Pfas

Notes on PFAS

PFAS

PFAS: Polyfluoroalkyl substances. Also called forever chemicals.

became widespread in 20th century
Used in non stick pans for example Concerns:
carcinogens that can cause health issues such as:
- cancers
- ulcerative colitis
- thyroid disease
- reduced immune response
Often found in
- groundwater
- waste water
- soil

molecules that contain multiple fluorine atoms attached to an alkyl chain
- alkyl: an alkane that is missing a single hydrogen atom
  - alkane: hydrogen and carbon atoms arranged in a tree structure where all carbon to carbon bonds are single.

Prevalence in rain water around the world is far more than the upper limit advisory for lifetime exposure.
Most common is TFA - Trifluoroacetic acid. It is ubiquitous
The PFAS are transferred from water to air, polluting the air and making it into rain. It is part of the water cycle.
Has reached places such as Antarctica.
High levels of contamination get into food supplies such as rice and coffee.
31% of all groundwater surveyed in 2024 was polluted with PFAS

Currently PFAS are accumulating in the food web. Surveying freshwater fish in the US in 2015, harmful levels were found.

Exposure from work leads to higher levels in blood

List of professions with high levels of blood PFAS:

Ski wax techs
Manufacturing workers: If the workers worked in a factory where PFAS are manufactured or used in manufacturing
Firefighters: because PFAS are found in Class B firefighting foams.