PFAS – the ‘forever chemical’ behind a new wave of global litigation

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been commercially produced since the 1940s. They are used widely in materials, from fabrics to packaging, because of their ability to resist heat, oil and water. They are also used in firefighting foams, which account for around one-third of total global PFAS production.