Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent manufactured chemicals widely used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s for their useful properties, such as resistance to water and stains. These chemicals break down slowly, leading to bioaccumulation in humans, animals, and the environment, which poses ongoing challenges for hygiene and care industries reliant on durable materials like stain-repellent fabrics, cleaning products, and personal care items. Forward-thinking developments emphasize the need for alternatives that maintain functionality without environmental persistence, as certain widely used PFAS have been phased out in favor of others, highlighting opportunities for innovative, non-persistent compounds in cleaning and hygiene applications.
PFAS contamination appears in diverse sources relevant to daily life, including drinking water, household dust, food packaging, and products like cleaning agents, carpets, and cosmetics, resulting from their mobility and persistence in water, soil, air, and biosolids. Exposure pathways include ingestion through contaminated food or water, inhalation of polluted air, dermal contact with treated materials, and occupational handling in manufacturing or firefighting, with higher risks for vulnerable groups such as children who ingest more per body weight via dust and products, and pregnant women through elevated water consumption. This underscores the industry's push toward proactive monitoring and source reduction strategies to minimize exposure in hygiene-related settings.
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