Understanding PFAS

PFAS, or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, are a large group of synthetic chemicals that have been widely used in industrial and consumer products. These substances are characterized by a unique chemical structure composed of carbon and fluorine bonds, one of the strongest bonds in chemistry, making them exceptionally resistant to heat, water, and oil.

Definition of PFAS

PFAS encompass thousands of compounds that share a similar chemical backbone but differ in chain length and functional groups. Two of the most common and extensively studied PFAS are:

PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid): Used in manufacturing non-stick cookware and water-resistant fabrics.
PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate): Formerly used in firefighting foams and stain repellents.

While PFAS are effective in providing water and grease resistance, their chemical stability also means they do not break down easily in the environment, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”

Chemical Structure of PFAS

The molecular structure of PFAS is defined by a chain of carbon atoms fully or partially bonded with fluorine atoms. This structure can be either:

Long-chain PFAS: Compounds with 8 or more carbon atoms (e.g., PFOA, PFOS).
Short-chain PFAS: Compounds with fewer than 8 carbon atoms (e.g., GenX, PFBS).

The carbon-fluorine bond is among the strongest in organic chemistry, making PFAS extremely resistant to thermal, chemical, and biological degradation. This resistance contributes to their persistent nature, allowing them to accumulate in the environment and human body over time.

The Science Behind PFAS

PFAS are designed to repel water, oil, and grease, making them ideal for non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and firefighting foams. However, these same chemical properties also make them highly persistent in the environment and human body.

How PFAS Work at the Molecular Level

PFAS molecules consist of a hydrophobic tail made of carbon-fluorine bonds and a hydrophilic head with functional groups like carboxylates or sulfonates.

Hydrophobic Tail: This tail is water-repellent and resistant to degradation, allowing PFAS to persist in various environments.
Hydrophilic Head: This head can interact with water, facilitating the spread and mobility of PFAS in aqueous systems.

Due to this structure, PFAS can easily migrate through soil and water, contaminating drinking water supplies and accumulating in wildlife and human tissue.

Why PFAS Are Called “Forever Chemicals”

PFAS are dubbed “forever chemicals” because their strong carbon-fluorine bonds are nearly indestructible under natural environmental conditions. While some chemical compounds can degrade under UV light, extreme temperatures, or microbial activity, PFAS remain intact for decades or even centuries.

This persistence poses significant environmental and health risks, as PFAS can accumulate in groundwater, soil, and living organisms, moving up the food chain without breaking down.

The Persistence and Mobility of PFAS in the Environment

PFAS are known for their ability to spread easily across different environmental mediums:

Water: PFAS are highly soluble in water, allowing them to travel long distances and contaminate drinking water supplies.
Soil: PFAS can leach from landfills, firefighting sites, and industrial facilities into the surrounding soil and groundwater.
Air: Some PFAS can become airborne through industrial emissions and settle in remote areas far from their source.

The combination of persistence and mobility makes PFAS particularly difficult to contain and remediate once released into the environment.

Where can PFAS be found

PFAS chemicals are ubiquitous in modern life due to their exceptional resistance to heat, water, and oil. Their unique chemical properties make them highly effective in a wide range of products, from household goods to industrial applications. However, this widespread use also increases the potential for environmental contamination and human exposure.

Common Household Items That Contain PFAS

PFAS can be found in numerous everyday products, including:

Non-stick Cookware: PFAS, particularly PFOA, were historically used in non-stick coatings like Teflon to provide heat and stain resistance. Although many manufacturers have phased out long-chain PFAS, newer short-chain alternatives are still in use.
Waterproof Clothing and Outdoor Gear: PFAS provide water and stain resistance to outdoor apparel, tents, and footwear. They are commonly applied to products branded as water-repellent, stain-resistant, or breathable.
Food Packaging: PFAS are used to prevent grease and moisture from seeping through food wrappers, pizza boxes, microwave popcorn bags, and fast-food containers.
Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: PFAS are found in some cosmetics, such as foundations, mascaras, and sunscreens, to improve product texture, water resistance, and durability.
Household Products: Stain-resistant carpets, upholstery, and cleaning products often contain PFAS to repel water and oil.

Industrial and Military Applications of PFAS

Beyond consumer products, PFAS are extensively utilized in industrial and military applications due to their thermal stability and resistance to chemical degradation:

Firefighting Foams: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) containing PFAS are widely used to extinguish flammable liquid fires, such as fuel spills at airports and military bases. These foams are a significant source of PFAS contamination in groundwater.
Metal Plating and Etching: PFAS compounds are used as surfactants in electroplating and etching processes to prevent surface defects and control foam formation.
Industrial Coatings and Sealants: PFAS provide durability, chemical resistance, and non-stick properties to coatings used in chemical plants, aerospace equipment, and automotive parts.
Lubricants and Hydraulic Fluids: PFAS are incorporated into high-performance lubricants and hydraulic fluids for their resistance to heat and friction.

Food Packaging

PFAS play a crucial role in food packaging due to their ability to repel grease, water, and oil. They are commonly found in:

Fast Food Wrappers and Bags: PFAS coatings prevent oil and grease from seeping through paper wrappers and bags used for burgers, fries, and pastries.
Microwave Popcorn Bags: The inner lining of popcorn bags often contains PFAS to resist grease and prevent leakage during microwaving.
Pizza Boxes: PFAS-treated boxes keep pizza grease from soaking through the cardboard.
Disposable Plates and Bowls: Some compostable and fiber-based tableware is coated with PFAS to make it water-resistant.

While PFAS coatings are effective at preventing leaks and maintaining food integrity, they can leach into food, raising concerns about human exposure and environmental impact.

Textiles and Apparel

PFAS are extensively used in textiles to provide water, stain, and dirt resistance. Common applications include:

Outdoor Gear and Performance Apparel: Rain jackets, boots, and tents are often treated with PFAS to repel moisture while maintaining breathability.
Upholstery and Carpets: PFAS coatings protect furniture and carpets from spills and stains, particularly in commercial settings.
Medical Textiles: PFAS provide liquid repellency to surgical gowns, drapes, and medical bedding, preventing contamination in healthcare environments.
Workwear and Uniforms: PFAS-treated fabrics are used in fire-resistant and protective clothing for industrial workers and first responders.

Despite their functional benefits, the environmental persistence of PFAS in textiles has prompted many manufacturers to explore PFAS-free alternatives.

Electronics and Medical Devices

PFAS are less commonly associated with electronics and medical devices, but they still play a significant role in these sectors:

Semiconductors and Circuit Boards: PFAS compounds are used in semiconductor manufacturing as surfactants and protective coatings, ensuring performance under high temperatures and preventing oxidation.
Medical Devices: PFAS provide biocompatibility, chemical resistance, and lubricity in devices such as catheters, tubing, and implantable medical devices.
Battery Components: PFAS are sometimes incorporated into battery separators and coatings to enhance thermal stability and prevent electrolyte leaks.
Cable Insulation and Connectors: PFAS coatings protect wires, cables, and connectors from corrosion and chemical degradation, particularly in high-temperature environments.

While the volume of PFAS used in these applications may be lower compared to textiles or food packaging, the potential for environmental release during manufacturing and disposal remains a significant concern.

Why are PFAS a concern

PFAS chemicals have been widely used for decades, and their persistence in the environment and human body has raised serious health and ecological concerns. Due to their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, PFAS resist natural degradation, allowing them to accumulate over time in water, soil, and living organisms. This accumulation can lead to significant health risks and environmental pollution.

Health Risks of PFAS Exposure

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a range of adverse health effects. As these chemicals accumulate in the body over time, even low-level, chronic exposure can pose serious health risks, including:

Cancer: Several studies have found associations between PFAS exposure and increased risk of certain cancers, particularly:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Liver cancer
Immune System Disruption: PFAS can suppress immune function, reducing the body’s ability to fight infections and respond to vaccines effectively.
Hormone Interference: PFAS can act as endocrine disruptors, affecting the thyroid gland and potentially leading to hormone imbalances, developmental delays, and reproductive issues.
Liver and Kidney Damage: Chronic exposure can cause liver enzyme changes, fatty liver disease, and kidney dysfunction.
Developmental Effects in Infants and Children: PFAS can pass from mother to fetus during pregnancy and through breast milk, potentially impacting:
- Birth weight
- Cognitive development
- Immune system function
Cholesterol Elevation: Some PFAS, such as PFOA and PFOS, have been linked to elevated cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Increased Risk of Diabetes: Recent studies suggest a potential link between PFAS exposure and metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.

Long-Term Exposure Concerns

PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down in the body or the environment. This prolonged persistence raises concerns about bioaccumulation and long-term health impacts.

Bioaccumulation: PFAS accumulate in human tissues, particularly the liver and kidneys, over time. Regular exposure through drinking water, food, or air can lead to elevated concentrations, potentially compounding health risks.
Vulnerable Populations: Infants, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to the effects of PFAS exposure. In developing fetuses, PFAS can cross the placental barrier, potentially causing developmental harm.
Delayed Symptoms: Health effects from PFAS exposure may not appear for years or even decades, making it challenging to link specific health conditions directly to PFAS exposure.

Environmental Contamination

PFAS contamination is a widespread and persistent environmental issue. Due to their chemical stability, PFAS can remain intact for decades, moving through air, water, and soil and spreading far beyond their original source.

Waterways: PFAS are highly soluble in water, allowing them to travel long distances through groundwater, rivers, and lakes. Contaminated water supplies can affect entire communities, exposing populations to unsafe PFAS levels.
Soil and Sediment: Industrial sites, landfills, and areas where firefighting foams were used can become PFAS hotspots, contaminating surrounding soil and groundwater.
Atmospheric Spread: PFAS can become airborne through industrial emissions, settling in remote areas and entering water systems through rainfall.
Wildlife Accumulation: PFAS can bioaccumulate in wildlife, particularly fish and marine mammals, posing risks to ecosystems and potentially entering the human food chain.

PFAS in Drinking Water and Soil

PFAS contamination of drinking water is a significant public health concern. Due to their water solubility, PFAS can easily migrate from industrial sites, landfills, and firefighting training areas into groundwater and municipal water systems.

Sources of PFAS in Drinking Water:
- Industrial discharges from chemical plants, plating facilities, and textile manufacturers
- Firefighting foam runoff from airports and military bases
- Landfill leachate from waste disposal sites containing PFAS-treated products
- Agricultural runoff containing PFAS-laden biosolids and fertilizers
Impact on Drinking Water Supplies:
- PFAS are often undetectable without specific testing, allowing contamination to persist undetected for years.
- Even low concentrations of PFAS in drinking water can accumulate in the body over time, increasing health risks.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, but there is growing pressure to set enforceable limits for additional PFAS compounds.
Soil and Agricultural Land:
- PFAS can contaminate soil through the application of contaminated biosolids, irrigation water, and industrial waste.
- Crops grown in contaminated soil can absorb PFAS, potentially entering the food chain.
- Livestock raised in PFAS-contaminated areas can also accumulate PFAS in their tissues, affecting food safety.

PFAS contamination is a silent but serious threat that requires proactive measures. If you’re concerned about potential PFAS exposure or contamination in your area, it’s crucial to act now.

Get comprehensive PFAS testing to assess potential contamination in your products. Contact us today to learn more about our PFAS testing services.