PFAS Here, PFAS There, PFAS is Absolutely Everywhere

While this author is not in a position to pass judgement regarding the accuracy of this work, if it is accurate it suggests that grouping PFAS using fundamental classification criteria based on composition and structure can be used to identify individual PFAS-or groups of PFAS-that are appropriate candidates for subjection to risk assessment protocols. [...]a number of regulatory bodies are lumping all fluorine compounds together as PFAS, even if they are not PFAS and do not fit the current European definition (Figure 1).6 PFAS (working) definition The U.S. definition of PFAS is slightly different; PFAS is defined as a chemical substance that structurally contains at least one of the following three substructures: (1) R-(CF2)-CF(R')R", where both the CF2 and CF moieties are saturated carbons; (2) R-CF2OCF2-R', where R and R' can either be F, O, or saturated carbons; (3) CF3C(CF3)R'R", where R' and R"" can either be F or saturated carbons. According to Rich Czarnecki, Vice President of Micro Powders, Inc., in 2023, "Predictions of the market shifting away from PFAS additives held true, with dramatically increased attention on PTFE-free alternative and bio-based additives. The EU, for example, is evaluating the PFAS issue under the purview of REACH/ECHA (European Chemicals Agency), with particular emphasis on the following four chemicals but still within the context of banning all PFAS: * Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA-of significant concern in the U.S., China, and EU) that, along with PFOS, was the earliest PFAS to cause a red flag to be raised, as well as the most extensively studied. * Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS-of significant concern in the U.S., China, and EU), subject in the United States to significant federal regulatory activity, along with PFOA, during the period 2000-2010. * In 2006, the EU Directive 2006/122/EC restricted the use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, and in 2019 the EU signed the International Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which banned the production and use of PFOA, its salts, and PFOA-related compounds, with exemptions only for medical textiles and certain firefighting foams.