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 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.
- Applications: PFASs are used in the chemical industry including in Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) production, the metal plating industry, in the photo imaging industry, and in the semiconductor
- 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).
