Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” are a group of more than 10,000 synthetic chemicals used in creating nonstick coatings, firefighting foam, waterproof materials, food packaging and much more. PFAS is harmful to human health and the environment, driving necessary efforts to find alternatives¹.
As industries explore PFAS alternatives, we need not only to carefully evaluate trade-offs, but also develop new testing methods to confirm the alternatives are free of these substances and meet stringent regulations³. Mike Dimitriou of consultancy Exponent also pointed out that “testing is complicated because PFAS definitions and regulations vary significantly at the state and federal levels.³”
Considerable research, development, and information gathering are needed to ensure these PFAS alternatives are not or do not become as dangerous as PFAS. Being able to replace PFAS will be difficult because they have so many functions in various applications⁴.
Development of alternatives for PFAS needs to consider the entire life cycle of the substance, from manufacturing to disposal. Incorporating green chemistry principles during development could help ensure the protection of human health and the environment. Open data sharing would provide the opportunity to accelerate the discovery, development, and implementation of safer PFAS alternatives¹ ⁴.
There are certain industries, such as the microchip industry, where PFAS plays a crucial role in keeping products stable at high temperature in the presence of caustic chemicals². These industries need to acknowledge that “replacing PFAS will require a comprehensive and strategic approach, a commitment to research and innovation, and a willingness to work together across sectors⁴.” Alternatives might not immediately outperform PFAS because PFAS have been optimized over decades. But that should not discourage the use of these alternatives, because of the immense benefits they will have for human health and the environment.
Consumers will need to be patient as alternatives to products such stain-resistant carpets, waterproof jackets, and nonstick pans are being created and evaluated because replacements might not be as effective at first.
A PFAS alternative success story of the type we hope to hear again and again from other industries regards firefighting foams. PFAS was a key component in firefighting foams because of their ability to form films that wrapped the burning fuel in a smothering layer, blocking oxygen from fueling the fire². Engineers were able to replace these PFAS foams with nontoxic alternatives by using bubble-forming chemicals, rather than films, to smother the flames².
One thing that experts encourage from consumers is to keep pressure on industries to move away from PFAS. If consumers refuse to buy products containing PFAS, industries will be forced to work together to research and develop safe and effective alternatives.
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Sources
- Ateia, Mohamed and Martin Scheringer. 2023. “From “forever chemicals” to fluorine-free alternatives Identifying alternatives to PFAS requires weighing trade-offs and uncertainties”. SCIENCE. 385 (6706): 256-258.
- Elbein, Saul. (2024, July 18). “Ditching PFAS chemicals requires reality check, scientists argue.” The Hill. Industry's shift from PFAS poses new risks, study warns
- Toloken, Steve. (2024, November 5). “Industry explores testing methods for PFAS alternatives.” Plastic News. SPE conference predicts fast development of PFAS alternatives in plastic | Plastics News
- Wiesinger, Helene. (2024, July 19). “Perspective: From “forever chemicals” to fluorine-free alternatives.” Food Packaging Forum. https://foodpackagingforum.org/news/science-perspective-from-forever-chemicals-to-fluorine-free-alternatives