Understanding Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAs)

PFAs are man-made chemicals used in a wide range of products, including nonstick cookware, water-resistant clothing, stain-resistant materials, cosmetics, firefighting foams, and other items resistant to grease, water, and oil.

• These chemicals can migrate to the soil, water, and air during their production and usage.
• Most PFAs are incredibly persistent and can stay in the environment for a prolonged period.
• Continuous exposure to these chemicals can lead to their accumulation in the bodies of humans and animals.
• PFAs, comprising roughly 12,000 different chemicals, are prevalent in consumer products. Due to their resistance to natural degradation, they are also called “forever chemicals.”
• The Stockholm Convention has listed PFAs.

The Stockholm Convention Explained

The Stockholm Convention is an international treaty aimed at protecting human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs are chemicals that persist in the environment, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of living organisms, and are toxic to both humans and wildlife.

• In 2006, India ratified the Stockholm Convention under Article 25(4), allowing it to maintain an "opt-out" position. This means that amendments to the convention's various Annexes cannot be enforced on it unless an explicit instrument of ratification/acceptance/approval/accession is deposited with a UN depositary.

The Risks Associated with PFAs

• PFAs have been linked to several health conditions, including cancer, liver disease, thyroid disruption, reduced vaccination responses, and other health problems.
• These contaminants can affect the entire food chain, from small organisms like plankton or fish up to top predators like polar bears, once they enter the ecosystem.
• A 2021 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported that individuals with the highest blood levels of a common PFAS and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) had a more than twofold increase in kidney cancer risk.
• Both humans and wildlife can be harmed by PFAs. PFOA and PFOS, two of the most researched chemicals in this family, have been found to interfere with the hormonal system and disrupt the reproductive system and fetal development.

Findings and Concerns:

• The ice in the Norwegian Arctic contains 26 different types of PFAS compounds. Once the ice melts, these compounds can enter ecosystems like Arctic fjords and tundra.
• High levels of PFAs were found in the bloodstream of polar bears, according to the report. The levels of these “forever chemicals” in the ice were higher than the US advisory drinking water limits.
• The report highlighted the "doubling up effect" on animals due to climate change and ice melting. Svalbard's climate is reportedly warming faster than the global average.
• The study also found high levels of TFA, a byproduct of refrigeration from hydrofluoroolefin (HFOs), after the phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a potent greenhouse gas used in refrigeration.
• Once released, HFOs, which are also greenhouse gases, can degrade into TFA. The levels of TFA have been increasing in the Arctic, according to the study. Moreover, TFA and other PFAS compounds are highly mobile and can travel through the atmosphere to any place on Earth.
• While TFA is said to be less toxic than other PFAs, its limited knowledge needs to be addressed because the potential environmental damage these compounds may cause is not fully known.

The Way Forward:

• Investors with $8 trillion in assets have already written to the world’s largest chemical companies, urging them to phase out the use of so-called “forever chemicals,” which can accumulate in the environment and pose a risk to future generations.
• Companies should be more transparent about their global chemical production and publish a timetable for the phased-out production of Forever Chemicals.
• To completely phase out these chemicals, the government, international organizations, and other stakeholders must develop and implement a policy. More stringent regulation is required for ‘forever chemicals.’

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