PFAS-coated clothes that are thrown away will often end up either incinerated or in landfill. Unless incinerated at very high temperatures (>1000oC), fluorinated polymers could release more harmful PFAS during burning. PFAS of environmental concern have also been found in landfill leachate. PFAS is found in treated waste water from industrial and domestic sources and has been found in both rivers and groundwater. Conventional drinking water processes will not remove PFAS.Small quantities of PFAS will be removed during wash and wear of products containing PFAS. This includes fluorinated polymers used on stain-resistant coatings, and non-polymers that remain on clothes after production (Lassen et al. 2015).Non-polymer PFAS can build up in blood protein of animals, and is not always removed quickly. This means that predators eating PFAS-contaminated food will have higher levels in their bloodstream, and concentrations can increase up the food chain. Studies suggest that build up of PFAS is similar to those of other Persistent Organic Pollutants such as DDT.PFAS are estimated to be settling in arctic regions at rates of tens to hundreds of kilograms per year (25-850kg per year), depending on the specific PFAS chemical in question. Certain PFAS are released as gases to the environment and are blown a long way by wind and air currents in the atmosphere,. These gas PFAS will over time degrade to more persistent chemicals like PFOS and PFOA. This may be one reason why PFAS of environmental concern have been found in remote regions such as the Arctic as well as near PFAS production sitesPFAS including PFOS and PFOA have been found in air samples around Europe. The chemicals are found in small quantities, but appear in almost all samples tested. PFAS enters the atmosphere both from factories and the air inside our homes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17554424 Non-polymer PFAS are used in the production of fluorinated polymers. The manufacture of stain-resistant finishes generally releases these PFASs into the environment, both by air and water emissions. They are very hard to remove during water treatment. Workers in textiles factories are some of the population most exposed to these potentially harmful chemicals.

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Environmental charity supporting sustainability & preventing pollution

Fidra Projects

To achieve solutions to environmental issues using the best available science working in collaboration with the public, industry, and government.

Photo by: Dorin Seremet on Unsplash

Preventing pollution

By removing the burden of chemical and plastic pollution on the environment, our projects build resilience to the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis.

Sewage Spreading in fields

Sewage Free Soils

Protecting Scotland’s Soils from agricultural use of sewage sludge

Nurdles

Nurdles

Tiny plastic pellets are adding up to a big problem for our environment

PFAS outdoor

PFAS

Preventing PFAS pollution by ending unnecessary uses of Forever Chemicals

Best Fishes

Scottish Salmon Farming

Transparency in aquaculture is needed to ensure best practices minimise environmental impacts

Cotton Buds

Cotton Buds

Rethinking single use plastic

Supporting sustainability

A safe circular economy saves energy, resources, and prevents pollution. Our projects address the use of harmful chemicals, promote alternatives to single-use items, and stop losses from supply chains.

Bisphenols

Bisphenols

Harmful chemicals used in receipts are contaminating the environment & recycled products

Chemical Pollution

Chemical Pollution

Advocating for UK policy that delivers effective chemical management and prevents chemical pollution

Sustainable Fire Safety

Sustainable Fire Safety

Promoting effective and sustainable fire safety through intelligent product design and chemical transparency

artifical pitche

Artificial Pitches

Artificial pitches are a major source of microplastic pollution