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. 

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 and its persistence in the environment. We are therefore calling for urgent action to prevent further PFAS pollution and to ensure high standards of protection for both the environment and public health. 

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 hundreds 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.  

PFAS have also been shown to negatively impact soil health by altering soil microbial functions and reducing the biodiversity and connectivity of soil bacteria.  

PFAS are present in many everyday items, from food packaging and clothing to pesticides and firefighting foams. These chemicals can leak into the environment during production, use and disposal, and now contaminate water, soil, wildlife and people around the world.  

Exposure can occur through drinking contaminated water, eating food exposed to PFAS, and using everyday products treated with these chemicals, such as non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and some personal care items. Indoor dust also collects PFAS from household items, leading to exposure through inhalation. People living or working near contaminated sites or in industries that use PFAS may face higher exposure risks.  

It is not legally required for PFAS to be disclosed on product labels or to be shared along supply chains. The terminology used to describe PFAS can also vary making it even more difficult to identify. We’ve included some of the most commonly used PFAS terms below:  

• PFAS (per– or poly-fluorinated alkyl substances) or ‘Forever Chemicals’ – This refers to the overall group of 10,000+ 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 – PFAS developed by DuPont to replace PFOA as production aids in making fluoropolymer plastics (e.g. used in Teflon).  

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

When looking for PFAS-free alternatives, it is important to ensure the product is free from ALL PFAS. Some products are often labelled for example as PFOS & PFOA free, but these are only two PFAS that are already internationally restricted. Products with this label may still contain other replacement PFAS.  

If you want to know more about PFAS use in products, we highly recommend reaching out to your retailer or supplier of choice. Expressing concern about PFAS can also help demonstrate increasing demand for PFAS-free alternatives, as well as the need for improved standards of chemical transparency.  

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.

Unfortunately, only a handful of PFAS are internationally restricted. Fidra, alongside other NGOs and wider stakeholders across the globe, are calling for a group-based restriction of PFAS, rather than a slow and ineffective ‘one-by-one’ approach. Those that are currently 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.  

Contact your local representative. Sharing your concerns about PFAS with your local MP is a powerful way to ensure forever chemicals remain high on the political agenda. Find out more about our calls to action.

Contact your retailer or supplier of choice about PFAS use in their products. We understand that it is not always possible to identify PFAS-free alternatives given the breadth of products that are likely to contain PFAS and the lack of clear labelling, but expressing your concern directly with retailers, suppliers and manufacturers helps to demonstrate increasing demand for PFAS-free alternatives, as well as the need for improved standards of chemical transparency.

Keep the conversation going. To stay up to date on PFAS news and further opportunities to engage, make sure to follow us on social media and keep the conversation going by sharing our resources with others.

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This is 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 recommend seeking out PFAS-free alternatives.   

The testing process for PFAS can be quite complex, expensive and isn’t yet widely available. There are currently no easy at-homes tests for PFAS in water. However, you may be able to find commercial labs that offer PFAS testing of water samples such as ALS labs, Eurofins, and Battelle.

We are aware that Eurofins offer blood testing services for PFAS. The relevant laboratories may not be UK based but will accept transited samples.