per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Also known as perfluorinated alkylated substances, PFASs, fluorinated surfactants, PFAS, fluorosurfactants, forever chemical, forever chemicals
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS or PFASs) are a group of synthetic organofluorine chemical compounds that have multiple fluorine atoms attached to an alkyl chain; 7 million such chemicals are listed in PubChem.
Article
44 sectionsContents
- Definition
- Sample chemicals
- Uses
- Products
- Fluorosurfactants
- Market
- Environmental effects
- Prevalence in rain, soil, water bodies, and air
- Bioaccumulation and biomagnification
- Health effects
- Pregnancy and lactation issues
- Fertility issues
- Human developmental issues
- Liver issues
- Cancers
- High cholesterol
- Ulcerative colitis
- Thyroid disease
- Responses to knowledge of harmful effects
- Ending manufacture
- Suppressing information on health effects
- Litigation and regulations
- Occupational exposure
- Exposure pathways
- Professional ski wax technicians
- Manufacturing workers
- Firefighters
- Exposure after September 11 attacks
- Mitigation measures
- Remediation
- Water treatment
- Stripping and enrichment
- Destruction
- Theoretical and early-stage methods
- Chemical treatment
- Constructed wetlands
- Health equality and sustainability
- Analytical methods
- In popular culture
- Films
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS or PFASs) are a group of synthetic organofluorine chemical compounds that have multiple fluorine atoms attached to an alkyl chain; 7 million such chemicals are listed in PubChem.
Widespread use of PFAS began in 1938 with the invention of Teflon, a fluoropolymer coating that resists heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. They are used in a wide variety of products including waterproof fabric, yoga pants, carpets, shampoo, mobile phone screens, wall paint, furniture, adhesives, food packaging, firefighting foam, electrical insulation, and cosmetics.