PFAS Chemical Structure and Why It’s Significant
PFAS are a family of synthetic chemicals that include over 4,700 different compounds. All of these share a unique chemical structure: a chain of carbon atoms, either fully or partially surrounded by fluorine atoms. This carbon-fluorine bond is one of the strongest in nature, which gives PFAS their resistance to heat, oil, and water, and of course, their notorious stability.
How PFAS Resist Degradation
It’s this robust carbon-fluorine bond that contributes to the persistence of PFAS in the environment. The bond is so strong that it resists degradation under natural environmental conditions. This resistance, coupled with the compounds’ ability to repel both water and oil, means that PFAS don’t break down easily in the environment or in living organisms. They’re resistant to biological, thermal, and chemical degradation, which has earned them the moniker “forever chemicals.”
PFAS Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification
Given their resistance to degradation, PFAS can accumulate over time in the environment and within living organisms, a process known as bioaccumulation. When these compounds enter the food chain, their concentration can increase at each trophic level, a phenomenon known as biomagnification. This means that top predators, including humans, can end up with high levels of PFAS in their bodies, even from minor environmental exposure.
Detailed Look at Health Effects Linked to PFAS Exposure
Research has linked prolonged exposure to PFAS to a variety of adverse health effects. Some of the health concerns associated with these chemicals include:
Understanding the science behind PFAS is crucial to fully grasping the breadth of their impact. As we continue to learn more about these persistent chemicals, this knowledge can inform strategies for managing their use, limiting human and environmental exposure, and developing effective methods for their remediation.
Let’s Start Remediating
There are two ways to get started:
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