How to Prepare for New PFAS Regulations

 How to Prepare for New PFAS Regulations

by Richard Jack, Global Market Development Manager - Food and Environmental, Phenomenex

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known broadly as “forever chemicals,” are a class of approximately 6,000 different man-made compounds that can be found in everything from tap water, to clothing and household items, to fast food wrappers and even human blood. Instead of breaking down, PFAS accumulate in the human body. Health researchers are beginning to understand that PFAS can potentially cause or aggravate health problems such as cancer, birth defects, liver and thyroid diseases and decreased immunity. While there are validated methods and around 35 standards currently available to test for PFAS, difficulty remains in identifying these chemicals in different kinds of products and materials.

Recently, President Biden proposed a 2022 budget that includes $75 million to address PFAS found in drinking water, wastewater and soil, signaling growing interest and scrutiny into the as-yet largely unexplored field of “forever chemicals,” particularly in consumer products and water supply.

Read more on Labcompare.