Many have heard the recent news that the 3M company had recent lawsuit totaling $10.3 billion dollars regarding PFAS. These are considered forever chemicals which have polluted our waters, utensils, and could potentially harm our physical health. It’s important to understand for our well-being what these type of chemicals can do to our bodies. In today’s article we’re going to dive into some deep waters trying to understand what exactly PFAS are and how many humans have been in contact with these type of chemicals.
PFAS Existence
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in various industries due to their unique properties. PFAS are resistant to heat, water, and oil. One of the reasons PFAS have gained attention is because they have been found to persist in the environment and the human body. They do not easily break down, leading to their accumulation in soil, water, and living organisms.
PFAS have been detected in drinking water sources, food products, and even in the blood of people around the world. PFAS can somewhat be compared to PCB’s which is another type of chemical used as an electrical fluid due to its wonderful characteristics. The comparison begins and ends with the fact that both bioaccumulate, resist degradation, and do not break down easily. They are essentially both very useful with some drastic consequences to the environment and human health.
Studies have linked exposure with potential adverse health effects. Some of the health concerns associated with PFAS exposure include an increased risk of certain cancers, liver damage, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, and developmental issues in infants and children. Due to their persistence and potential health risks, there has been increasing regulatory scrutiny and efforts to limit the use and environmental release of PFAS.
History
PFAS were first created in the mid-20th century, with their development starting in the 1930s. One of the first commercially successful PFAS compounds was perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which was introduced by the chemical industry in the 1940s. PFOA, along with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), gained popularity due to their unique properties, including their resistance to heat, water, and oil.
The widespread use and popularization of PFAS in consumer products began in the 1950s and continued through the following decades. PFAS compounds found their way into various consumer goods due to their desirable characteristics. Non-stick cookware coated with PFAS-based materials, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), was introduced in the 1960s and became widely used. This led to the production of well-known consumer brands like Teflon.
In subsequent years, PFAS became prevalent in other consumer products as well. They were utilized in waterproof fabrics, stain-resistant carpets, upholstery, food packaging, and personal care products. The use of them expanded across multiple industries due to their versatility and beneficial properties. As they gained popularity and widespread use during these periods, their potential environmental and health concerns only began to receive significant attention and research in more recent years, leading to increased awareness and regulatory actions to address their risks.
Uses
Due to the great characteristics of these chemicals they were widely used in numerous applications from industrial and consumer products. Their ability to resist heat, grease, and water allows their application to be ever-ending. Listed below are some of the products which they are used in.
- Consumer products: PFAS have been widely used in consumer products and their water and grease resistance make them ideal for these applications such as:
- non-stick cookware
- waterproof fabrics
- stain-resistant carpets
- food packaging
- personal care products
- Industrial applications: PFAS have found applications in various industries. They are used in the manufacturing of:
- electronics
- automotive components
- textiles
- cleaning products
- firefighting foams, particularly in aviation and firefighting training
PFAS are still used in various industries, although there has been increased scrutiny and regulation surrounding their use in recent years. While some countries have implemented restrictions or bans on specific compounds, there are still ongoing uses of them in certain applications. Here are some areas where they are still used:
- Industrial applications: Utilized in industries such as electronics, automotive, aerospace, and textiles. They are used in processes like metal plating, electronics manufacturing, and semiconductor production.
- Firefighting foams: Certain types, such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), have been historically used in firefighting foams due to their effectiveness in suppressing flammable liquid fires. However, efforts are underway to replace or phase out firefighting foams with more environmentally friendly alternatives.
- Consumer products: While there has been a reduction in the use in consumer products, they can still be found in some items. Non-stick cookware, waterproof fabrics, stain-resistant carpets, and certain personal care products may contain the chemical coatings.
- Food packaging: Have been used in certain food packaging materials to provide grease and water resistance. However, regulatory measures and industry initiatives are being implemented to limit or eliminate the use in food packaging due to concerns about migration into food.
There is an increasing focus on transitioning to safer alternatives and reducing reliance on PFAS. Many manufacturers and industries are actively working to develop alternative chemicals and materials that offer similar functionalities without the potential environmental persistence and health concerns associated with the forever chemicals. Overall, while they are still used in certain applications, there is a growing awareness of their potential risks, and efforts are being made to find safer alternatives and limit their environmental release.
Contamination to the Environment
While significant progress has been made in understanding contamination, there is still ongoing research and further investigation needed to fully comprehend the extent and complexities of PFAS contamination in various environments. Regarding environmental contamination, there is a relatively good understanding of some major sources of contamination, such as industrial discharges, wastewater treatment plants, and historical use of firefighting foams at certain sites.
However, there are still knowledge gaps and ongoing research to better understand the behavior, fate, and transport of PFAS in different environmental compartments, such as soil, water, and ecosystems. This includes studying the processes of deposition, transformation, and bioaccumulation in various environmental matrices. In terms of human exposure, considerable progress has been made in biomonitoring studies, which have helped identify the presence in human bodies, including blood, urine, and breast milk. These studies have provided valuable insights into exposure levels.
Recent new understandings have been found that United States drinking water can be contaminated with up to 45% of the forever chemicals. New areas and findings are still being detected such as in Tokyo where a military base admitted to leaks of PFAS. Lastly, foam in rivers, lakes, and streams could be a potential of the forever chemical existing with health departments warning the public to avoid coming into contact with the foam.
- Persistence in the environment: One of the major concerns with PFAS is their persistence in the environment. Due to the strong carbon-fluorine bond, PFAS do not readily break down naturally. This leads to their accumulation in soil, water bodies, and living organisms, including humans.
- Contamination sources: They can enter the environment through multiple sources. Industrial discharges, wastewater treatment plants, landfills, and accidental releases during the production and use of PFAS-containing products contribute to environmental contamination. The chemicals can migrate from landfills and storage sites into groundwater and surface water, becoming potential sources of drinking water contamination.
- Global reach: Contamination has been found in various regions worldwide. Studies have detected PFAS in drinking water supplies, including both groundwater and surface water sources. Additionally, they have been found in fish, wildlife, and agricultural products, which can serve as pathways for human exposure. As humans consume these various pathways they can be transitioned into our own livers, bloodstream, and other organs.
There is ongoing research to refine exposure assessment methodologies, understand the impact of different exposure routes (such as inhalation and dermal exposure), and evaluate the relationship between environmental contamination and human exposure levels. Additionally, there is a need for more comprehensive research on the health effects of PFAS exposure, especially long-term and chronic exposure, as well as the effects of exposure to mixtures of different compounds.
Our understanding of contamination has advanced significantly, ongoing research is necessary to address remaining knowledge gaps, improve risk assessments, and develop effective mitigation strategies to minimize the impacts of PFAS on the environment and human health.
Health Concerns
While significant research has been conducted on the health effects of PFAS, our understanding of their potential risks is still evolving. Some health risks associated with exposure have been identified, but not all the risks are fully known or understood. However, it’s important to note that the extent and magnitude of these health risks can vary depending on factors such as the specific compounds involved, their concentrations, the duration of exposure, and individual susceptibility.
Some compounds, such as PFOA and PFOS, have received more attention in research due to their widespread use and potential health effects. For other PFAS compounds, the available data might be more limited.
- Potential risks: Scientific studies have associated PFAS exposure with a range of health effects. These include an increased risk of:
- certain cancers (such as kidney, testicular, and thyroid cancers)
- liver damage
- immune system dysfunction
- hormonal disruptions
- decreased fertility
- developmental issues in infants and children
- effects on cholesterol levels
- Human exposure: PFAS can enter the human body through various pathways. Drinking water contaminated with PFAS, consuming food grown in contaminated soil or water, inhalation of airborne particles in indoor environments, and direct contact with consumer products containing them are common routes of exposure.
- Regulatory action: Recognizing the potential risks posed by PFAS, governments and regulatory agencies have taken steps to address the issue. Some countries have restricted or banned the production and use of certain variations of the compounds. Additionally, there are ongoing efforts to regulate contamination in water supplies and set maximum allowable limits for drinking water. Manufacturers are also working to develop alternative chemicals that have less environmental persistence and lower health risks.
Additionally, long-term and chronic exposure to PFAS, including exposure to mixtures of different compounds, is an area of ongoing research and investigation. Scientists continue to study the potential health effects and mechanisms of toxicity, including the impacts on different organs, systems, and vulnerable populations. Given the complex diversity of these chemicals, further research is necessary to fully understand their risks. Ongoing studies and scientific advancements aim to enhance our understanding for public health policies associated with these substances.
Conclusion
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals known for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. Despite their usefulness in various industries, concerns have arisen due to their persistence in the environment and potential health risks. They can be found in consumer products, industrial applications, and have been detected in the environment and human bodies. The strong carbon-fluorine bond contributes to their persistence and their ability to accumulate in the environment and living organisms.
Studies have associated PFAS exposure with various health effects, emphasizing the need for regulatory action and public awareness. Efforts are underway to restrict the use of certain types of these compounds, regulate contamination in water sources, and develop safer alternatives. Understanding them and their potential impact is crucial for protecting human health and the environment. It’s also noted in some studies that they exist in human blood serum in 99% of the participants who are 12 years old and above.