Prohibit PFAS
On February 7, 2323, the European Union began to consider a proposal to ban the widespread use of perfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), potentially harmful substances known as "permanent chemicals", which may have a significant impact on the supply chain of many industries, including semiconductors.
Due to PFAS's long-term resistance to extreme temperature and corrosion, these chemicals have been used in tens of thousands of products, including aircraft, automobiles, textiles, medical equipment and wind farms. However, studies in recent decades have found that PFAS is highly associated with health risks such as cancer, hormone dysfunction, weakened immune system and environmental damage. If the proposal is passed, it will become the "largest ban on chemical substances" in Europe.
The full English name of PFAS is per/polyfluoroalkyl substituents, namely perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds. Due to their special physical and chemical properties, PFAS is often used to manufacture daily necessities with antifouling, waterproof and grease resistance.
In short, PFAS is widely used in the whole industry and consumer goods because of its high temperature and corrosion resistance. And in many cases, there is no substitute.
Its nickname of "forever chemical" stems from the fact that the carbon-fluorine bond of PFAS is the strongest in organic chemistry, which means that it is not easy to decompose and accumulate in human body and environment over time. Some of them are related to the injury of unborn infants, the injury of human internal organs and the pollution of water and wildlife.
