PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS or PFASs) are a group of synthetic organofluorine chemical compounds that have multiple fluorine atoms attached to an alkyl chain; 7 million such chemicals are listed in PubChem.

Widespread use of PFAS began in 1938 with the invention of Teflon, a fluoropolymer coating that resists heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. They are used in a wide variety of products including waterproof fabric, yoga pants, carpets, shampoo, mobile phone screens, wall paint, furniture, adhesives, food packaging, firefighting foam, electrical insulation, and cosmetics.

Many PFAS such as PFOS and PFOA pose health and environmental concerns because they are persistent organic pollutants, and are consequently often called "forever chemicals". They move through soils and bioaccumulate in fish and wildlife, which are then eaten by humans. Residues are now commonly found in rain, drinking water, and wastewater. Due to the large number of PFAS, it is challenging to assess the potential human health and environmental risks.

Exposure to PFAS, some of which are carcinogens or endocrine disruptors, has been linked to diseases and health conditions including cancers, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, suboptimal antibody response or decreased immunity, decreased fertility, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, fetal and child developmental issues, obesity, and high cholesterol.

The use of PFAS has been regulated internationally by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants since 2009, with some jurisdictions, such as China and the European Union, planning further reductions and phase-outs. However, major producers and users such as the United States, Israel, and Malaysia have not ratified the agreement and the chemical industry has lobbied governments to reduce regulations.

Due to health concerns, several companies have ended or plan to end the sale of PFAS or products that contain them. PFAS producers have paid billions of dollars to settle litigation claims, the largest being a $10.3 billion settlement paid by 3M for water contamination in 2023. Studies have shown that companies have known of the health dangers since the 1970s – DuPont and 3M were aware that PFAS was "highly toxic when inhaled and moderately toxic when ingested". External costs, including those associated with remediation of soil and water contamination, treatment of related diseases, and monitoring of pollution, may be as high as US$17.5 trillion annually, according to ChemSec. The Nordic Council of Ministers estimated health costs to be at least €52–84 billion in the European Economic Area. In the United States, PFAS-attributable disease costs are estimated to be $6–62 billion. In January 2025, the cost of cleaning up toxic PFAS pollution in the UK and Europe was stated to exceed £1.6 trillion over the next 20 years, averaging £84 billion annually.

The market for PFAS was estimated to be US$28 billion in 2023 and the majority are produced by a small number of multinational companies. Sales of PFAS, which cost approximately $20 per kilogram, generated a total industry profit of $4 billion per year on 16% profit margins in 2023.