PFAS are common chemicals in our everyday products. They are found in some utensils, clothes, umbrellas, and even tents. They are unseen, so it’s hard to tell if a product has PFAS unless the manufacturer indicates so.
Despite their popularity, PFAS are not safe for the human body. Extended exposure to these chemicals can result in cancer, liver damage, thyroid disease, and even obesity. They are also hazardous to the environment because they don’t degrade quickly. The chemicals are bonded together by a strong carbon-fluorine bond, which makes them hard to break and causes delayed degradation.
In recent years, people have raised concerns about the safety of these chemicals. While PFAS are useful for making some products, the dangers outweigh the benefits, leading to some countries banning PFAS. In this guide, we look at the predictions and possible trends to expect in the future regarding the use of these chemicals. Keep reading for some insights.
1. More Litigation Cases
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As the pressure against using PFAS continues to increase, the number of litigation cases may increase. This trend has been around for the last few years, and chances are high that it will remain the same. Today, some companies like DuPont, 3M, and Tyco Fire have already filed numerous lawsuits against PFAS. People file lawsuits against these companies because they use or sell products with PFAS. While they have their defenses, the number of such cases might increase.
Most people now understand the dangers of these chemicals to their health and the environment. If a company knowingly distributes a product with such chemicals, anyone can file the PFAS lawsuit against it. Most claims are filed by people who develop cancer or experience other adverse effects as a result of consuming the chemicals. The number of these lawsuits has been rising, and a major prediction is that the lawsuits will continue to increase.
2. Stricter Regulations against PFAS
In the future, governments and federal authorities may enforce stricter PFAS rules. This is a trend that we have seen in the past few years. As people raise more concerns about the effects of PFAS, the federal authorities have been keener on the rules they enforce. For instance, in the United States, the EPA started health-based monitoring of companies that deal with water. It plans to ensure that by 2027, no water will have any PFAS Chemicals. This compliance aims to reduce the potential damage of PFAS by minimizing its presence in water, which we use daily.
Besides America, Other nations such as Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands have been at the forefront of restricting the use of these ‘forever chemicals.’ As years go by, many countries may come up with stricter measures to regulate the use of PFAS. The federal bodies may also create more stringent measures. If this happens, the world will easily control the use of PFAS and minimize the harmful effects these chemicals bring.
3. Increased Public Awareness
One of the reasons why people experience the effects of PFAS is because they do not know the wrong side of PFAS; others are ignorant as well. However, some companies and nonprofit organizations have been at the forefront of educating people. When people understand the dangers of something, it becomes easy to avoid, and this is the case with public awareness.
Today, many online resources and programs enlighten people on PFAS. Some advocates also educate people on the importance of drinking clean water and how to ensure it’s clean. If this trend continues in the future, people will be more aware of their legal rights regarding exposure to PFAS.
4. Better PFAS Detection and Monitoring
PFAS is a global concern due to its potential hazards. As more people continue to raise concerns about it, better detection and monitoring methods are still coming up. Industry regulators and researchers are keen to know how these chemicals work, pose dangers to the body, and how they can be stopped.
As a result, many studies are still underway to understand how effectively we can detect PFAS to reduce its usage. If this trend continues, we will have methods of testing the presence of PFAS and monitoring its use. This way, getting rid of and minimizing it will be easier. It will also be easy to prove in court that PFAS was the cause of the health effects sustained.
Conclusion
The above are the main trends we can expect in the future of PFAS litigation. The lawsuits may increase, and the federal authorities may impose stricter regulations. Still, many people may become more aware of these chemicals, and better-detecting measures may be available. All these trends aim to reduce PFAS use, and hopefully, its usage will decrease with time.