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Research and regulations around PFAS compliance are constantly being updated, making it hard to keep up. Here are some of the common questions about PFAS compliance.
The PFAS family contains thousands of chemicals that are actively monitored or regulated, and there are many others no longer in use or that may not be monitored at the moment. In addition, because PFAS are synthetic, there is no ceiling to the number of PFAS that could hypothetically exist in the future without regulatory intervention.
A number of different regulatory bodies and NGOs around the globe track PFAS, and because each of them uses a different formal definition of what are PFAS chemicals, the number of PFAS chemicals can differ between regulations. There is no official list or number of PFAS chemicals. This can make it difficult for businesses and consumers to understand their responsibilities and restrictions while using PFAS.
For instance, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) maintains a list of over 4,700 PFAS substances. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies over 16,000.
Rather than focusing on the total number of PFAS, manufacturers should identify which PFAS are regulated or restricted (or are being considered for future regulation) in their relevant markets.
The PFAS family of chemicals contains substances that are often used in the manufacture of industrial and consumer goods. Here are some of the more common ones and just a few examples of what the PFAS is used for (note that these substances may have several uses beyond what’s listed here):
PFAS are found in essentially every category of consumer goods on the market. PFAS can be found in industrial parts and materials as well. In some cases, there may be PFAS-free versions available, but some specialized materials may not exist without the use of PFAS to give them their unique properties.
So, where are PFAS found in different categories of goods and materials? Here is a list of some examples:
Consumer Goods Where PFAS Are Found:
Industrial Goods Where PFAS Are Found:
PFAS are widely used across various industries to achieve certain product benefits or allow certain manufacturing processes to take place. Because of their strong chemical bonds, they are resistant to water, stains, grease, and high temperatures. Businesses looking to determine what are PFAS used for in their processes should identify products or materials that have properties commonly associated with PFAS :
In addition, the durability of PFAS makes them desirable in industrial sectors — including aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics — and they play a critical role in the production of components that must withstand challenging environments.
The same qualities that make PFAS so durable and resistant to heat and degradation also mean that PFAS do not break down over time and accumulate in the soil and drinking water, often bioaccumulating in the human body. In fact, according to national health authorities in the U.S., approximately 97% of Americans have PFAS in their bloodstreams.
Studies have shown PFAS may have adverse human effects. They could lead to health conditions such as:
According to current research from the EPA, PFAS exposure can take place through many different routes:
Regulators like the EPA and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) are increasingly concerned about PFAS. They are present in water sources, soil, and air, and in consumer and industrial products. They are also commonly used in manufacturing. This makes it difficult to avoid PFAS, so there is a high exposure rate for the everyday consumer and worker.
Their persistent nature also makes PFAS difficult to remove from soil and drinking water, with traditional water-filtration technologies proving ineffective at mitigating PFAS contamination. However, there are a number of filtration methods that have been found effective by the EPA, including activated carbon treatment, ion exchange treatment, and high-pressure membranes.
Several lawsuits have been led by U.S. state and municipal governments against PFAS manufacturers over drinking water contamination. In addition, the EPA finalized the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation that sets PFAS contamination limits for six types of PFAS in drinking water.
On April 17, 2024, the EPA also classified thePFOA and PFOS as “hazardous” under the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund.
For more information on PFAS regulations, visit our PFAS reporting and state requirements page.