What are PFAS and why are they called forever chemicals?

PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a group of chemicals that have been manufactured since the 1940s. These molecules are remarkably good in repelling both water and oil, making them desirable for use in several products such as non-stick Teflon pans, and other water and oil repellant products.

PFAS are very stable compounds that are not broken apart by natural process such as reactions with water or bacterial enzymes. These compounds consist of long carbon chains with fluorine atoms—and the bond between the carbon and fluorine is so strong that it remains intact for years, hence the term “forever chemicals”.

PFAS are present everywhere

These forever chemicals are present in many places—including food and water that we consume and products that we encounter in our lives everyday.

• Drinking water. A study in 2020 showed detection of PFAS in commercial bottled water in the Philippines. The levels detected in drinking water are low and will not likely pose immediate health risk to consumers. However, it is still important to monitor PFAS levels in water.

• Food packaging. Pizza boxes, candy wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, food wrappers in fast-food restaurants, etc.

• Household products. Water repellent clothing, carpets, and furniture, non-stick cookware, paints, sealants, etc.

• Personal care products. Present in some shampoo, dental floss, and cosmetics

They can also be found in fire-extinguishing foam, in soil and water near landfills and disposal sites, and in manufacturing facilities that use PFAS.

Are these chemicals bad for me?

Studies have shown that exposure to high levels of PFAS may be harmful to human health. Scientists have barely scratched the surface in terms of the health effects of these compounds because there are thousands of PFAS with varying toxicity levels and effects to humans.

What do we currently know based on scientific studies?

• Increased risk to some types of cancer

• Increased cholesterol levels

• Fertility issues and reproductive effects

• Developmental effects in children

• Interference with body’s hormones

• Reduced immune system response

Forever no more?

A study has found a cost effective way to degrade perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids or PFCAs - a group of PFAS. Using only two inexpensive compounds (DMSO and sodium hydroxide), and heating at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, the compounds degraded in 24 hours. Current solutions to the PFAS problem include incineration—which only contributes to air pollution, and adsorbents which do not necessarily degrade the compounds.

This study is a big step towards solving the PFAS problem, but scientists still need to figure out how to scale this discovery to degrade large amounts of PFAS in the environment.

Other Interesting News

Did you know?

The Department of Science and Technology has a mobile app for their latest updates on S&T. You can download the DOST App via Google Play through this link.