The EU’s Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Ban: A Case of Policy over Science

Abstract

The proposal by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to ban over 12,000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has sparked a debate about potential consequences for the economy, industry, and the environment. Although some PFAS are known to be harmful, a blanket ban may lead to significant problems in attempting to replace PFAS-based materials for environmental transition, as well as in medical devices and everyday products. Alternative materials may potentially be less safe, as a rush to replace PFAS would reduce the time needed for toxicological analyses. Studies have shown that PFAS exhibit a diverse range of mechanisms of action, biopersistence, and bioaccumulation potential, and should thus not be treated as a single group. This is particularly true for the class of fluoropolymers. A targeted approach that considers the specific risks and benefits of each chemical may be more effective. Moreover, the proposed ban may also have unintended consequences for the environment as PFAS use is also associated with benefits such as reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and improving energy efficiency. Policymakers must carefully weigh up the potential consequences before making a final decision on the ban.

Fluoropolymers as Unique and Irreplaceable Materials: Challenges and Future Trends in These Specific Per or Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances

“…FPs should only be involved in uses required for health, safety, or when they are critical for the functioning of society and no alternatives are available [9,63,64,83,84]. In addition, searching for alternative materials would reduce the time required for toxicological analyses.…”

“…For these features, they are not considered as substances of very high concern (SVHC) and fulfil the 13 criteria (see Section Polymer-of-Low-Concern Criteria) [35,89,90]. Furthermore, their relevant combinations of properties are not matched by any of the alternative hydrocarbon polymers [9,63,83,84], hence making them so unique and valuable.…”

“…Though the thermal degradation of Nafion ® N117 membranes was reported by Feng et al [152] and by Zaton et al [153], its recycling is very challenging. Nowadays, no alternative is foreseen to be able to substitute such high-performance materials [9,59,63,83,84], which are essential to the functioning of the hydrogen value chain and electrolyzers. These are produced and used in a highly controlled industrial environment, where their emissions are negligible and, due to their high initial price, their reusability and recyclability are actively investigated.…”

“…The generated TFE could be involved in various reactions enabling the loop to be closed: (i) in radical homopolymerization initiated by peroxides or persulfates to lead to PTFE [158]; (ii) via conventional radical copolymerization of either HFP [159] or isobutyl vinyl ether (iBuVE) [160] to produce either poly(TFE-co-HFP) copolymer (or FEP) or alternated poly(TFE-co-iBuVE) copolymer (as commercially available Zeffle ® homologues [154]), and finally (iii) under reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerization of TFE and iBuVE, controlled by a xanthate, to yield well-defined poly(TFE-co-iBuVE) copolymers [160]. Nowadays, no alternative is foreseen to be able to substitute such high-performance materials [9,59,63,83,84], which are essential to the functioning of the hydrogen value chain and electrolyzers. These are produced and used in a highly controlled industrial environment, where their emissions are negligible and, due to their high initial price, their reusability and recyclability are actively investigated.…”

Fluorine-Free Lithium Metal Batteries with a Stable LiF-Free Solid Electrolyte Interphase

“…The imperative for energy in contemporary society has catalyzed the development of secondary batteries characterized by high energy density, prolonged cycle lifespan, and sustainability. , The establishment of a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is fundamental to achieving superior performance in secondary batteries. , Fluorine, endowed with formidable electronegativity, exemplary stability, and strong chemical bonds, assumes a pivotal role in the construction of a durable SEI. , Recent research efforts have been dedicated to augmenting battery performance by elevating fluorine content, involving the incorporation of various fluorinated solvents, , fluorine additives, , and fluorinated binders. , However, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) plans to ban the large-scale application of around 10,000 fluorinated chemicals termed perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in batteries in the future, including poly­(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (TTE), due to the potential environmental pollution caused by fluorides. , Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop high-performance secondary batteries based on the design thought of being fluorine-free …”