You might often see the acronym PFAS. But what does that actually mean?
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, collectively known as PFAS, consist of more than 12,000 man-made chemical compounds that are "used in a broad array of consumer products," Susie Dai, PhD, an environmental scientist at Texas A&M University, previously told USA TODAY.
Most commonly, PFAS are used in non-stick, greaseproof and waterproof coatings and surfaces, and are also used in flame retardants and to extend the life or usefulness of a variety of everyday items.
Are PFAS the same as "forever" chemicals?
While different PFAS have different chemical structures, all PFAS have at least one common trait: the presence of carbon-fluorine bonds, which are among the strongest bonds in chemistry.
This powerful bond
is attractive to manufacturers because it extends the life and improves the functionality of many common products; but it's also a bad thing because it means that once these chemicals are created and released into the world, they don't break down easily in the environment or in our bodies – earning PFAS the nickname "forever chemicals."
Over time, this exposure can do harm to the planet and to people and animals. "Exposure to high levels of PFAS is associated with higher risk of cancer, impaired kidney and liver function, reproduction and embryonic development issues and blunted responses to vaccines," Dr. Kristin Scheible, a microbiologist and immunologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, previously told USA TODAY.
How are people exposed to PFAS?
While avoiding exposure is difficult since PFAS have been used in manufacturing for more than 80 years and have found their way into countless soil and water sources during that time, it's possible to at least limit some exposure by knowing which products and places PFAS are commonly found in.
For instance, PFAS are commonly used in non-stick cookware, greaseproof food packaging, outdoor clothing, waterproof cosmetics and stain-resistant carpets and furniture. While most such products don't advertise that they were made using PFAS, if a product says it's waterproof, stain proof, or non-sticking, and isn't advertised as being PFAS-free, "then it likely contains PFAS," Scott Bartell, PhD, a professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of California, Irvine, previously told USA TODAY.
Beyond commercial product use, people are also exposed to PFAS by eating produce that has been grown in PFAS-contaminated soil or by eating animals that have fed on PFAS-contaminated grasses. More commonly, many people drink directly from PFAS-contaminated water sources as 2023 research shows that as much as 45% of tap water in America has become contaminated by at least one of these forever chemicals.
To help, Bartell recommends installing a water purification system for any tap water that enters the home so PFAS can be filtered out, "until the new EPA standards begin to take effect."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What are PFAS? 'Forever chemicals' are common and dangerous.
