PFAS - Forever Chemicals

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic fluorinated compounds. Today more than 4’700 PFAS molecules are known. These chemicals have a high resistance and physical sta-bility. They repel water, dirt, and grease. Due to these properties they are used in a wide range of prod-ucts, from ski-wax and waterproof textiles to fire extinguishers and food packaging. PFAS are the most persistent synthetic chemicals. They do not occur in nature, and they hardly degrade in nature. There-fore they are called “Forever Chemicals”. The number of PFAS detections in the environment and in various organisms worldwide is increasing. The recognition of their bioaccumulative properties, their high mobility and their adverse effects on biological systems has led and is still leading to a regulation of multiple PFAS molecules. The response of the industry was the introduction of other PFAS as substi-tutes, which are now themselves increasingly detected in the environment. Worrying is that the list of negative health effects from an exposure to PFAS is becoming longer every year.