What is PFAS?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS is therefore not a single substance, but a whole group of substances. Countless compounds in the PFAS group have been developed and used worldwide since the 1940s. Substances from the PFAS group can therefore be found thousands of times in our everyday lives, either directly as a component of products or as an aid in their manufacture.

When it comes to cookware, the fluoropolymer PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) should be mentioned here from the PFAS group, the substance that gives a classic non-stick coating its non-stick properties in the first place and which is often referred to in general terms as "Teflon" (Teflon® is, however, a Chemours brand for its non-stick coatings).

In addition, substances from the PFAS group can also be found in countless other areas of everyday life. Here are just a few examples:

  • in low-friction and low-wear seals in hydraulic and pneumatic systems
  • in plain bearings of various machines and aggregates
  • in medical devices and implants
  • in chemical plant and apparatus engineering (e.g. in pipelines of large-scale plants to protect against aggressive substances)
  • in membranes of fuel cells and electrolyzers
  • as cable insulation in HF electronics
  • in semiconductor production
  • in fire extinguishing foam
  • in paints and varnishes
  • in coated papers (baking paper, label carriers, food cartons)
  • in impregnation of textiles / upholstery / carpets
  • in dental floss
  • in technical sprays and lubricants
  • and, and, and....

What is the problem with PFAS?

The problem with many substances in the PFAS group is basically their biggest advantage: they react with almost nothing and are extremely inert. Chemists call them inert. So if PFAS substances are released during processing steps in production, for example, and enter the environment through waste water or exhaust air, they react with virtually nothing and can therefore hardly degrade, even after years or decades.

PFAS ban?

For these reasons, some politicians and environmental associations have been calling for a complete ban on all PFAS in recent years. Read more about this in this blog article on a possible PFAS ban.