What Are PFAs (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)? “Forever Chemicals”
PFAS are organofluorine chemical compounds with several fluorine atoms connected to an alkyl chain that are synthesized. PFA chemical manufacturers have been widely reconsidering their use of these compounds in their product range due to a lack of research to identify how toxic these substances are to people. Cleaning goods, food packaging, personal hygiene items, cosmetics, fire extinguishing foams, coatings, and many other products contain PFAS. Furthermore, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals may reach the environment as a result of soil, water source, air, animal, and even human contamination.
Where can PFAs be found?
PFAs have slowly built up in the environment as a result of their numerous varied applications. These dangerous substances are present in a variety of products, including food, rubber, textiles, and other items.
The vast majority of PFAS remain in the environment. PFAS are recognized to be longer-lasting in the environment than any other manmade chemical. Because PFAS persist in the environment, people and other species will be exposed to progressively larger quantities of these chemicals as long as they are released. Even if all PFAS emissions were to cease tomorrow, they would remain in the environment and in people for numerous generations.
Both direct and indirect sources, such as PFAS-using commercial and industrial facilities, consumer goods (including cosmetics, clothing, and ski wax), and food contact materials, release PFAS into the environment. They may be exposed to them every day at work, at home, and in the environment, as well as through the food and drink people eat.
EPA Finalizes Rule to Require Reporting of Enhanced PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory
By removing an exemption that permitted facilities to forego reporting information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) when those chemicals were used in small concentrations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that enhances reporting on PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). Since removing this reporting exemption, federal facilities that make or use any of the 189 TRI-listed PFAS, as well as covered industry sectors like manufacturing, metal mining, and chemical manufacturing, will no longer be able to avoid disclosing the quantities of PFAS they manage or release into the environment. PFAS are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they are used in many products at low concentrations.
EPA’s TRI Toxics Tracker
Facilities in the manufacturing, metal mining, electric power generation, chemical manufacturing, and hazardous waste treatment industries, as well as federal facilities that produce, process, or use significant amounts of TRI-listed chemicals in other ways, are required to submit TRI data to the EPA on an annual basis. Quantities of chemicals that were disposed of as waste or released into the environment are included in the statistics. Communities can find out how local facilities handle identified substances by using the information gathered by TRI. Informed decision-making by businesses, governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, and the general public is further supported by the data gathered.
What Does This Mean For Your Industry?
The regulation could impact your business in many ways such as forcing businesses to seek alternate goods and manufacturing processes. The restriction will also apply to PFAS-containing goods imports internationally. Because PFAS is used in so many products, the prohibition will have an impact on thousands of industries, including electronic device manufacturing, cosmetics and hygiene product manufacturing, medical device manufacturing, electrical energy generation and storage, and so many more.
As an industry leader, Yuji remains up to date with ever-changing chemical regulations to support our clients’ businesses. Reach out to us if you’re looking for environmentally friendly chemical alternatives or next generation chemicals to assist your business in making the transition to a greener world powered by Yuji’s advanced chemistry.
