Long-anticipated plan to regulate PFAS chemicals unveiled in US

The White House has taken a major step in implementing the US’s first-ever strategy to combat the family of highly fluorinated chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). President Biden came to power promising to tackle PFASs during his election campaign as, to date, there has never no decisive federal action on the problem.

These chemicals, which all have a fluorinated carbon backbone, have been used and manufactured since the 1940s in various industries around the world, and their unique physiochemical properties impart characteristics including repelling oil, grease and water, as well temperature resistance and lubrication. However, they do not degrade in the environment, are highly mobile and also bioaccumulate. The scientific literature has linked them with multiple health problems such as reproductive issues, developmental delays and increased risk of cancers.