Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are compounds that are present in hundreds of commonly used products. It is commonly known that these compounds can lead to serious illnesses in humans. Yet, a study by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that drinking water sources that supply 25 million Californians were contaminated with PFAS.
PFAS are common ingredients in a wide range of products, including clothing, food packaging, kitchenware and cosmetics. Business owners may be well-acquainted with these substances, but they may also face liabilities if they do not take active steps to prevent PFAS contamination.
What can you do?
If your business produces, stores or sells products that contain PFAS, there are steps you can take to help prevent contamination. These include:
Ensure you comply with the law: It is often helpful to conduct regular audits to ensure your business operations are in compliance with the strict state and federal guidelines regarding PFAS management.
Improve waste management: Strengthen your company’s waste disposal to stop products with PFAS from ending up near groundwater sources.
Practice chemical storage: Businesses that store chemicals containing PFAS should make sure they do not leak into waterways.
Implement PFAS treatment: Water treatment businesses can acquire new technologies to reduce PFAS presence in treated water.
Go green: Consider offering products that are free of PFAS and eco-friendly packaging.
Launch corporate responsibility: Start programs to raise awareness about negative effects on the environment and human health.
By taking these steps, you could protect your business from liability. It can also help business owners stay proactive. Lawmakers recently filed a bill that seeks to ban the sale and distribution of products with avoidable uses of PFAS in California. Taking action now can help business owners stay ahead of legislation and even protect the community from serious health risks.