the pollutants list which needs to be monitored.

About Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

• These are toxic, man-made, hazardous chemicals. 
• These are also known as the Forever Chemicals, are a large chemical family of over 4,700
• They are a large family of fluorinated chemicals that have partially or completely fluorinated carbon chains of varied lengths. 
• Because the carbon-fluorine bond is one of the strongest, these chemicals do not degrade easily in the environment.
• Subgroups: Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
• These subgroups are currently listed under the Stockholm Convention as industrial POPs.
• How Are People Exposed to PFAS?

• • They are ingredients in various everyday products. For example, PFAS are used to keep food from sticking to packaging or cookware, make clothes and carpets resistant to stains
  • PFAS are used in the aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics industries. Over time, PFAS may leak into the soil, water, and air.
  • People are most likely exposed to these chemicals by consuming PFAS-contaminated water or food, using products made with PFAS, or breathing air containing PFAS. 
• Impacts of PFAS on Human Health: Decreased fertility, developmental effects in children, interference with body hormones, increased cholesterol levels, and increased risk of some cancers.
• Regulation: The Stockholm Convention has listed some PFAS, such as Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), as persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Source: DTE

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