What Are PFAS?

PFAS is an acronym for Per / Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, a family of man-made chemical compounds not naturally found in the environment, primarily used in industrial applications. PFAS are organic molecules containing fluorine, with a chemical structure that gives them unique and highly valuable properties. This makes them useful across various industries, including automotive. Their main features include: Water and oil repellency, Chemical resistance, Wear and corrosion resistance, Thermal resistance.

Where Are PFAS Used?

Due to their unique properties, PFAS are used across various industrial and consumer sectors to make surfaces water- and oil-repellent, and resistant to heat and wear. They can be found in fabrics, leather, carpets, clothing, paper coatings for food, and non-stick cookware. One of the most well-known PFAS-containing materials is Teflon (PTFE), used on cookware, in water-repellent breathable fabrics like Gore-Tex, and in waterproofing elements in construction.

PFAS are also present in the car care sector. Waxes, polishes, and PFAS-based coatings are marketed for their wear resistance and protective qualities, creating an antistatic film that repels dirt and smog, keeping vehicle paint clean and protected.

Due to their environmental persistence and bioaccumulation, many manufacturers are working to reduce the use of PFOA and PFOS, replacing them with shorter-chain PFAS (6- or 4-carbon atoms) that degrade within days.

The long-term industry goal is the complete elimination of PFAS, seeking alternative substances that provide high performance while protecting health and the environment. The latest REACH regulation bans the production and marketing of PFOA in all sectors as of July 4, 2023. PFOS and its derivatives are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under Reg. (EC) No. 850/2004, and are already subject to bans or strict restrictions.

Exposure Methods

PFAS waste is often disposed of near production plants and local landfills. These substances are highly volatile, persisting in the air for days and traveling before settling on the ground. Once in the soil, PFAS can move through underground layers, contaminating groundwater and surface water, including local drinking water wells. Pollution from PFAS is therefore dispersed and not confined to production sites.

Main Sources of Exposure:

  • Industrial processing of PFAS and products containing them
  • Ingestion of contaminated water or foods, such as fish, fruits, and meat
  • Inhalation of dust from treated surfaces like carpets, clothing, and shoes; volatile PFAS can also be inhaled when opening product containers
  • Skin contact: PFAS, whether pure or dissolved in water, can be absorbed through the skin, making handling of certain products a potential source of exposure

Exposure can also occur through the degradation of materials. For example, the loss of water repellency in fabrics or vehicle surfaces releases PFAS into the environment.

Because PFAS are not biodegradable, they persist for decades in the environment. PFOS has an environmental half-life of 41 years, while PFOA’s half-life is 8 years, giving these substances a high potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification.

Effects On Health

High levels of PFAS have been detected in the blood of both consumers and workers, because these molecules are not broken down by the body or by sunlight. PFAS bind to plasma proteins and are not metabolized, leading to accumulation primarily in the liver, and to a lesser extent in the kidneys. Their elimination is very slow, as PFAS filtered in urine are often reabsorbed back into circulation. The half-life, the time it takes for blood levels to decrease by half, is on average 5.4 years for PFOS and 3.8 years for PFOA, with men exhibiting longer half-lives than women.

Health Associations

Epidemiological studies have linked PFOA and PFOS exposure to several health conditions, including:

  • High cholesterol, increasing the risk of arteriosclerosis
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Thyroid dysfunction
  • Gestational hypertension
  • Male reproductive system effects, including altered sperm parameters and hormone disruption
  • Elevated uric acid levels, a risk factor for gout and kidney stones

PFOS and especially PFOA have been evaluated for their carcinogenic potential by the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) and the US EPA. In 2017, IARC classified PFOA as “possibly carcinogenic” (Group 2B) for kidney and testicular tumors.

Because PFAS can alter metabolism and contribute to chronic disease risk, exposure to these substances is considered a significant risk factor for non-communicable diseases, alongside:

  1. Smoking
  2. Alcohol consumption
  3. Poor diet
  4. Physical inactivity
  5. PFAS exposure