A Comprehensive Guide to Global Compliance
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are subject to regulation worldwide. Their persistence in the environment and potential to cause adverse health effects make their widespread use in products concerning. Numerous governing bodies have established restrictions or bans for PFAS in consumer products to protect health and the environment.
Regulatory approaches vary among countries and regions, presenting several compliance challenges for companies. Continuously emerging PFAS regulations expose companies to risk within their supply chains. By utilizing risk mitigation strategies and employing the right tools, companies can streamline PFAS identification and reporting.
While PFAS can be found across a wide range of industries and applications, growing scientific and regulatory scrutiny has made them a focal point of global environmental and public health discussions. This e-book will focus on why PFAS are a cause for concern, how they are regulated worldwide, the challenges of PFAS regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation strategies for PFAS manufacturers. Learn how Source Intelligence’s industry-leading Global PFAS solution can help simplify and strengthen compliance efforts.
Why PFAS Are a Cause for Concern
What are PFAS?
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals used in various industrial and commercial applications since the 1940s. PFAS are popular because of their remarkable resistance to heat, water, and oil.
The first PFAS compound was perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA. Manufacturers first introduced it as a non-stick cookware coating, commonly known as Teflon. In the following decades, manufacturers developed other types of PFAS and incorporated them into various products. Today, the PFAS group includes more than 15,000 substances—some more widely used and studied than others.
Products containing PFAS
PFAS have been used in thousands of everyday products, ranging from cookware and clothing to electronics and personal care items. Some examples of products that may contain PFAS include:
Non-stick cookware such as frying pans and pots. These products often contain PFAS, particularly PFOA or its precursor chemicals, for their oil-resistant properties.
Firefighting foams, specifically aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF). These often contain PFAS to create a durable film that smothers fires.
Electronics such as cables, semiconductors, and integrated circuits. The heat-resistant properties of PFAS can enhance the reliability of electronic products.
Waterproof clothing such as raincoats, jackets, hiking boots, and other water-repellent fabrics, like tent fabrics. The water-resistant properties of PFAS make them desirable in manufacturing waterproof textiles.
Personal care products like shampoo, cosmetics, skincare products, and dental floss. These may contain PFAS due to their water-resistant properties and durability.
Why are PFAS regulated?
Environmental risks associated with PFAS
The same properties that make PFAS useful in everyday products have also prompted increased scrutiny in recent years. PFAS all contain carbon-fluorine bonds, which are among the strongest chemical bonds. They do not break down easily, leading to long-term exposure risks. People often refer to PFAS as “forever chemicals” and classify them as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances (PBT).
The resistance to degradation leads to the accumulation of PFAS in the environment, such as in:
Water
PFAS contaminate water bodies like rivers, lakes, streams, and groundwater. Contamination often originates from industrial discharges, runoff from landfills, or wastewater treatment plants. The use of firefighting foams that contain PFAS also greatly contributes to these chemicals infiltrating streams and waterways.
Soil
PFAS accumulate in soil through various pathways, including direct application, atmospheric deposition, and runoff from contaminated sites. Plants and groundwater can then absorb PFAS through the contaminated soil.
Air
Manufacturing processes and the use of consumer products containing PFAS release these chemicals into the air. Contaminated water and soil also contribute to PFAS found in the air. Once in the atmosphere, PFAS travel long distances and settle onto land and water surfaces through precipitation.
Food
PFAS enter the food chain through contaminated water, soil, and air. Over time, they accumulate in food products such as fish, meat, dairy, and crops that are either irrigated with contaminated water or grown in PFAS-contaminated soil.
Health risks associated with PFAS
Furthermore, PFAS build up in the bodies of humans and animals faster than they can be excreted. Studies show that when humans are exposed to PFAS, whether from consuming contaminated food or water, or using products that contain PFAS, they are at risk of adverse health effects. PFAS exposure is linked to:
- Cancer
- Immune system dysfunction
- Reproductive issues and disruption of developmental processes
- Elevated blood cholesterol levels
- Greater risk of high blood pressure, particularly in pregnant women
- Increased risk of thyroid disease leading to metabolic dysfunction
- Lower infant birth weight
- Decreased vaccine response in children
Due to their widespread use, most people have been exposed to PFAS during their lifetimes. For example, the United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claim that nearly all people in the U.S. have been exposed to PFAS and have PFAS in their blood. Due to these corresponding health risks, PFAS exposure is recognized as a global priority for regulatory action.
How PFAS are regulated worldwide
In response to the dangers of PFAS, many countries have implemented regulations to control their use and release. Additionally, governments have banned PFAS in certain applications. PFAS regulations will only continue to expand worldwide.
PFAS Regulations in the United States
In the United States, both federal and state governments have implemented regulations to address PFAS contamination. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) PFAS regulations address this crisis at the national level. At the same time, several states developed their own PFAS regulations in response to local contamination and community concern. The combination of federal and state regulations aims to reduce PFAS exposure.
Federal PFAS Regulations
TSCA Section 8(a)(7)
The use of PFAS is monitored under Section 8(a)(7) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which requires manufacturers and importers to report on their use of PFAS dating back to 2011. The rule intends to provide the EPA, its partners, and the public with the largest-ever database of PFAS manufactured and used in the country. With the collection of this PFAS data, the EPA intends to examine PFAS production, use, and exposure. Agencies will rely on this data to shape upcoming PFAS regulations.
Enhance Your Global PFAS Compliance Strategy
You've just learned the basics of PFAS—what they are, their applications in manufacturing, and the risks they present. Next, the e-book covers state-level and international PFAS rules, explores risk mitigation strategies, and outlines best practices for effective compliance management. It also demonstrates how Source Intelligence’s Global PFAS solution automates data collection, delivers real-time alerts, and streamlines reporting to reduce risk across your supply chain.
Read the complete e-book to chart a clear path toward comprehensive PFAS compliance.