To PFAS or not to PFAS. That is the question facing legacy Great Bend commercial cleaner maker Fuller Industries Inc. and other chemical companies grappling with pending Environmental Protection Agency regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as forever chemicals, due to long-term environmental and health hazards.
So, in this era focused on environmental sustainability, Fuller is on the front lines by launching its PFAS-free line of floor finish products. The last of the innovations will roll out by August.
“Once lauded for their exceptional water, oil, and heat resistance, these synthetic chemicals are now raising significant concerns due to their environmental persistence and potential health impacts,” said Fuller General Manager Joe Mann. “Our offerings provide all the effectiveness of these without the environmental and safety issues.”
Mounting evidence regarding their environmental and health effects has intensified the urgency to understand these substances and inspired the scientific team at Fuller to search for viable alternatives, Mann said.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are synthetic chemicals known for their persistent nature in the environment. Widely used in products such as cleaners, non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, firefighting foams, and food packaging, PFAS have been linked to various health concerns, including increased cholesterol levels, reduced vaccine effectiveness, and an elevated risk of certain cancers.
The environmental consequences of PFAS contamination are equally troubling, the EPA noted. Water sources across the globe are increasingly polluted with these chemicals, posing a potential threat to both wildlife and human populations.
Ironically, the properties that initially made PFAS so useful – resistance to degradation – are what render them a hazard, leading to their indefinite presence in ecosystems.
Faced with these pressing concerns, Fuller has joined the global community in actively searching for feasible and safer alternatives to PFAS. A key challenge lies in replicating the unique performance characteristics of PFAS without compromising safety or environmental integrity. Promising alternatives are emerging across various sectors, driven by advancements in material science and innovative manufacturing processes.
The line includes 3V6, Quasar, Dimension, Appearance 2000, Interstate 50, and DeFense. They offer the same durable shine, excellent protection and easy maintenance without the environmental and health concerns associated with PFAS.
“The drive to find PFAS alternatives signifies more than just a search for new substances; it represents a fundamental shift in how products are designed and manufactured,” Mann said. “This evolution reflects a broader adoption of green chemistry principles, emphasizing waste minimization, toxicity reduction, and enhanced efficiency from the initial stages of production.”
