PFAS
Nonstick coating compounds
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—a large family of synthetic chemicals containing carbon-fluorine bonds, which are among the strongest in organic chemistry.
This durability makes PFAS useful in nonstick cookware, water-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foams, but it also means they persist indefinitely in the environment and accumulate in living tissue.
Often called "forever chemicals," PFAS have become a major concern in water contamination and public health discussions: The town's drinking water tested positive for PFAS.
Water in underground rock
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
- bioaccumulationPollutant concentration in tissues
- biomagnificationToxins accumulating through food chains
- leachateLiquid filtered through waste
runoff · landfill · wastewater · plume · detection · sampling · hotspot · discharge
Nonstick pan coating
- Gore-TexWaterproof breathable fabric membrane
- nonstickResists food adhesion
- stain-resistantRepels marks and discoloration
- water-repellentResisting water penetration
Containing fluorine substituents
- fluoropolymerCarbon-fluorine chain compound
- fluorocarbonCarbon-halogen compound, very stable
- surfactantSurface tension lowering compound
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
Federal environmental regulator
- SuperfundPolluted site restoration program
- phase-outGradual discontinuation process
- banOfficial restriction on something
- litigationLegal dispute process
class-action · 3M · DuPont · settlement · disclosure
Capacity to cause harm
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
- exposureState of being unprotected
Separating solids from liquids
- ion-exchangeCharged particle substitution process
- incinerationBurning waste to ash
- treatmentCare for an ailment
- cleanupRestoration of order
Cannot be decomposed naturally
- stableSecure and unchanging
- accumulativeGrowing by addition
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
- resistantWithstanding external forces
groundwater
Water in underground rock
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
- bioaccumulationPollutant concentration in tissues
- biomagnificationToxins accumulating through food chains
leachate · runoff · landfill · wastewater · plume · detection · sampling · hotspot · discharge
Teflon
Nonstick pan coating
- Gore-TexWaterproof breathable fabric membrane
- nonstickResists food adhesion
- stain-resistantRepels marks and discoloration
water-repellent · waterproof · cookware · Scotchgard · cosmetics
fluorinated
Containing fluorine substituents
- fluoropolymerCarbon-fluorine chain compound
- fluorocarbonCarbon-halogen compound, very stable
- surfactantSurface tension lowering compound
polymer · short-chain · long-chain · precursor · metabolite
EPA
Federal environmental regulator
- SuperfundPolluted site restoration program
- phase-outGradual discontinuation process
- banOfficial restriction on something
litigation · class-action · 3M · DuPont · settlement · disclosure
toxicity
Capacity to cause harm
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
- half-lifePeriod for fifty-percent reduction
filtration
Separating solids from liquids
- ion-exchangeCharged particle substitution process
- incinerationBurning waste to ash
- treatmentCare for an ailment
cleanup · removal · destruction · electrochemical · supercritical
nondegradable
Cannot be decomposed naturally
- stableSecure and unchanging
- accumulativeGrowing by addition
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
resistant · long-lived · ubiquitous · widespread · indestructible
- pollutionair pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, smog, toxic waste
- Contaminantspollutants, pollutant, heavy metals, toxin, pesticides
- carcinogensasbestos, benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, tobacco smoke
- Environmental Healthair pollution, water pollution, toxic exposure, hazardous waste, emissions
- pollutantspollutants, pollutant, contaminant, contaminants, toxin
- water pollutionsewage, industrial waste, contaminants, algal bloom, toxic waste
Items that decompose naturally
organic matter · bioplastics · cellulose · humus · leaf litter
Resources with minimal environmental impact