Non-polymer PFAS can build up in blood protein of animals, and is not always removed quickly. This means that predators eating PFAS-contaminated food will have higher levels in their bloodstream, and concentrations can increase up the food chain. Studies suggest that build up of PFAS is similar to those of other Persistent Organic Pollutants such as DDT.PFAS are estimated to be settling in arctic regions at rates of tens to hundreds of kilograms per year (25-850kg per year), depending on the specific PFAS chemical in question. Certain PFAS are released as gases to the environment and are blown a long way by wind and air currents in the atmosphere,. These gas PFAS will over time degrade to more persistent chemicals like PFOS and PFOA. This may be one reason why PFAS of environmental concern have been found in remote regions such as the Arctic as well as near PFAS production sitesPFAS including PFOS and PFOA have been found in air samples around Europe. The chemicals are found in small quantities, but appear in almost all samples tested. PFAS enters the atmosphere both from factories and the air inside our homes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17554424 PFAS is found in treated waste water from industrial and domestic sources and has been found in both rivers and groundwater. Conventional drinking water processes will not remove PFAS.PFAS-coated clothes that are thrown away will often end up either incinerated or in landfill. Unless incinerated at very high temperatures (>1000oC), fluorinated polymers could release more harmful PFAS during burning. PFAS of environmental concern have also been found in landfill leachate. Non-polymer PFAS are used in the production of fluorinated polymers. The manufacture of stain-resistant finishes generally releases these PFASs into the environment, both by air and water emissions. They are very hard to remove during water treatment. Workers in textiles factories are some of the population most exposed to these potentially harmful chemicals. Small quantities of PFAS will be removed during wash and wear of products containing PFAS. This includes fluorinated polymers used on stain-resistant coatings, and non-polymers that remain on clothes after production (Lassen et al. 2015).Most UK waste still ends up in landfill, and this includes PFAS-containing products. Studies have shown that the liquid coming from landfills (known as leachate) often contain non-polymer PFAS chemicals. In the USA the total quantities were estimated at 563-638 kg in 2013. To properly break down PFAS chemicals high temperature (1000oC or more) incineration is recommended. Incineration of municipal waste does not necessarily reach these temperatures (min temp. required is 850oC), and the incomplete breakdown could release non-polymer PFAS.Wash and wear of clothing that contains PFAS-based stain-resistant or water repellent finishes release PFAS to the environment. Coatings are thought to lose effectiveness after 20-30 washes. This can include non-polymer PFAS, remnant from production or as a break-down product of side-chain polymers (Lassen et al. 2015). The manufacture of stain-resistant finishes releases PFAS into the environment, both by air and water emissions. PFAS are very hard to remove during water treatment. Industrial emissions are estimated to be the biggest source of these chemicals to the environment.

News and Blogs

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has launched a new inquiry to investigate the risks posed by PFAS 'forever chemicals'.

22nd April 2025

The UK’s Environmental Audit Committee launches an inquiry into PFAS

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has launched a new inquiry to investigate the risks posed by PFAS ‘forever chemicals’.

rivers pollution

27th March 2025

Fidra joins BBC Radio 4’s Rare Earth podcast

Find out more about Fidra’s latest BBC podcast appearance, alongside other PFAS experts, and hear why we need a restriction on all avoidable uses of PFAS in the UK.

A letter from leading scientists calls on the UK Government to regulate all PFAS as one group, as proposed by the EU, as the most effective way to tackle PFAS pollution.

15th November 2024

Scientific experts call for a broad PFAS restriction in the UK

A letter from leading scientists calls on the UK Government to regulate all PFAS as one group, as proposed by the EU, as the most effective way to tackle PFAS pollution.

Growing evidence of ‘forever chemicals’ in UK water sources highlights the urgent need to address widespread PFAS pollution.

18th June 2024

PFAS: The Unwelcome Guests in Our Water Sources

Growing evidence of ‘forever chemicals’ in UK water sources highlights the urgent need to address widespread PFAS pollution.

Evidence demonstrates the alarming state of global PFAS pollution and the potentially profound implications should we not transition towards a PFAS free economy.

28th March 2024

PFAS: A Global Contamination Crisis

Evidence demonstrates the alarming state of global PFAS pollution and the potentially profound implications should we not transition towards a PFAS free economy.

Compostable food packaging is becoming a increasingly popular alternative to single use plastic, but PFAS in compostable packaging can enter into the environment

30th November 2023

PFAS: passing from your coffee cup and cutlery to compost and crops

Compostable food packaging is becoming a increasingly popular alternative to single use plastic, but PFAS in compostable packaging can enter into the environment

The Soil Association has opened a consultation on new proposed changes to their packaging standard, including new restrictions to PFAS in packaging for organic food products.

30th August 2023

Soil Association’s new standard bans all PFAS in food packaging

The Soil Association has opened a consultation on new proposed changes to their packaging standard, including new restrictions to PFAS in packaging for organic food products.

Is non-stick cookware safe and what are the alternatives? Non-stick cookware is a source of PFAS exposure for many and linked to multiple health risks.

10th May 2023

Non-Stick Cookware: A Sticky Situation?

Is non-stick cookware safe and what are the alternatives? Non-stick cookware is a source of PFAS exposure for many and linked to multiple health risks.

The long awaited PFAS Risk Management Options Analysis (RMOA) was finally published earlier this month by the UK’s Health and Safety Executive, working in partnership with the Environment Agency.

20th April 2023

UK recommendations to combat PFAS pollution are finally published but are just the first step

The long awaited PFAS Risk Management Options Analysis (RMOA) was finally published earlier this month by the UK’s Health and Safety Executive, working in partnership with the Environment Agency.