Dr. Shubhi Shubhi Shubhi Shubhi, a scientific researcher at Chem Trust, discusses the hidden dangers of Forever Chemicals and why PFAS-free products are key to combating the climate crisis.
The dangers of “eternal chemicals”
Also known as Forever Chemicals, Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) are a group of approximately 10,000 synthetic chemicals. PFA is primarily composed of carbon and fluorine bonds, which is one of the most powerful chemical bonds in organic chemistry.
As a result of this extremely strong bond, the PFAS chemical is extremely durable and exhibits a variety of other properties. They are non-stick, have low friction, reduce friction, and exhibit strong resistance to high temperatures. These properties make them a popular choice for use in a wide range of industrial and consumer applications, including textiles, electronics, cosmetics, cooking utensils, and food packaging.
However, this durability also means that once PFAS chemicals enter the environment, they rarely separate generations and last. Even if all PFA production and emissions cease tomorrow, these chemicals will remain environmentally sustainable for future generations. Even more worrying, many PFAs can accumulate in the bodies of people and wildlife who consume water and food contaminated with PFA, or are exposed to products containing PFA. Some PFAs are associated with adverse health effects such as breast, kidney, testicular cancer and testicular cancer in both men and women.
PFAS exposure is also associated with adverse health effects on children, including reduced cognitive, motor and language development in infantile times, increased behavioral problems such as childhood hyperactivity, and reduced vaccine efficacy.
PFAS-free alternatives are available in Green Technology
The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges of our time, and a rapid transition to a green economy is essential. The EU has promised to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and move towards a green economy by investing in green technologies such as electric vehicles, heat pumps, refrigerants, solar panels and green hydrogen.
However, these technologies use PFASSs such as F-Gase (the type of gaseous PFA) and fluoropolymers (the type of plastic PFA). Transitions that rely on the use of toxic chemicals are not called green. It is essential to deal with the climate and pollution crisis and to prevent the environment, body and wildlife from being contaminated with toxic chemicals.
Chem Trust is conducting in-depth research into Green Technologies’ PFAS-free alternatives and finds innovative green technology companies making significant advances in creating alternatives.
Heat pump/refrigerant F-gase PFAS-free alternative
Heat pump/refrigerant uses Hydrofluorolefins (HFOS) – a type of F-GA. Some HFOs are classified in the atmosphere as another PFA called trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). TFA is known for its sustainability in the environment and travels very quickly through the water cycle (very mobile). As a result, it is contaminating drinking water supplies throughout the EU. A surprising level of TFA has also been found in wine samples throughout the EU. Current technology cannot remove TFA in an economically viable way. However, increasing TFA concentrations in the environment can be easily addressed by switching to a PFAS-free alternative. A variety of marketable and economically efficient F-GAS alternatives can be used in domestic, commercial, industrial refrigeration and heat pump applications.
PFAS-free replacement of fluoropolymers in hydrogen ion exchange membranes, solar panels and EV batteries
Green technologies such as green hydrogen, solar panels, and lithium-ion batteries utilize fluoropolymers. Some in the chemical industry claim that fluoropolymers are harmless to PFA. However, scientific research has shown that fluoropolymers release other toxic PFAs at every stage of their life cycle during production, use and disposal, pose unacceptable risks to human health and the environment.
The good news is that solutions that are free from green hydrogen, solar panels and batteries are already sold by several companies.
For more information about F-Gase and fluoropolymer alternatives in Chem Trust briefing, see details.
The cost of omission for PFA is enormous
The cost of omission for PFA contamination is enormous. Research shows that healthcare costs from PFA exposure could cost between 52 million and 8.4 billion euros per year in Europe. Meanwhile, the global social costs of PFAS chemicals could reach 16 trillion euros per year. Innovative European companies have the talent and commitment to creating a competitive PFAS EU economy.
However, these need to be backed up with political will and institutional support. Future legislation periods offer important opportunities to support comprehensive PFAS restrictions that maintain the scope of universal PFAS restrictions.
This is important not only to protect public health and the environment, but also to promote innovation and position the EU as a leader in building a truly sustainable 21st century economy.
What Chem Trust is doing to tackle PFA
Chem Trust believes that the only way to control the PFAS contamination problem is to adjust all 10,000 PFAs in the source, as proposed by the EU’s universal PFAS regulations. The European Commission urges the maintenance of the scope of universal PFAS restrictions to protect both people and nature throughout Europe.
Read our full recommendations for UPFAS restrictions here.
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