PFAS stands for per- or poly-fluorinated alkyl substances. They are a group of over 10,000 industrial chemicals widely used in everyday products from food packaging to bike oil and are now widespread throughout our natural environment. 

Many PFAS are known to cause harm to both the environment and human health. These so called ‘forever chemicals’ are highly persistent, mobile and have been connected with health concerns including, cancer, immune system disorders and fertility issues. Some PFAS can take over 1,000 years to degrade in the environment, meaning the pollution we cause today will last for generations to come.  

We are concerned about the toxicity of PFAS, its effects on our health and our environment, and its continued and unrelenting use in so many of our industrial processes and consumer products. 

PFAS are persistent and mobile. Often referred to as the ‘Forever Chemicals’, PFAS do not easily breakdown. Once they enter our environment, they move and they accumulate, but they don’t go away. The PFAS being made, used and thrown away today have the potential to continue polluting our environment for thousands of years. 

PFAS now pollutes water, soil and air, and has been found in hundreds of wildlife species across the globe, from polar bears to bottlenose dolphins. These ‘forever chemicals’ have been connected with immune system, kidney and liver issues, hormonal disruption, neurological damage and even harm to reproduction, posing a significant threat to wildlife species already vulnerable to growing environmental pressures.  

These ‘forever chemicals’ have also been shown to negatively impact soil health by altering soil microbial functions and reducing the biodiversity and connectivity of soil bacteria.  

As there are so many different PFAS (over 10,000!), the terminology can be tricky. There are many different names for PFAS chemicals collectively, and individual PFAS groups and chemicals. These are the most commonly found on product packaging: 

• PFAS – per– or poly-fluorinated alkyl substances, the overall group of 10,000+ chemicals. Can also be generally referred to as Forever Chemicals. 

• PTFE – polytetrafluoroethylene. A PFAS subgroup of fluoropolymers, often found in coatings like Teflon and bike oils.  

• PFC – poly/perfluorinated compounds i.e., PFAS compounds. Waterproof clothing is often labelled as PFC-free.  

• PFO – perfluorooctane i.e., PFOA and PFOS (and similar) PFAS compounds  

• GenX chemicals – PFAS developed by DuPont to replace PFOA as production aid in making fluoropolymer plastics (e.g. used in Teflon). EPA report suggest up to x100 more toxic than PFOA and PFOS.  

The confusing terminology doesn’t end with the group name. Specific chemicals within the group often have multiple names. For examples, PFOA, a well-known and well-studied PFAS, is often referred to as C8.  

Unfortunately, very few PFAS are banned. Fidra and other NGO’s all over the world are working towards group PFAS restrictions, as banning one PFAS at a time is an impossible task given the number of chemicals involved. Those that are banned under the Stockholm convention are listed below. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is a global treaty designed to eliminate or limit the production, use, and release of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

• PFOS and PFOSF – perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF), a PFAS used in industrial processes, consumer products and firefighting foam, until banned in 2009 under the Stockholm convention.   

• PFOA – perfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS chemical, global ban under Stockholm convention from 2019, previously used in many products and industry, including Teflon.   

• PFHxS – perfluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid, PFAS chemical, substance of high concern, Global ban announced 2022 under the Stockholm convention.  

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA, or CF₃-COOH) is a short chained PFAS that is a common breakdown product of other PFAS used in products such as F-gases, fluoropolymers and pesticides. The scientific community are becoming increasingly concerned about the potentially harmful properties of TFA and increasing levels in the environment, particularly in water sources.

TFA belongs to the same subgroup as PFOA, one of the most toxic and well known PFAS. TFA is the smallest molecule in this group with the shortest perfluorinated carbon chain. Scientists have identified at least 2,000 known precursors of TFA, which are any compounds containing at least one carbon-bound trifluoromethyl moiety (C–CF3). These precursors can degrade into TFA biologically and photolytically in soils, waters and sediments.

More brands are moving away from using PFAS in their products, due to the health and environmental concerns surrounding these chemicals.

As a consumer, choosing PFASfree options is a powerful way to show retailers you want to buy products which do not inflict harm on others. Think of it as voting with your money. For help and inspiration, look at our list of PFASfree products and businesses, here.

At Fidra we understand that it can be hard to find PFASfree products, or understand which ones are safer to use. That is why we are calling for an urgent transition towards a PFAS-free economy in the UK, restricting all avoidable uses of PFAS whilst supporting innovation towards safer alternatives.

Since many industries are already working to phase PFAS out of their supply chains and a growing number of PFAS-free solutions are readily available. This must now be supported by a robust regulatory framework to ensure a just transition and level playing field across UK businesses.

You can also write to your MP to express your concerns and support for a wide reaching PFAS restriction. 

They are unlikely to be labelled, but it is very likely you have products in your home, your shopping basket and your lunch tray that contain PFAS.

Given the oil and water-repellent properties of PFAS, and their wide use as non-stick and lubricating agents, PFAS are found in many of our everyday products. Common items containing hidden PFAS are water-proof clothing and shoes, stain-resistant school uniforms and office shirts, grease-proof baking paper and cardboard food packaging. PFAS is also in bike oils, ski waxes, paints, cleaning products, make-up and shampoos.

You can learn more about which products have PFAS in them and why, here.

But don’t panic! Some companies understand the risks associated with PFAS and avoid using these chemicals in their products. Check out our list of PFASfree products here.

PFAS are present in many everyday items, from food packaging, toiletries and non-stick cookware to clothing and carpets. These chemicals can leak into our environment during production, use and disposal, and now contaminate our blood, water, air and food.  

Exposure can occur through drinking contaminated water, eating food exposed to PFAS (via their packaging or from their environment, e.g. certain fish, PFAS pesticide sprayed crops), and using everyday products treated with these chemicals, such as nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and some personal care items. Indoor dust also collects PFAS from household items, leading to inhalation risks, and people living or working near contaminated sites or in industries that use PFAS, like firefighting or manufacturing, face higher exposure.  

That’s very much an individual choice. From an environmental standpoint, we don’t want to encourage waste, but it is possible that non-stick pans make up part of your PFAS exposure, especially when the coating is old and flaking. When it does come time to replace your cookware, then we’d definitely recommend ensuring you buy PFAS free, and we have information on PFAS free products page that can help you with that.   

There is some, but limited, environmental monitoring for PFOA and PFOS, two well-known and heavily restricted forms of PFAS, but there’s very little knowledge of wider PFAS. Methodology to test all PFAS does exist, it’s very expensive and not widely used at the moment. In short, the measurement process is complex and requires specific laboratory set-ups, so no easy at home tests, and you need to be specific in which types of PFAS you want to measure. You may be able to find a commercial lab that would analyse samples such as ALS labs, but it’s likely to be expensive. 

As far as we are aware Eurofins is the only testing provider that can look at PFAS blood sampling. We believe the relevant laboratories are not UK based but will accept transited samples.  

Information on pesticide active ingredients is freely available and so this can be cross-referenced with definitions of PFAS. There are multiple definitions used for PFAS; Fidra refers to the OECD as the most comprehensive definition, see full definition here.  Our latest PFAS Pesticides Report includes the PFAS active ingredients currently used in UK pesticides.  

PFAS may also be used in pesticide inert ingredients however this information does not need to be disclosed by manufacturers. We strongly encourage farmers and agronomists to discuss PFAS use in pesticides with suppliers and to support our calls for greater transparency of pesticide ingredients. For more information, please contact info@fidra.org.uk   

Fidra are working directly with farmers and agronomists to help protect soil, crops and the wider environment from PFAS pollution. We’re asking farmers and agronomists to support sustainable alternatives to pesticides, such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), wherever possible, and where pesticides are still used, to talk with suppliers about the potential presence of PFAS.  

If you are a farmer or agronomist working to reduce pesticide use or would like to know more about PFAS in pesticides, get in touch: info@fidra.org.uk.