What are pfas?
the forever chemicals
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WHAT ARE THEY?
PFAS, which stands for “perfluorinated alkylated substances,” were developed in the 1940s as synthetic chemical compounds. Currently, there are more than 4,000 substances within this category, extensively employed across various industries. These substances resist significant natural degradation processes because of the robust bonds between fluorine and carbon atoms.
WHERE ARE THEY FOUND?
PFAS are involved in numerous industrial processes due to their resistance and low affinity for both water and fats. They are, in fact, water- and oil-repellent substances.
They can be found:
In household products to impart non-stick properties to the internal surfaces of pots. Some PFAS are used in detergents, floor polishes, and latex paints as emulsifiers, surfactants, or wetting agents. Additionally, some PFAS are used at the end of the production process to treat fabrics, coatings, carpets, and leather to provide water, oil, soil, and stain resistance.
In medical articles for medical implants/prosthetics and for products such as non-woven fabric surgical drapes and gowns to make them waterproof and oil-resistant, and resistant to stains.
In metal plating.
In petroleum processing and mining production.
In the production of papers and oleophobic and hydrophobic packaging in the production of fabrics, leather, carpets, clothing, and upholstery (e.g., Gore-Tex®).
In the aerospace and defense sectors for the production of various mechanical components.
In the automotive sector to improve fuel delivery systems and prevent gasoline leaks.
In the production of cables and wiring, due to low flammability.
In construction, to coat materials to make them fire-resistant or weather-resistant (such as glass fabrics, tiles, stone slabs, cement, or metals). They are also used as additives in paints.
In the electronics sector, thanks to dielectric and water-repellent properties.
In the energy sector, to cover solar collectors and improve their resistance to weather conditions.
In fire-fighting products, such as foams and equipment.
health risks
In recent years, PFAS and their derivatives have been under investigation for their negative impact on the environment and health. Recent reports have highlighted water contamination for daily consumption in Veneto and Lombardy.
Why do PFAS pose a risk to humans?
“Unfortunately, they can penetrate groundwater,” explains Professor Benfenati, “if not well-managed during industrial processing, eventually accumulating in plants. The risk of entering the food chain increases, absorbed into the bloodstream with consequences that are still the subject of numerous scientific studies regarding their impact on health.”
From the results of recent scientific, experimental, and epidemiological studies, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has indicated an increase in cholesterol levels in humans. Other studies have shown alterations in the liver, thyroid, immune and reproductive systems, and certain types of neoplasms. Greater exposure occurs through what we eat and drink.
ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS
PFAS are mobile, persistent, and toxic substances, and the combination of these characteristics makes them dangerous not only for human health but also for the environment.
“Initial assessments of PFAS, also due to their great stability, were insufficiently thorough and forward-looking,” reflects Emilio Benfenati. “Not causing acute damage immediately and having many useful characteristics for industrial production, they were used extremely massively, underestimating some important aspects. These substances, being extremely persistent, accumulate in the environment where they linger for years. Additionally, despite polymers being very stable, the monomers that compose them are smaller and more volatile molecules, such as those found in sprays that, reaching the atmosphere, damage the ozone.”