What Do We Know About Per- or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)? Issues, Challenges, Regulations, and Possible Alternatives

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.4c02993
• Publication Date: 2025-03-06T13:01:03Z
• Authors: Bruno Ameduri

Per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are man-made compounds involved in compositions of many industrial processes and consumer products. They categorized into two main families based on their molar mass: though low mass products (<1000 Da) toxic, mobile, bioaccumulable, cross the human membranes, others much higher masses, e.g., fluorinated macromolecules especially fluoropolymers, safe reliable, do not face such concerns, membranes (hence, they regarded as Polymers Low Concern), applications including medical high-value-added materials devices. Because former family has led to a severe global contamination, recent regulating agencies Europe (REACH) USA (EPA) have aimed at restricting fluorochemicals. Recently, consultations from affected organisms industries more than 5600 answers comments. This review supplies an update overall situation PFASs, limitations, regulations, end life, degradations, possible alternatives.