The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), has evaluated the carcinogenicity of two types of per- and polyfluoralkyl substances—perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)—and classified them as “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1) and “possibly carcinogenic to humans,” (Group 2B) respectively.
PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” due to their indefinite persistence in the human body and the environment, as they take a very long time to degrade and build up over time. In recent years, their pervasiveness in drinking water has been noted by experts in the UK, the U.S., and globally, and the body of evidence regarding their harms to human health has grown. PFAS, including PFOS and PFOA, have been used in non-stick and stain-resistant consumer products, such as cookware, as well as in food packaging. However, some state and national governments are beginning to restrict or ban the use of certain PFAS, and some companies are beginning to voluntarily phase them out from products.