Widespread use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by the building industry places it among the major consumers of these chemicals. At the same time, ambiguous labelling and a lack of PFAS measurements in building materials hampers the possibility for consumers to select products which are PFAS-free. To address this, 35 representative sealers were analyzed using a fluorine mass balance approach, combining total and extractable organofluorine (TF and EOF, respectively) measurements with targeted PFAS analysis. TF analysis showed that 81% of the sealers contained fluorinated compounds at concentrations ranging from <LOD up to 27 150 µg F/g. A comparison to EOF revealed that the fluorine in most products was extractable and organic (EOF range <LOD up to 24 073 µg F/g), and most likely PFAS. Nevertheless, targeted PFAS analysis could only account for up to 31% of EOF, pointing to the presence of polymeric PFAS and potentially other low molecular PFAS. Among the detected PFAS, polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (PAPs) were the dominant sub-class. Six products appeared to not contain intentionally added PFAS, with organosilicone chemistry identified as the main functional component. Notably, organosilicone-based compounds are also under regulatory scrutiny, and differing views on their risks highlight the broader challenge of identifying truly safer alternatives.

Total fluorine was determined in 45 consumer product samples from the Swedish market which were either suspected or known to contain fluorinated polymers. Product categories included cookware (70–550 000 ppm F), textiles (10–1600 ppm F), electronics (20–2100 ppm F), and personal care products (10–630 000 ppm F). To confirm that the fluorine was organic in nature, and deduce structure, a qualitative pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (pyr-GC/MS) method was validated using a suite of reference materials. When applied to samples with unknown PFAS content, the method was successful at identifying polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in cookware, dental products, and electronics at concentrations as low as 0.1–0.2 wt%. It was also possible to distinguish between 3 different side-chain fluorinated polymers in textiles. Several products appeared to contain high levels of inorganic fluorine. This is one of the few studies to quantify fluorine in a wide range of consumer plastics and provides important data on the concentration of fluorine in materials which may be intended for recycling, along with insights into the application of pyr-GC/MS for structural elucidation of fluorinated polymers in consumer products.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are recognized as problematic environmental contaminants due to their extreme persistence and other problematic properties. Electrolyte salts and imides such as lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆), and lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF₄) are widely used in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), yet their environmental emissions and occurrence remain poorly characterized. This study provides the first comparative assessment of fluorinated compounds associated with the LIB lifecycle in central and northern Europe, focusing on manufacturing in Hungary, electric vehicle production in Germany, and recycling and landfill activities in Sweden. Targeted analysis of surface water, effluent, and leachate samples revealed measurable concentrations of bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI^-), inorganic fluorinated anions hexafluorophosphate (PF₆^-) and tetrafluoroborate (BF₄^-) across all sites, with distinct regional profiles. In Hungary, BF₄^- dominated the Danube River and was detected in drinking water, suggesting incomplete removal during riverbank filtration. In Germany, temporal monitoring of the River Erpe showed elevated TFSI^- and PF₆^- levels linked to industrial activity, with clear decreases during a plant shutdown. In Sweden, recycling facilities and landfills emerged as major contributors, with TFSI^- concentrations exceeding 300 ng/L and PF₆^- reaching nearly 39 000 ng/L downstream of a landfill. While these compounds are consistent with LIB applications, they are not exclusive to batteries, and other sources cannot be ruled out. The detection of these substances in treated drinking water underscores their persistence and mobility. Our findings highlight the need for systematic monitoring, improved source attribution, and regulatory oversight of novel fluorinated substances used in LIBs to ensure that the transition to low carbon technologies does not inadvertently exacerbate chemical pollution.

The class-wide restriction proposal on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the European Union is expected to affect a wide range of commercial sectors, including the lithium-ion battery (LIB) industry, where both polymeric and low molecular weight PFAS are used. The PFAS restriction dossiers currently state that there is weak evidence for viable alternatives to the use of PFAS in LIBs. In this Perspective, we summarize both the peer-reviewed literature and expert opinions from academia and industry to verify the legitimacy of the claims surrounding the lack of alternatives. Our assessment is limited to the electrodes and electrolyte, which account for the most critical uses of PFAS in LIB cells. Companies that already offer or are developing PFAS-free electrode and electrolyte materials were identified. There are also indications that PFAS-free electrolytes are in development by at least one other company, but there is no information regarding the alternative chemistries being proposed. Our review suggests that it is technically feasible to make PFAS-free batteries for battery applications, but PFAS-free solutions are not currently well-established on the market. Successful substitution of PFAS will require an appropriate balance among battery performance, the environmental effects associated with hazardous materials and chemicals, and economic considerations.