Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals," have been widely used in manufacturing due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil. However, this convenience comes at a high cost—one that many businesses, governments and consumers are only now starting to realise.
The true cost of PFAS reliance goes beyond just material impacts. Companies across industries are facing serious financial, legal, and reputational consequences due to PFAS-related environmental damage and health risks.
This blog breaks down the three major risks of PFAS for businesses—and, most importantly, how companies can take proactive action to protect their future.
1. Environmental impact: PFAS pollution is a long-term liability
The problem
PFAS are nearly indestructible in nature, accumulating in soil, water, and living organisms over time. This persistence means that even small-scale contamination today can turn into multi-million-dollar environmental cleanups in the future. The infographic below shows the PFAS cycle and the breadth of contamination sources. Companies found responsible for contamination face hefty fines, operational restrictions, and long-term environmental liabilities. It is estimated that the environmental cost and social impacts of PFAS in Europe cost over €18,500 per kg to clean up!
What companies should do now
Conduct a PFAS audit – identify where PFAS exist in your products, manufacturing processes, and supply chains. If PFAS are present, assess how much is being released into the environment and where contamination risks lie. If your company has not already assessed this data, industry-specific purchasing or buyer guides, consultancies or online service offerings are available to help to identify current usage rates.
Switch to PFAS-free materials – many industries, including food packaging, textiles, and industrial coatings, now have viable bio-based alternatives that match PFAS performance without the toxic legacy. Seaweed-based coatings currently being developed by Algae Scope are one such promising alternative.
Invest in circular economy solutions – work towards closed-loop production models that prevent chemical pollution rather than reacting to it later. Look at your entire product lifecycle—from sourcing to disposal—and find ways to eliminate hazardous waste at every stage. Algae Scope works with industries to test performance of our bio-coating and our full life-cycle assessment will offer a comparison against current PFAS usage.
2. Legal liabilities: the rise of PFAS legal challenges and compliance crackdowns
The problem
Companies using PFAS are now facing intensified regulatory scrutiny and expanding legal battles.
PFAS-related litigation – major corporations, including chemical manufacturers, food brands, and industrial producers, have already paid billions in settlements for water contamination, consumer exposure, and workplace safety violations.
Stricter regulations in 2025 – The US, EU, and Canada are ramping up bans, reporting requirements, and penalties for PFAS use. Non-compliance could result in severe financial penalties, operational shutdowns, and product bans.
What companies should do now
Stay ahead of regulations – keep track of regional and global PFAS bans. For example, the EU’s REACH initiative is working towards an all-encompassing PFAS restriction, and the US EPA has classified PFAS as hazardous substances under CERCLA. Ensure your legal and compliance teams are proactively monitoring upcoming changes. Here is a link to our previous blog outlining the current regulations. If you are a LinkedIn user, we also recently published an update there on the ever-changing regulations here.
Assess legal exposure – if your company has historically used PFAS, consult legal and environmental experts to review potential liability. Consider participating in voluntary PFAS phase-outs before mandatory recalls force your hand.
Develop a PFAS-free policy – formalise internal guidelines and corporate commitments to phase out PFAS, set supplier requirements, and ensure full transparency with stakeholders. Having a clear policy can help reduce legal risks and enhance corporate credibility.
A word of caution! Many companies still rely on other synthetic chemicals that are not yet regulated but may be in the future. As scientific research advances, more of the thousands of PFAS compounds may be identified as harmful, and regulations will likely expand to cover these emerging chemicals. By choosing PFAS-free options, we are proactively avoiding, mitigating and preventing potential future risks.
Another word of caution! Some PFAS-free alternatives, such as beeswax or silkworm-derived materials, rely on limited natural resources. These resources may raise concerns about sustainability and the environmental impact of their extraction or production. As we shift towards PFAS-free materials, it's crucial to evaluate the broader environmental footprint of the alternatives we choose to ensure they are truly sustainable in the long term.
3. Human health risks: long-term consequences for workers and consumers
The Problem
Over 200 studies have linked PFAS to severe health conditions such as:
Cancer (kidney, liver, and testicular cancer)
Hormonal disruption and fertility issues
Immune system suppression
Developmental delays in children
Emerging studies suggest that PFAS levels in children are up to 4 x higher than in adults
Workers exposed to PFAS during manufacturing or industrial processing may face a higher risk of developing these conditions. Meanwhile, consumers unknowingly ingest and inhale PFAS through contaminated water, food, and the use of everyday household items.
What companies should do now
Protect employees from exposure – if your business still handles PFAS, update workplace safety policies to reduce direct exposure, provide protective equipment, and implement safer handling protocols. Consider shifting to PFAS-free alternatives wherever possible.
Be transparent with consumers – if your products previously contained PFAS, communicate openly about your transition to safer materials. Consumers are increasingly choosing brands based on environmental and health safety.
Partner with sustainability-focused suppliers – make PFAS-free sourcing a non-negotiable requirement in your supply chain. Brands that take the lead in sustainability now will gain long-term customer trust.
PFAS-free alternatives exist that are viable, scalable, more environmentally friendly and arguably safer for human health.
The hidden costs of PFAS are too significant to ignore. As regulations tighten, litigation escalates, and consumer awareness and expectations shift, companies that continue using PFAS risk financial, legal, and reputational damage.
By auditing supply chains, investing in alternative materials, and committing to full transparency, businesses can future-proof their operations while contributing to a healthier planet.
Your next step?
The transition away from PFAS doesn’t have to be disruptive. Seaweed-based solutions and other bio-based materials offer a sustainable, high-performance alternative for industries looking to make the shift. Get ahead of the regulations. Explore PFAS-free solutions today.
To explore how Algae Scope's PFAS-free coating for materials could benefit you, feel free to reach out to us for an informative, no-obligation conversation: contact us.
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