Understanding PFAS: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

Carole Anne Wilkinson, Product and Chemical Stewardship Leader at W.L. Gore & Associates, examines regulation around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Rash decisions on the ban of all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals could drastically impact manufacturing and the UK economy; therefore, a purposeful and balanced conversation is much needed.

Environmental NGOs in the EU call for a complete ban of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, which would mean the complete phase-out of its production and use by 2030.

PFAS is an umbrella term for a diverse group of thousands of different chemicals – gases, liquids, and solids – used in everyday products, such as textiles, cars, packaging, and mobile phones. Not one of them is the same. To ban all 10,000+ PFAS would be inappropriate, and it would cause severe disruptions to various manufacturing supply chains.

The science: PFAS

In the UK, we should watch closely how EU regulation plays out and seek to learn from the challenges they are experiencing. Regulation is coming in the UK, albeit at a slower pace.

It’s essential to recognise that not all PFAS are the same. Classifying them together in one broad stroke is like categorising all types of cars as equally harmful to the environment – where there’s a vast difference between old gas guzzlers and modern electric vehicles.

So, it is with PFAS. They behave differently and should be considered individual chemicals throughout the regulation process. Some PFAS and many of its chemical substances can be used safely with the proper measures in place. For example, the fluoropolymers that we use are safe for their intended use and do not have the same chemical properties as those PFAS found widely in the environment.

A look at fluoropolymers

Fluoropolymers are of great value to the society at large. The medical industry has, for instance, been deploying a vascular graft made from fluoropolymer into hundreds of thousands of patients for decades to save their lives. In aviation, fluoropolymers are essential for properly functioning various critical and demanding applications.

Many fluoropolymers are used within essential component parts that make products that we rely on daily, from mobile phones to satellites.

Many of these small but crucial component parts are enabling the decarbonisation of transport and numerous sustainable innovations, such as renewable energy heat pumps, which can help the EU reach climate neutrality by 2050. It’s safe to assume that many of our global targets to help save the planet will not be met with an outright ban on these high-performance materials.

Supply chains and manufacturing

Furthermore, it’s hard to underestimate an outright ban’s impact on supply chains and manufacturing.

Consider the UK car industry. An outright ban on PFAS would present it with enormous challenges. The industry does not yet have known alternatives for using fluoropolymers in traction batteries, fuel cells, seals and vehicle electronics.

This is just one industry, but the same issue can be replicated across telecommunications, aviation, medicine and more. The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) has warned, “Manufacturers will not invest in the EU if they know they will miss key components in their value chains in the near future.” (1) Cefic and other EU trade associations, therefore, call for balanced and targeted regulatory measures on PFAS.

Unfortunately, no global, harmonised PFAS classification or regulation system exists today.

A purposeful and balanced conversation

We want to help people understand that not all PFAS are the same and that some of them do not pose an unacceptable risk but provide high societal value, which an outright ban would severely impact. Let’s work together and start a purposeful and balanced conversation.

Reference

1. https://cefic.org/media-corner/newsroom/cefic-statement-on-the-pfas-restriction/