Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances are a vast group of anthropogenic organic compounds consisting of a hydrophobic fluorinated alkyl chain and a hydrophilic functional group.

Two of the most commonly used PFAS, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have been listed in the annexes of the UNEP Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) with the aim of eliminating their production and uses.