PFAS

plural PFASs

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

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

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

   2 more examples

   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.

   2021 May 13, Tom Perkins, “Study finds alarming levels of ‘forever chemicals’ in US mothers’ breast milk”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 04 Apr 2022, retrieved 13 May 2021

   After research into foam at the Belgian seaside showing a concentration of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – widely used for their waterproofing qualities but difficult to destroy – the Dutch public health institute RIVM measured the coast in Zeeland, north and south Holland in April and August.

   2023 December 13, Senay Boztas, “Netherlands warns children not to swallow sea foam over PFAS concerns”, in The Guardian, →ISSN, archived from the original on 16 Jul 2024

   Synonyms: forever chemical

   1. countableuncountableby restrictiona perfluoroalkyl substance

      Synonyms: forever chemical

   2. countableuncountableby restrictiona polyfluoroalkyl substance

      Synonyms: forever chemical

2. abbreviationinitialismuncountableInitialism of pollen-food allergy syndrome.

1. pluralplural of PFA

1. countableuncountableAlternative letter-case form of PFAS.

   Amid rising global concern over the harmful impact of Pfas chemicals on human health and the environment, in 2024 the local council and the Environment Agency (EA) initiated an investigation into historical emissions from the site.

   2026 July 10, Pippa Neill, “‘I just want to know if it has caused my cancer’: life in the shadow of Lancashire Pfas factory”, in The Guardian, →ISSN