Explainer / What are PFAS or forever chemicals?

• According to a new study by environmental scientists, rainwater is no longer safe to drink anywhere on Earth.

• Rainwater across the planet contains hazardous chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), shows the study released by researchers at University of Stockholm.

• All PFAS are man-made with no natural sources and there are thousands of PFAS in use. They are extremely persistent in the environment, or break down into extremely persistent other PFAS. This property of extremely high persistence has earned them the nickname “forever chemicals”. 

• Although in the industrial world people don’t often drink rainwater, many around the world expect it to be safe to drink and it supplies many of our drinking water sources. For example, in western Australia it is common to collect rainwater and drink it without any treatment.

What are PFAS?

• The per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. 

• PFAS are manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. 

• There are thousands of different PFAS, some of which have been more widely used and studied than others.

• Fluoropolymer coatings can be in a variety of products. These include clothing, furniture, adhesives, food packaging, heat-resistant non-stick cooking surfaces, and the insulation of electrical wire. 

Many PFAS are a concern because they:

i) Do not break down in the environment.

ii) Can move through soils and contaminate drinking water sources.

iii) Build up (bioaccumulate) in fish and wildlife.

• PFAS are found in rivers and lakes and in many types of animals on land and in the water.

People can be exposed to PFAS by:

i) Working in occupations such as firefighting or chemicals manufacturing and processing.

ii) Drinking water contaminated with PFAS.

iii) Eating certain foods that may contain PFAS, including fish.

iv) Swallowing contaminated soil or dust.

v) Breathing air containing PFAS.

vi) Using products made with PFAS or that are packaged in materials containing PFAS.

PFAS are harmful to health 

PFAS have been associated with a wide range of serious health harms, including cancer, learning and behavioral problems in children, infertility and pregnancy complications, increased cholesterol, and immune system problems. 

Exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to:

i) Reproductive effects such as decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women.

ii) Developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes.

iii) Increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.

iv) Reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response.

v) Interference with the body’s natural hormones.

vi) Increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity.

PFAS removal and water treatment

• A wide range of methods are emerging for the treatment of soils and water contaminated with PFAS. Common methods for cleaning contaminated water include granular activated carbon, anion-exchange resins, chemical oxidation, electrochemical oxidation, reverse osmosis, and sonolysis. 

• Soil stabilization, washing, and thermal treatment approaches are also being developed for treating PFAS-contaminated soils. 

• Importantly, these treatment methods focus only on ‘hotspot’ contaminated areas and often require a high energy input to be effective.

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