I have recently heard about the complete phaseout of ALL perfluorinated compounds, not only surfactants but also all polymers, including copolymers containing minority comonomers with a single perfluorinated alkyl groups (CF3 or CF2). My feeling that it is an overreaction. In certain applications polytetrafluoroethylene, FEP, and fluorinated elastomers are are virtually irreplaceable, or only with much worse performance. In other cases the "best available" technology was accepted until better were found. I think the same should be done here - or at least the social and commercial costs of a (worse) replacement should be considered. Human ingenuity is powerful, but we cannot invent a new nature. Fluorine has a special place in the periodic system, which cannot be simply replaced. I would be happy to hear the opinion of those, who can tell not only what should be banned but also can suggest viable alternatives.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) are a group of human-made chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial and consumer applications due to their unique properties, such as heat resistance and water repellency. However, concerns have been raised about their potential adverse effects on human health and the environment.
Many countries and regulatory bodies have taken steps to phase out or restrict the use of PFAs. This is primarily driven by scientific evidence indicating that certain PFAs are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. They can persist in the environment for a long time, accumulate in living organisms, and have been associated with various health issues, including developmental effects, liver toxicity, and potential links to cancer.
The planned phaseout of PFAs reflects a growing recognition of the potential risks associated with these chemicals and the desire to protect human health and the environment. Efforts are being made to reduce PFAs' production and use, develop alternative chemicals and materials, and improve regulations and monitoring systems.
It's worth noting that the phaseout of PFAs can present challenges in terms of finding suitable alternatives that are both effective and safe. Balancing the need for functionality and performance in various industries while minimizing environmental and health risks is a complex task. However, the overall goal is to transition toward more sustainable and less harmful alternatives.
Public awareness, scientific research, and collaboration between governments, industries, and stakeholders are crucial in addressing the issue of PFAs and finding sustainable solutions.
One further question: if all fluorine containing polymers are banned, what will replace polyvinyldiene fluoride in Li-batteries???
As long as Li batteries are not separately collected and managed appropriately, a ban is exactly what we can expect.
Ulphard Thoden van Velzen yes, but the policy of the EU in this respect is not consistent. On the one hand, they want to ban combustion engines and use electrical ones instead, but they want to ban an essential component of the existing Li-battery technology. The regulations should be harmonized.
After all evil has been banned we will find ourselves in illusions.
As long as our politicians do not understand the laws of physics, they do not understand we will have to compromise and resolve issues...
In the end, chemicals that are not compatible with the natural world, should be kept out of the natural world. If we cannot guarantee this, it shouldn't be used.
Ulphard Thoden van Velzen "all evil has been banned" - except man itself, or more correctly, the evil inside us all. We always try to correct others and do not dare to face the evil in ourselves. Like the hot potato, it is tossed from one to the other, but it perpetually returns. Sorry, this is not science but philosophy, or, better to say, religion.
It is indeed a huge overreaction, with little regard of the science on the polymers involved. In actual fact practically zero material is released (or taken up by organisms) from those, yet they are treated under the same umbrella as volatile and/or soluble small molecular compounds. A very irrational response, in my view.
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