PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of thousands of synthetic chemicals used throughout industry. It contains carbon-fluorine bonds, which are one of the very strong chemical bonds. This means that they resist degradation when used and also in the environment. Most PFAS are also easily transported in the environment covering long distances away from the source of their release.

It is widely used due to its beneficial properties. For example, they are stable under intense heat. Many of them are also surfactants and are used, for example, as water and oil repellents.Due to these properties, it is widely used in non-stick coatings on kitchen utensils, rubber, silicone and paper and cardboard used in ovens, fast food containers, bread, sugar and fatty food packaging.

Despite all these properties, it is known that some PFAS accumulate in humans, animals and plants and cause toxic effects. Some PFAS are reproductively toxic and may harm fetal development. Various PFAS can cause cancer in humans.The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS may cause developmental effects and adverse effects on serum cholesterol, liver, immune system and birth weight. Therefore maximum levels for PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS were established by means of Regulation (EU) 2022/2388 of 7 December 2022.

As Nanolab Laboratories Group, we detect PFAS substances in food contact substances and materials with the LC-MS/MS device, within the detection limits in accordance with the legislation.