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Regulating PFAS as a Chemical Class under the California Safer Consumer Products Program
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California's Department of Toxic Substances Control proposes regulating PFAS as a single chemical class in consumer products, because all PFAS share at least one hazard trait — environmental persistence — and key PFAS degradation products display additional toxicity. The study suggests this class-based regulatory approach is necessary to comprehensively address these widespread and persistent chemicals.
We at the California DTSC propose regulating certain consumer products if they contain any member of the class of PFAS because: a) all PFAS, or their degradation, reaction, or metabolism products, display at least one common hazard trait according to the California Code of Regulations, namely environmental persistence; and b) certain key PFAS that are the degradation, reaction or metabolism products, or impurities of nearly all other PFAS display additional hazard traits, including toxicity; are widespread in the environment, humans, and biota; and will continue to cause adverse impacts for as long as any PFAS continue to be used. Regulating PFAS as a class is thus logical, necessary, and forward-thinking. This technical position may be helpful to other regulatory agencies in comprehensively addressing this large class of chemicals with common hazard traits. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7431.
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The high persistence of PFAS is sufficient for their management as a chemical class
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Researchers argue that the extreme environmental persistence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is reason enough to regulate them as a single chemical class and phase out all non-essential uses. Because PFAS contain perfluoroalkyl groups that resist virtually all forms of environmental and biological breakdown, their continued release leads to irreversibly increasing concentrations in the environment. The study warns that once harmful effects are confirmed, reversing PFAS contamination will be extremely difficult and costly for society.
The High Persistence of PFAS is Sufficient for their Management as a Chemical Class
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This perspective argues that the extreme environmental persistence of all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — stemming from their resistant perfluoroalkyl moieties — is alone sufficient justification to phase out all non-essential uses of the entire chemical class. The authors warn that continued PFAS release leads to irreversible accumulation, and that remediation of contaminated land and drinking water is already proving technically challenging and costly.
Strategies for grouping per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to protect human and environmental health
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Researchers reviewed various strategies for grouping the more than 4,700 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on the global market to inform regulatory and risk assessment actions. The most precautionary approach suggests restricting all PFAS based on their extreme environmental persistence alone, while the least precautionary requires detailed toxicological data for grouping. The study highlights that no single grouping strategy will be universally accepted, and the appropriate approach depends on the regulatory purpose.
Why Aim Toward a PFAS-free Future?
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This paper is not about microplastics — it reviews the environmental persistence, toxicity, and regulatory challenges associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the so-called 'forever chemicals,' and argues for transitioning industry toward safer substitutes using green chemistry principles.
Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Do They Matter to Aquatic Ecosystems?
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This review examines PFAS, the persistent 'forever chemicals' widely used in consumer products, and their growing threat to aquatic ecosystems. Evidence indicates that PFAS accumulate in aquatic organisms, disrupt hormones, and can alter how other pollutants behave in the environment. The research is relevant to microplastic concerns because PFAS are commonly found in plastic products and can leach from microplastics into water.
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