Do you know your PFAS blind spots?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is an umbrella term for many thousands of synthetic chemicals that have been used in industrial, professional and consumer products around the world since the 1940s. They all contain carbon-fluorine bonds and this chemical structure gives them highly useful properties such as heat resistance, oil/water repellence, friction reduction and stability and durability. However, these properties also give rise to concerns for the environment and human exposure for the same reason – they break down very slowly and accumulate in the environment. They can be measured in humans, food chains, groundwater, surface water and soil. For this reason, PFAS are often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’.

Given their properties, PFAS have been used in many and diverse applications including:

• Food packaging and non-stick cookware: PFAS repel grease and prevent oil and grease soaking into paper and cardboard packaging. The non-stick surfaces on frying pans and paper food bags are just two examples of uses for such applications
• Clothing and textiles: The ability for PFAS to resist heat and repel water and chemicals has resulted in their use in a range of specialty and durable materials, such as waterproof clothing, carpets, personal protective equipment (PPE) and performance fabrics
• Industrial manufacturing processes: PFAS are used to make semiconductors, plastics, composite resins, and more
• Coating and insulation: Their heat-resistant properties make PFAS useful in coatings for electrical cabling, lubricants in bike oil, or paints for corrosion protection
• Firefighting: PFAS have historically been used in aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), which is effective at fighting flammable liquid fires such as fuel fires

The sheer number of PFAS means that very little is known about the hazards and risks of the vast majority of them. However, concerns from available data have driven concerns over health and environmental exposure and potential for related effects. The persistence of PFAS in the environment means that they are often measured in drinking water and the food chain. Certain PFAS are known to accumulate in animals, plants and humans. There is much discussion regarding the effects of exposure, but general agreement is that PFAS release and exposure should be minimized so far as possible. Concern for mounting PFAS exposure is driving interventions through regulatory control.

Determining whether your products contain PFAS can be a complex task, but there are steps you can take to gain clarity. Some products are more likely than others to contain PFAS. You can map PFAS in your supply chain and talk to your suppliers, who are also likely to be affected by existing and future PFAS restrictions. In some cases, testing for the presence of PFAS may be needed. Learn about the steps you can take to prepare for new PFAS restrictions.

There are several reasons why it’s hard to know if products contain PFAS. These include:

• Lack of labelling: PFAS are not typically listed as ingredients on product labels, so companies may not know if they are present in their products
• Complex supply chains: Many products contain components or ingredients that are sourced from multiple suppliers, making it difficult to track the use of PFAS throughout the supply chain
• Limited testing: There are thousands of different PFAS compounds. Testing is expensive and expert input is needed to design appropriate strategies and interpret findings
• PFAS contamination of raw materials: PFAS can be present in raw materials used to manufacture products, such as equipment, coatings, textiles, and packaging materials. If these raw materials are contaminated with PFAS, they can introduce PFAS into the final product without the company’s knowledge
• Lack of regulatory requirements: In some regions, there are no specific regulations requiring companies to test for or disclose the presence of PFAS in their products. This can make it less of a priority for companies to proactively look for and report PFAS

We have many years’ experience with PFAS and support companies in undertaking PFAS impact assessments, helping them uncover their blind spots. Get in touch at [email protected] to find out how we can support you.

In short, ‘yes’. If passed in its current form, the restriction proposal would mark the biggest single ban on chemicals ever in the European Union (EU). It has a very broad scope, covering over 10,000 chemicals, with almost no exemptions. The proposal would see a full ban coming into force 18 months after the restriction becomes law. Some use-specific derogations are likely to be included to allow time for society to adjust to the effect of the ban. However, derogations are not exemptions – they only allow for extra time to adjust before the ban takes effect – and will be limited to certain sectors and applications.