In an editorial published on July 21, 2023, in the journal Science, Martin Scheringer professor at RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic, and senior scientist and group leader at ETH Zürich, points out that persistence of chemicals makes innovation of chemical assessment necessary. He exemplifies the status quo and proposes ways forward on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Scheringer describes how traditionally chemicals are assessed for their risk to humans and the environment based on their toxicity (e.g., carcinogenicity or neurotoxicity) and their physical hazards (e.g., flammability). This approach, however, underestimates the importance of a chemical’s persistence. While “low persistence leads to lower estimated exposure and, thereby, a rating of lower risk in current chemicals assessment, […] high persistence does not lead to a ‘red flag’.”
The author describes that persistent chemicals, such as PFAS, are so stable that they never degrade, leading to steadily increasing concentrations in the environment as long as these compounds are released. Consequently, persistent chemicals result in continued widespread exposure and associated adverse effects may only become fully evident in the future. He emphasizes that “persistence should be seen as a direct element of chemical hazard.”
PFAS increase the non-stick properties of materials. They can migrate into foods from packaging and cookware (FPF reported), and have been linked to several health impacts (FPF reported). Just recently the societal costs of PFAS were found to be 16 trillion euros per year due to healthcare costs and the expense of removing PFAS from the environment (FPF reported). In February 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published a restriction proposal covering all uses of PFAS in the EU and at least 28 of the 50 US states are expected to develop PFAS-related policy in 2023 (FPF reported).
However, even if these ambitions lead to a ban on PFAS, the use of other persistent chemicals continues. In his editorial, Scheringer points out that “the way forward should include changes to the established system of chemicals assessment and regulation that go beyond the case of PFAS.” The development of alternatives free of PFAS and other persistent compounds is “technically feasible” (for many uses PFAS-free alternatives exist already) and this innovation is possible if chemists, material scientists, product designers, and process engineers, but also downstream users of chemicals, work towards it.
The editorial builds upon scientific articles Scheringer published together with other researchers discussing why it is time to develop regulations specifically addressing the persistence of chemicals (FPF reported) and how these chemicals can be tackled (FPF reported).
Reference
Scheringer, M. (2023). “Innovate beyond PFAS.” Science. DOI:10.1126/science.adj7475
