Timeline Stories Archive - PFAS

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.

2000s – More PFAS F-gases are introduced (HFOs)

Tuesday, November 19th, 2024

As a result of discovering HCFC & HFCs high global warming potential, many countries including the EU and UK committed to phasing down their use through an amendment to the Montreal Protocol, called the Kigali amendment. This agreement aims to reduce HFC consumption by over 80% within 30 years, preventing up to 0.5°C of…

1970s & 1980s – Global warming & PFAS F-gases introduced

Tuesday, November 19th, 2024

To replace CFCs, industries turned to Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). While these don’t harm the ozone layer, they have other environmental impacts, firstly they are extremely potent greenhouse gases, with a global warming potential (GWP) up to 1,000 times greater than carbon dioxide[7]. In addition, some HCFCs and HFCs contribute to PFAS emissions,…

1930s – Ozone damaging F-gases invented (CFCs)

Tuesday, November 19th, 2024

In the 1930s, the chemical industry introduced Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which quickly became popular for their use in refrigeration and aerosols. However, by the 1980s, scientists discovered that these gases were causing serious environmental damage, particularly by creating a hole in the ozone layer[5]. In response, CFCs were restricted through the 1987 Montreal Protocol, an…