With the EU's proposed ban, we wanted to know what the US is doing about PFAS as well.
PFAS chemicals, known to accumulate in animals and humans after prolonged exposure, have been a point of contention for decades throughout the world.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, are man-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since around the 1950s.
These are ingredients in various everyday products. PFAS are used to keep food from sticking to packaging or cookware, make clothes and carpets resistant to stains, and create firefighting foam that is more effective.
PFAS molecules have a chain of linked carbon and fluorine atoms. Because the carbon-fluorine bond is one of the strongest, these chemicals do not degrade easily in the environment, says the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Due to the longer degradation, PFAS, aptly called “the Forever Chemicals,” have been found in public drinking water systems, soil, air, food, and more.
Both humans and animals become exposed due to PFAS-contaminated drinking water or food, using products made with PFAS, or breathing air containing the chemicals.
EU's Proposed Ban
Consumer brands in the EU worth more than €130 billion want PFAS chemicals banned.
A total of 108 companies dedicated to phasing out PFAS chemicals from products and processes have joined the PFAS Movement, an advocacy campaign initiated by environmental NGO ChemSec that calls for comprehensive regulation of PFAS.
The members comprise many well-known brands representing various industries like fashion, home goods, food, and personal care. The members are worth more than €130 billion in total revenue.
“A European ban on PFAS chemicals will have huge repercussions for all manufacturing industries and require much work for companies in the global supply chain. However, some parts of the industry oppose this ban, claiming that the change is too big to be justified. That’s why the support for a ban from such influential consumer brands as those in the PFAS Movement is so important. It’s a strong sign that businesses want to eliminate PFAS chemicals in products and processes,” said Anne-Sofie Bäckar, executive director at ChemSec.
One of the most well-known product categories for PFAS use are kitchen utensils, where PFAS non-stick pans are very common, even though there are alternatives.