PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)

Drinking water, food packaging, nonstick cookware, stain-resistant textiles, carpets, cosmetics, firefighting foams, household dust

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large and diverse class of synthetic organofluorine chemicals used in industrial processes and consumer products. Many PFAS have properties that make them useful for resisting water, oil, grease, and stains, and they have been used in food packaging, textiles, nonstick coatings, cosmetics, and firefighting foams. Human exposure can occur through contaminated drinking water and food, household dust, and contact with certain consumer products. PFAS vary considerably in their chemical structures, uses, environmental behavior, and potential health effects. Many are highly persistent in the environment, while some can accumulate in humans and wildlife. Although certain PFAS have been extensively studied, substantial information gaps remain for many substances in this class. Examples include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), and fluoropolymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are subject to a growing number of international and national regulations. Specific PFAS, including PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS, are listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and are restricted under the European Union's Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation (EU) 2019/1021. Additional PFAS substances and uses are restricted under the EU REACH Regulation, including certain perfluorocarboxylic acids and PFAS in firefighting foams. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency has established enforceable drinking water standards for certain PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS. These regulations apply to specific substances, chemical subgroups, or uses rather than all PFAS universally.