PFAS

• IPA^(key): /ˈpiːfæs/

PFAS (plural PFAS or PFASs)

1. Acronym of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance (“a type of environmental pollutant”).

   Synonym: (colloquial) forever chemical

   • 2019, Gretta Goldenman et al., The cost of inaction […] , Nordic Council of Ministers, →ISBN, page 51:

     The US company 3M was the first to manufacture a PFAS commercially – the C8, PFOA.

   • 2021 May 13, Tom Perkins, “Study finds alarming levels of ‘forever chemicals’ in US mothers’ breast milk”, in The Guardian‎, retrieved 2021-05-13:

     A new study that checked American women’s breast milk for PFAS contamination detected the toxic chemical in all 50 samples tested, and at levels nearly 2,000 times higher than the level some public health advocates advise is safe for drinking water.

   1. (by restriction) a perfluoroalkyl substance
   2. (by restriction) a polyfluoroalkyl substance

• Although PFAS is sometimes used as a singular noun, several organizations including the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define the term only in the plural (substances) and discourage the use of PFASs.

• fluoroalkyl

• PFOA (“perfluorooctanoic acid”)
• PFOS (“perfluorooctanesulfonic acid”)

• (P): per-, poly-
• (F): fluoro- (fluorine)
• (A): alkyl
• (s): substance

• AFSP, SPFA, faps

From English PFAS.

PFAS c (uncountable)

1. PFAS