Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of man-made chemicals used widely since their inception in the 1950s. PFAS have been used in various industrial and consumer applications due to their unique properties, such as water and oil repellency, temperature resistance, and non-stick properties. PFAS Chemicals can be seen in various products, including non-stick cookware, food packaging, firefighting foams, textiles, and more.
However, these desirable properties come with undesirable effects; PFAS chemicals are incredibly persistent without our environment, leading to a buildup in water, soil, food sources, and animals. Alongside its inability to be disposed of properly, PFAS has detrimental effects on human health in long-term exposure and is linked to various diseases, illnesses, and even cancer. PFAS’ dangerous characteristics have led to growing concerns from consumers, governments, and organizations, leading to large-scale regulations coming into effect.
One of the most recent update articles with the EPA's strategy to take on PFAS regulations.
Regarding regulations against PFAS chemicals, the charge leader has been led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The first significant move in PFAS regulations came in 2016 when the EPA established a health advisory for two types of PFAS Chemicals: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). The 2016 regulation found the combined concentration of PFOS and PFOA chemicals should not exceed 70 parts per trillion (ppt). Then in 2019, the EPA announced its PFAS Action Plan, which outlined several steps to address PFAS contamination in our environment. The PFAS Action Plan develops methods for detecting and measuring PFAS in the environment, setting maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, and considering listing PFAS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Comprehensive and Liability Act (CERCLA).
One of the most significant regulatory actions taken against PFAS Chemicals came in 2020 through the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Through TSCA, the EPA can require companies to test PFAS chemicals for safety and provide more information about their potential health and environmental impacts. Including PFAS chemicals in the TSCA results in the EPA having stricter regulations over PFAS chemicals and more authority to control their production, use, and disposal. In addition to the TSCA, the EPA established recommended health advisory levels for PFAS chemicals found in drinking water. The current advisory level is set at 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for a combination of PFAS, PFOA, and PFOS. Alongside this, the EPA has provided guidelines for the remediation of PFAS contamination in soil and groundwater.
The movement against PFAS chemicals has not been limited to the Environmental Protection Agency but also individual governments within the United States of America. As of 2023, at least 20 states have established their regulations or guidelines in response to PFAS Chemicals. Whether this revolves around drinking water, environmental media, food packaging, etc., this comes in outright bans, restrictions, or regulations. Leading manufacturers, importers, processors, and more to ensure their productions and products fit these regulations, leading to the challenge of finding high-end, PFAS-free solutions without sacrificing performance.
This is where Impermea Materials excels pasts its competitors and is ahead of the industry by creating innovative PFAS-free, 100% Fluorine-free solutions. Impermea Materials offers innovative solutions for various industries by making ordinary materials perform in extraordinary ways while providing solutions to the ongoing US PFAS Regulations and Bans.
Impermea Materials offers a range of coating solutions for different sectors, including textiles, paperboard packaging, and healthcare, that are PFAS and Fluroine-Free without sacrificing performance. For textiles solutions, we offer HYDRO-TEX 1000, HYDRO-TEX + UV 1010, HYDRO-TEX + VIRUSHIELD 1030, OLEO-TEX 1100, and OLE-TEX + UV 1110 coatings that repel liquids, resist oil and water-based substances, and protection against UV rays. These solutions can be used for firefighter gear, weather gear, period underwear, and upholstery for automobiles and furniture. For paper & paperboard packaging, they offer HYDRO-PAK 4000, HYDRO-PAK + MVTR 4040, OLEO-PAK 4100, and REL-PAK 4700 coatings that provide water resistance, moisture and oxygen barrier, oil and excellent resistance, and superior release properties. These coatings can be found in pizza boxes, outside mailer envelopes, cosmetic packaging, and more. For healthcare, Impermea Materials offers HYDRO-TEX + VIRUSHIELD 1030, which turns textiles into breathable, superhydrophobic barriers, blocking stains and repelling liquids, which are suitable for PPE, scrubs, linens, etc. All coatings are PFAS-free, non-toxic, and comply with various food and healthcare regulations. Don’t see your industry? No worries, Impermea Materials offers custom solutions to meet your needs and create innovative solutions. With state-of-the-art research and development facilities and vertically integrated manufacturing spaces in Massachusetts, Impermea’s specialized team will work directly with you to improve your process while adding value and durability to your products.
As the United States works towards regulating PFAS Chemicals and the continuous study by scientists of the persistent chemicals in our environment and their effects on humans and animals, the EPA and various states nationwide have begun regulating and limiting harmful chemicals. However, despite this, we still have much work to do to eliminate PFAS chemicals from our world. Impermea Materials is committed to providing solutions that help our clients address PFAS contamination challenges. By staying at the forefront of PFAS-free technologies, we strive to help our partners manage risk and protect public health and the environment while achieving maximum sustainability.
Impermea Materials, formerly known as DetraPel Industrial, is an advanced materials company based in Massachusetts that synthesizes and manufactures the highest-performing barrier solutions, which are PFAS-free and plastic-free. Our paper & paperboard packaging product line allows customers to unlock repulpable, recyclable, compostable, and PFAS-free product innovation. We offer customizable oil & grease resistant (OGR), moisture/water vapor transmission barrier (MVTR), fan-apart adhesives, and release coatings enabling customers to win new business and gain additional market share. Our products replace existing coatings that do not enable materials like paper to replace plastic due to a lack of performance. Traditional solutions in the market are facing regulatory action due to PFAS, Plastic, or other less sustainable materials. Our solutions provide an offering that truly outperforms legacy technologies without sacrificing the sustainability you need.
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