PFAS: Pesky Chemicals and Efforts to Get Rid of Them
- Sophie Wassef
- Feb 11, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 27
How have “forever chemicals” affected our daily lives, and is there any way to get rid of them?
What are PFAS?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often referred to as PFAS, are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used worldwide since the 1940s. PFAS have both industrial applications and are used in consumer goods. Their uses span across many industries such as the aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics industries; from cookware to paints, PFAS are utilized in consumer products because of their resistance to heat, water, grease, and oil.
PFAS have been given the title of “forever chemicals” because they are virtually indestructible. The structure of PFAS, as seen in the figure below, largely consist of bonds between Fluorine and Carbon. These bonds are exceptionally strong, making them a primary factor in the chemicals’ resistance to breakdown.
What are the dangers of PFAS to humans and the environment?
Because of PFAS’s almost indestructible nature, they do not break down in nature. Instead, they cycle through the air soil and water, and can even enter the food chain. Due to their widespread use, many PFAS can be found in the blood of humans and animals across the globe. In the United States, most people have been exposed to some PFAS by touching, drinking, eating, or breathing in materials that contain PFAS.
Scientists have found that exposure to certain PFAS result in negative health effects in humans and animals. Exposure to certain levels of PFAS in humans may lead to reproductive issues, developmental delays in children, an increased risk in some cancers, reduced immune system strength, hormone interference, and increased cholesterol levels. Similar negative health affects can be observed in animals exposed to PFAS. People are also at risk of bioaccumulation of PFAS (when a person takes in more of a chemical than they excrete). Bioaccumulation of PFAS in humans is also linked to health effects.
What efforts are being made to eliminate PFAS?
In the United States, there are no strict regulations on PFAS made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), leaving much of the current guidelines surrounding this chemical group up to individual states. In recent years, many states have begun placing regulations on the use of PFAS in water, food packaging, and consumer products. However, creating policy against these substances is only one step towards restoring a safe environment for humans and all wildlife. After all, PFAS are “forever chemicals” and their presence in exposed areas will be felt for a long time unless there are active measures to remove existing pollutants.
With this in mind, scientists have been researching and developing technologies and strategies to remove existing PFAS from the environment.
Here are some efforts to remove PFAS from the environment:
Soil Remediation
Thermal combustion-based treatment
Soil washing
Groundwater Remediation
Activated carbon filters
Single-use ion-exchange resin
Adsorbent technologies
Conclusion
Though the legacy of PFAS seem daunting, we should still have hope that scientists, active citizens, and government officials will all play a role in squashing these chemicals. Though fighting these “forever chemicals” will be an uphill battle, the ongoing efforts to remove and reduce PFAS in our lives seem promising. In addition, as more people become aware of this issue more action will follow. I hope you have been able to take away something new from this blog and are feeling inspired share what you have learned with your community.
-- Sophie Wassef
Comments