PFAS: What are PFAS and why are they dangerous?

What are PFAS?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are chemical compounds that do not exist in nature. In other words, the chemicals are only produced industrially by humans. There are several thousand different varieties of these compounds, all of which belong to the PFAS family. Among others, these include PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), which was previously used in firefighting foam and clothing. PFOA has been banned in the EU since 2020. PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is also widely used and is commonly found in coated pots, under the brand name Teflon. PTFE is still permitted in the EU, but could also be banned for everyday objects over the next few years.

PFAS are extremely grease-, dirt- and water-repellent. This makes them very useful for a wide range of products, such as waterproof jackets, cookware and cosmetics.

Why are PFAS harmful?

PFAS compounds are very stable. This is a desirable attribute in product design, as the grease-, dirt- and water-repellent properties are retained for many years. However, PFAS detach from the products throughout their entire service life – during manufacture, during use, such as when washing or as a result of abrasion, and finally during disposal. Due to their stable structure, the dissolved chemical particles do not decay and therefore do not degrade, which is why they are also referred to as ‘forever chemicals’.

PFAS accumulate in soil and drinking water where they are consumed by animals and absorbed by plants, thus making their way into our food and ultimately into the human body. The body then finds them equally difficult to break down. And now to the dangerous downside: it has been scientifically proven that PFAS pose a health risk. There are many possible consequences of high PFAS levels in the blood. Among other effects, they can impair liver function, disrupt the metabolism of the hormonal system and increase the risk of some types of cancer.

In which products are PFAS used?

Different industries use PFAS in a wide range of products, for different functions. Here are a few examples:

• Cookware: non-stick coating

• Textiles/shoes: water- and dirt-repellent properties

• Cosmetics: for instance, to stabilise consistency

• Fire-extinguishing foams: e.g. for the formation of a protective film that suffocates the flames on burning liquids

• Electronics: for moisture protection and electrical isolation, among other uses

Does Transa have products containing PFAS in its product range?

Many items of clothing and equipment that are not required to be grease-, dirt- and water-repellent have never contained PFAS. PFAS have long been popular in membranes for waterproof clothing, waterproofing agents and ski wax. However, there are many alternatives to these products. Therefore, all Transa waterproofing agents and ski waxes are PFAS-free.

In fact, the Transa product range is almost entirely PFAS-free. We order only PFAS-free products in the following product groups:

• Waterproofing agents

• Waxes

• Clothing

• Tents

• Backpacks

There are still few remaining stocks of clothing, camping and backpacks that contain PFAS. However, moving forward, these will no longer be reordered.

What is being done to prevent the use of PFAS?

EU/Switzerland: The EU is at the forefront of PFAS regulation internationally. This also affects Transa, as almost all of the products we offer are also approved for sale on the EU market. There are several thousand different PFAS. They are all very similar in their characteristics, but differ in terms of structure. The most problematic PFAS are already banned in the EU and will soon be banned in Switzerland as well. It is also expected that PFAS will be further restricted in the coming years.

Switzerland: Outside of industry, limits have been defined for three PFAS (PFOS, PFHxS and PFOA) found in drinking water. Random checks are carried out to determine how PFAS accumulate in the environment.

Brands: Many brands, including some from our range, are working to replace PFAS in their products with non-problematic substances. In waterproof textiles these include silicones, paraffin formulations or plastics such as melamine resins or polyurethanes. As of today, there are no equivalent alternatives to PFAS for grease- and oil-repellent contaminants. The latter applies primarily to work clothing.

What should be done with products containing PFAS?

The most sustainable approach is to continue using products containing PFAS for as long as possible. Making items last reduces the need to produce new products. This saves resources. Important for coated pans: this only applies as long as the coating is not damaged.

At the end of its service life, clothing and equipment containing PFAS should be disposed of as hazardous waste/at a designated collection point or handled by a specialist disposal company, not in the used clothing bin or a general rubbish bag. Proper disposal prevents further PFAS from entering the environment.

Where can I find information on PFAS in Switzerland?

The Swiss federal government has been making efforts to tackle PFAS for quite some time. Up-to-date information can be found here:

• www.bafu.admin.ch/de/pfas (in German)

• www.bafu.admin.ch/en/pfas-in-groundwater