FOREVER CHEMICALS | UPSC Current Affairs

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Context

An Oxford University-led study has found alarming levels of toxic PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals” in the ice around Svalbard, Norway which pose a risk to the region’s wildlife.

PFAs

About

The PFAs refer to a class of around 12,000 chemicals which are often found in consumer products which resist water, heat or stains and are also called “forever chemicals” since they do not naturally break down over time.
Known as PFAS, which stands for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, the chemicals are used in everything from cosmetics to furniture.

Impact

These chemicals are linked to a number of diseases including cancer, liver disease, etc. They can lead to thyroid disruption, reduced responses to vaccination and other health problems. Therefore, these contaminants, once passed on, can affect the entire food web from small organisms like plankton or fish to apex predators in the region like polar bears.
One study found a greater than twofold increase in kidney cancer risk between people with the highest versus lowest blood levels of one common PFAS called perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, researchers reported in 2021 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
PFAS can be toxic to both humans and wildlife. Two of the most studied of the chemicals in this family, PFOA and PFOS have been shown to: Interfere with the hormonal system (so they are called endocrine disruptors) Interfere with the reproductive system and the development of the foetus.

Findings and Concerns

The Norwegian Arctic ice consists of 26 types of PFAS compounds which once the ice melts can be passed to ecosystems like Arctic fjords and tundra.
High levels of PFAs have been found in the polar bear's bloodstream, as per the report. The study found the levels of these “forever chemicals” in the ice, were higher than the United States advisory drinking water limits were.
The Report noted the “doubling up effect” on animals as climate changes and ice melts since the climate has reportedly been warming up in Svalbard faster than the world average.
The study also found high levels of TFA, a refrigeration byproduct caused by hydrofluoroolefin (HFOs) after chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a potent greenhouse gas used for refrigeration, was phased out.
The HFOs, which are also greenhouse gasses once released, can turn into TFA, the levels of which the study finds have been increasing in the Arctic. Additionally, TFA and other PFAS compounds are highly mobile and can even move through the atmosphere to anywhere in the world. While TFA is said to be less toxic when compared to several other PFAs, its limited knowledge needs addressing, as no one is fully aware of the damage these compounds might be causing to the environment.

Way Ahead

Investors managing $8 trillion in assets have already written to the world's biggest chemicals companies urging them to phase out the use of so-called forever chemicals that can accumulate in the environment and remain hazardous for generations.
Companies need to be more transparent about their global production of the chemicals and publish a time-bound plan to phase out their production of Forever Chemicals.
Government, International organizations and other stakeholders need to frame a policy and implement it in a war footing to phase out these chemicals completely. More stringent regulation is needed for ‘forever chemicals’.