The Hidden Forever Chemicals in Your Computer Chips
▼ Summary
– PFAS are “forever chemicals” that persist in the environment and human bodies for years, with most Americans already having them in their blood.
– These chemicals have been linked to serious health issues including kidney cancer, hypertension during pregnancy, and high cholesterol.
– Lawsuits have pressured companies to phase out some PFAS, leading to significant drops in blood levels of certain types over recent decades.
– Despite progress, thousands of PFAS variants exist, and replacement chemicals are raising new health concerns while deregulation efforts are underway.
– The semiconductor industry’s growth, supported by deregulation under the Trump administration, is increasing demand for PFAS in manufacturing, complicating environmental efforts.
The persistent presence of forever chemicals in our technology supply chain poses a growing environmental and health challenge, particularly as demand for semiconductors surges. These substances, technically known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), earned their nickname due to remarkably stable molecular bonds that resist degradation. They can linger in ecosystems for centuries and accumulate in human tissue for years. National health surveys confirm that most people in the United States carry detectable levels of PFAS in their bloodstream, often through contaminated food, water, or occupational exposure.
Ongoing research continues to uncover troubling health implications associated with these compounds. Kidney and testicular cancers, hypertension, pregnancy complications, and elevated cholesterol are among the conditions linked to widespread PFAS exposure. In response to mounting litigation, several major manufacturers, including 3M and DuPont, have committed to reducing or eliminating certain types of these chemicals. Over the past two decades, blood levels of some common PFAS variants have dropped significantly as their use declined. Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency established the first federal limits on several forever chemicals in drinking water.
However, the situation is far from resolved. There are thousands of distinct PFAS compounds, and many newer versions, intended as replacements, are now raising fresh concerns. Complicating matters further, recent regulatory shifts have created a more permissive environment. The current administration has proposed rolling back drinking water standards for PFAS and extended compliance deadlines for certain chemical manufacturers.
This regulatory relaxation coincides with a major push to expand domestic semiconductor production. The global chip shortage highlighted vulnerabilities in supply chains, and the rise of artificial intelligence has only intensified demand for advanced processors. Companies like Chemours, a DuPont spinoff, emphasize their “indispensable” role in semiconductor manufacturing, citing the use of PFAS-based materials like Teflon for its heat and corrosion resistance. The firm is also developing specialized cooling fluids containing PFAS for data center immersion systems.
The industry has taken note of potential disruptions. The Semiconductor Industry Association formed a PFAS consortium, which includes Chemours and DuPont, to address looming regulatory challenges. Meanwhile, policy changes are accelerating: certain chemical producers tied to semiconductors have received temporary exemptions from pollution rules, and a senior EPA official with ties to the chemical industry is reportedly working to undo regulations that hold companies accountable for PFAS cleanup.
An EPA spokesperson stated that the agency remains committed to holding polluters accountable and that no final decisions have been made on proposed rule changes. Chemours, for its part, says it is investing in advanced emissions control technology to minimize chemical releases.
Nevertheless, the path forward remains uncertain. The EPA must still finalize its proposed rules, and legal challenges are expected as it moves to weaken air and water protections. After years of slow progress in addressing PFAS contamination, the push for deregulation, coupled with relentless demand for chips, suggests these forever chemicals may remain in our environment, and our gadgets, for a very long time.
(Source: The Verge)
