PFAS Points Part 1

26 November, 2024

Let's talk about PFAS!

In our new series PFAS Points, we want to introduce you to the topic of PFAS: What are PFAS? Why are they so dangerous? What is being done about them? And how does PROMISCES support the fight against PFAS? Welcome to part 1: What are PFAS?

 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals with a special structure: They have a water-repelling tail and a water-attracting head. This structure allows them to act like soap: PFAS are water-, fat- and dirt-repellent. Further, their structure makes them chemically and thermally very stable, meaning they cannot easily be decomposed, but stay in the environment forever. That’s why they are also called “forever chemicals”. There are thousands of different PFAS chemicals, and the more well-known examples include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS).

Because of their practical properties, they can be found in numerous household items, such as nonstick cookware, stain repellents, and waterproof materials like clothing. They are also utilized in industrial sectors, including firefighting foams and electronics manufacturing.

But where is the problem with PFAS? Most PFAS are toxic, and since they are persistent, they accumulate in the environment and in the bodies of humans and animals. There, they can cause severe health problems. As long as PFAS continue to be released, the concentration in the environment and exposure levels for humans and other species will keep increasing. Even if all PFAS emissions were to stop immediately, these chemicals would still remain in the environment and affect us for many generations.

With this in mind, the reuse of water is a major problem: Water contaminated with PFAS cannot be reused and returned to the water cycle. But due to increasing water consumption, industrial pollution and long dry periods, the transition towards a circular economy for water is becoming more and more important.

In PROMISCES, we develop solutions to tackle PFAS in our water resources so that water can be safely reused.