PFAS are a group of manmade fluorinated chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. Because of their ability to repel both water and oil, these chemicals have been found in industrial applications and products, such as non-stick cookware, carpet, clothing, furniture fabrics, waxes, cleaning products and some firefighting foams. There are thousands of different PFAS, the three most studied being perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon).
Emerging Concerns
Due to their widespread use, PFAS can be found in our water, soil, air and food, in addition to materials found in our homes or workplaces. Many PFAS break down very slowly and can build up in people, animals and the environment over time. Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.
