Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

• Context (TH): The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed concerns about the presence of ‘forever chemicals’ (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)) in Chennai waterbodies.
• According to the study, groundwater near the Perungudi dumpyard contained 2.72 nanograms per litre (ng/L) of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), significantly exceeding the EPA’s safe level of 0.02ng/L.

About PFAS

• Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as Forever Chemicals, are man-made chemicals used to make nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, cosmetics, firefighting forms and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water.
• They have a wide range of different physical and chemical properties. They can be gases, liquids, or solid high-molecular-weight polymers.
• They are stable under intense heat. Many of them are also surfactants and are used, for example, as water and grease repellents.
• Some of the major industry sectors using PFAS include aerospace and defence, automotive, aviation, food contact materials, textiles, leather and apparel, construction and household products, electronics, firefighting, food processing, and medical articles.
• Many PFAS, including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are a concern because they:
  1. Do not break down in the environment,
  2. Can move through soils and contaminate drinking water sources,
  3. Build up (bioaccumulate) in fish and wildlife.
• PFAS persists in the environment, and exposure in people can occur when they consume PFAS-contaminated water or food.

Harmful Effects

• They cause health issues like cancer, thyroid disorders, infertility, and developmental problems.
• They can interfere with body hormones and increase cholesterol levels.
• Long-term low-level exposure to PFAs can make it difficult for humans to build antibodies after being vaccinated against various diseases.