The term PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyls, constitutes a vast number of manmade substances found in countless products, including food-safe lubricants, cleaners and sanitizers, as well as stain-resistant, nonstick and grease-proof products.
PFAS began to make headlines around a decade ago, reaching a crescendo in in 2022 with a growing number of litigations and media coverage. Dubbed “forever chemicals,” PFAS never degrade. They have been linked to liver disease, cancers and child development problems. The U.S. EPA has shortlisted 430 substances of concern so far.
What risk do PFAS pose as far as lubrication is concerned? Are we being overly cautious or is this the risk not that significant?\
We talk to Samuel Cole, NSF’s global director of product certification, about the implications posed by PFAS on the lubricant industry and what NSF is doing to help remove this pernicious group of substances from the food chain.