The Right Approach: I Hear the Train A Comin'
It’s Only Common Sense: OCCAM—the Time Is Now
Marcy's Musings: The Growing IndustryThe Many Complexities of PFAS
March 26, 2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineEstimated reading time: 1 minute
As our industry grapples with environmental sustainability in our products and processes, per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) naturally come up in discussion, especially as they pertain to advocacy and government regulations. Kelly Scanlon, lead sustainability strategist at IPC, provides some basic education (or re-education) around PFAS, and the discussion and activity surrounding them. This is a complicated topic area that is prone to misunderstanding and misinterpretation.
In its simplest definition, PFAS is a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Fluoropolymer coatings can be in a variety of products. Though this definition is not inaccurate, it can be misleading. Depending on who you ask, there are upward of 10,000 PFAS chemistries that can meet various definitions. Given this lack of confluence in an agreed-upon working definition of PFAS, as well as agreement as to all the chemicals that fall under that moniker, answering questions regarding PFAS with clarity and undisputed accuracy is a challenge.
Regarding PFAS, there are many regulatory activities at the local through national levels in various jurisdictions around the world. Though some of these questions may seem prosaic, the answers are not easy because all questions regarding PFAS tend to be politically fraught.
IPC has engaged in policy actions related to PFAS in the U.S. and the EU. These have been multi-year engagements, and the regulations are only slowly emerging given the complexity of the chemicals and their uses.
What products and/or processes are PFAS chemicals prevalent in as they relate to electronics manufacturing?
Kelly Scanlon: We do not have a definitive list of PFAS uses in electronics. This is because of several important factors, including the complexity of electronics, the complexity of PFAS, and the inability to have full supply chain transparency for all chemicals. There are several sources of information about the uses of PFAS in electronics manufacturing processes and products. Some are more reputable than others, but there is no definitive list.
To read this entire conversation, which appeared in the March 2024 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
The Government Circuit: An ‘Interesting’ Year in Washington and Brussels
10/11/2023 | Chris Mitchell -- Column: The Government CircuitIn Washington, D.C., Brussels, and worldwide, it has been an “interesting” year in the halls of government, and the IPC Government Relations team is gearing up for a busy winter season of advocacy on the electronics industry’s behalf. The IPC GR Team’s overall goal is to promote government policy decisions that make it easier for our members—more than 3,000 companies across the electronics ecosystem—to innovate and grow. So far this year, we have seen a series of policy developments that IPC and its members and allies have been urging for years. Here are some highlights.
PFAS: Sounding the Alarm
06/02/2023 | Suhani Chitalia, IPC Environmental Regulatory Affairs ManagerMan-made chemicals known as PFAS have regulators busy trying to address previous releases and prevent future releases of this chemical into the environment from widespread uses in manufacturing processes and products used across the globe. PFAS chemicals tend to be persistent in the environment and they have been used long enough and in enough applications that their unwanted presence in the environment has public health policymakers concerned.
The Government Circuit: PCBs, Advanced Packaging Key to CHIPS Act Success
03/29/2023 | Chris Mitchell -- Column: The Government CircuitIn 2023, IPC is educating all key audiences about the importance of printed circuit boards, IC substrates, and advanced packaging in the semiconductor supply chain. In this column, we'll discuss the recent efforts made by the United States and Europe to invest in the entire semiconductor supply chain and strengthen the electronics industry. Also, read on for fresh environmental policy updates, as well as ways to get involved in IPC’s advocacy efforts.
PFAS Regulations: A Global Landscape
02/13/2023 | Suhani Chitalia, IPCPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are continuing to garner industry attention on a state, federal, and global level. This group of over 4,500 man-made chemicals has a wide range of uses - from consumer products to industrial applications.
Atotech Launches Fumalock
04/01/2021 | AtotechAtotech, a leading global supplier of specialty surface-finishing solutions, announced the global launch of Fumalock, the first non-PFAS, fluorine-free fume suppressant for hexavalent hard chrome processes on the global market.