With their article published January 24, 2025, in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, Romain Figuière and co-authors from Stockholm University, Sweden, take an important step towards the phase-out of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by mapping their applications and currently available alternatives.
PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are a group of over 10,000 man-made chemicals that are highly persistent (FPF reported), widely spread in the environment (FPF reported), detected in humans and associated with several health outcomes (FPF reported and here). In 2023, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway submitted a restriction proposal under the European Commission’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation to prohibit the manufacture, placing on the market, and use of all PFAS (FPF reported). Further, several states in the US have proposed to restrict PFAS use (FPF reported). A strategic approach allows for transitioning away from PFAS while avoiding “regrettable substitutions” (FPF reported).
Following such a strategic, systematic approach, Figuière and co-authors identified 325 applications of PFAS. As of April 2024, 40 suitable alternatives are available. Furthermore, the compiled information can be used to identify uses of PFAS that are not essential (FPF reported), for instance, where safer suitable alternatives are available. The latter is the case for 10% of PFAS uses. As of the time of compiling the overview (April 2024), no alternatives were identified for 83 applications which “should be the focus of further research activities.”
In their study, the scientists mapped the known uses (e.g., food contact articles) and specific applications (e.g., cookware) of PFAS, as well as the provided functions (e.g., corrosion inhibitor). The functional substitution approach then allowed them to identify potential alternatives to these functions. Lastly, they assessed the suitability of the alternatives to replace PFAS by considering their performance, market availability, and safety. All the data are available in an online freely accessible database. The database contains 1453 PFAS with a CAS number that are divided into 18 uses and 325 applications. They most commonly serve as heat stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, and waterproofing agents.
The study by Figuière and co-authors comes shortly after reports from Corporate Europe Observatory and the Forever Lobbying Project revealing an orchestrated lobbying campaign by the PFAS industry and allies against the proposed EU PFAS ban (FPF reported). The authors of these reports asked the European Commission to accelerate its work on identifying safer alternatives for potentially harmful PFAS, to which the study by Figuière et al. greatly contributes.
Reference
Figuière, R., et al. (2025). “An Overview of Potential Alternatives for the Multiple Uses of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances.” Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c09088
Related research
Bălan, S. A.; Bruton, T. A.; Hazard, K. G. (2025). “Hazard Toward a PFAS-free Future: Safer Alternatives to Forever Chemicals.” Royal Society of Chemistry. DOI: 10.1039/9781837671410
