What is PFAS?

Per- and poly-fluorinate alkyl substances are both known as “PFAS” or the “Forever Chemicals”. PFAS is grouped into polymers and non-polymers. Both of these are man-made chemicals have been manufactured for centuries in food packaging, stain repellents, textiles, fire-fighting foam, cleaning products, and military training equipment. PFAS chemicals are beginning to be phased out in the United States in order to eliminate the use of PFOA contamination. PFOA and PFOS are still manufactured internationally and used in consumer products. The unregulated PFAS compound is also known as “GenX” to the large American chemical company that use it in manufacturing process.

PFAS compounds developed their name “Forever Chemicals” from the evidence that the compounds will not break down in the environment which allows them to survive “forever”. Due to the unique molecular structure of PFAS compounds—it is extremely difficult to break it down.

PFAS compounds are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that over time will accumulate in the human body and be harmful to your health. Exposure to PFAS has shown several adverse health effects such as cancer, liver and kidney failure, decreased fertility, and thyroid disease.  These chemicals have difficulty breaking down in the environment as well as the human body and accumulate over time.

PFAS compounds were originally manufactured to make our lives easier by having products that were resistant to oil, water, heat or stains. Some of these products include:

Household Items: Cleaning supplies, jackets, bedding, and stain-resistant carpet, and athletic clothing

Cosmetic Products: Eyeliner, mascara, foundation, concealer, dental floss, etc.

Food Packaging: Pizza boxes, containers, microwave popcorn bags, hamburger wrappers.

Firefighting Foam: Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) was formulated with a PFAS chemical that helped extinguish fires more efficiently. Today, military bases that have used AFFF have seen significantly high levels of PFAS in their water resources.

PFAS is released into the air, solid waste, and water waste which then is discharged into drinking water, groundwater, rainwater, and surface water. Eventually the water is consumed by humans and living organisms where PFAS collects in the body over time. The map below depicts how PFAS materials can infiltrate the human body.

PFAS is identified as chains of carbon and fluorine atoms with a carboxylic acid, alcohol, or sulfonic acid group. PFAS can be broken down into a number of subcategories as shown below.

• PFAS Treatment at Airforce Base
• PFAS Landfill Contamination