It’s like a science fiction plot. A dangerous material accumulates throughout the world for decades, largely unbeknown to the human race. When humanity does eventually recognise the danger, it faces major scientific challenges, coupled with delay and obfuscation from within.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS, are toxic, and are also known as “forever chemicals” because they persist for so long before degrading, in some cases for longer than one thousand years. Following their first manufacture in 1947, by the 1960s they were being used to make Teflon frying pans, and then spread to a range of other products and industrial uses. Their usefulness is due to their remarkable properties, being resistant to water, oil, stains and heat.
PFAS are also a growing environmental and health headache, bioaccumulating in humans and animals. Health risks that have now come to light include an elevated risk of cancer, reproductive damage, immune system damage, liver damage, birth defects, low birth weight, thyroid disease and elevated cholesterol. A 2022 study found a 4.5-fold increased likelihood of liver cancer among people with the highest measured blood PFAS levels.
Of the 12,000 different chemicals in this family, the most attention has been directed towards PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic
