{"id":128949,"date":"2025-10-31T14:49:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T14:49:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ecoonline.com\/?p=128949"},"modified":"2025-11-03T11:57:42","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T11:57:42","slug":"5-steps-to-mitigate-the-risks-of-pfas-in-your-organisation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ecoonline.com\/en-nz\/blog\/5-steps-to-mitigate-the-risks-of-pfas-in-your-organisation\/","title":{"rendered":"5 steps to mitigate the risks of PFAS in your organisation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Picture this: it\u2019s 1938 and industries are celebrating a major breakthrough. A new compound has been discovered by a 27-year-old research chemist named Roy J Plunkett<\/a> that promises to revolutionise everyday products. Decades pass and this innovative compound \u2013 Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) \u2013 becomes just one member of a large group of chemicals we now classify as PFAS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PFAS quietly embed themselves into our lives and everyday tasks seem to become more convenient. Our eggs are no longer sticking to our pans thanks to Teflon coatings and we can now take a walk in the rain and stay dry because of our waterproof Scotchgard jackets. From cookware, clothing and cosmetics to fabrics, cleaning products, paper and packaging, PFAS are pervasive. But there\u2019s something quite different about these innovative chemicals. They\u2019re not going away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we now know, PFAS are essentially indestructible. What made these compounds so appealing in the first place is more or less why they\u2019re problematic: Their resiliency. PFAS linger in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and even in our bodies and the bodies of our beloved pets. In fact, according to a recent analysis<\/a>, \u201cmore than a third of water courses tested in England and Wales contain medium or high-risk levels of PFAS.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is bad news, as certain types of PFAs have been linked to serious health problems like<\/a>; cancer, liver damage, fertility issue, high cholesterol, and weakened immunity. What\u2019s more, since there are thousands of different PFAS (many of which haven\u2019t even been studied yet) we don\u2019t yet fully understand how harmful they all may be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gone are the days of blissful ignorance and reckless carelessness. Governments around the globe are creating regulations to ban PFAs and encourage safer alternatives. In Great Britain, the UK REACH work programme is targeting harmful chemicals and focusing restrictions on PFAS.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For organisations today, the complicated legacy of PFAS poses an urgent question: What is our responsibility in addressing the impact of these substances? PFAS mitigation should be a top priority for all. Not just to keep your workplace safe and reduce environmental harm, but also to avoid legal troubles and financial headaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While getting rid of PFAS can be a complicated process, there are some key measures you can take. Read on to find out our top five suggestions for how to avoid PFAS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Table of contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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