New literature study: PFAS is hiding in many places in construction
The chemical group PFAS can be found in many building products. This is shown by a review of five international studies
Where and to what extent are PFAS used in construction? A group of experts has investigated these questions in connection with the project 'PFAS in construction'A review of the literature in the field shows that many building products can potentially contain the harmful group of substances.
The reason PFAS is used is due to the chemicals' beneficial properties, such as being water and dirt repellent. It is currently used in many products and production processes, including in the production of paint, varnish, wood, furniture, cardboard, paper, rubber, plastic and the chemical industry.
In the project, we have prepared the figure below, the PFAS circle, which shows the construction products that, according to the literature review, are likely to contain PFAS. The construction products in the figure are each connected to colored circle segments that indicate which type of PFAS the product and/or its surface treatment contains.
Also find the illustration in Danish here.
The overall message of the figure is that PFAS can occur in many parts of the construction industry. But there is a lot of knowledge missing, including how much PFAS is in Danish construction products, how the industry can avoid it, and how construction waste containing PFAS should be handled. That is why this project group has delved into the subject.
Later in the project, we will publish a report that will include new test results for building products containing PFAS. We will also prepare a number of recommendations for what the construction industry and politicians can and should do regarding PFAS in construction.
More about the PFAS circle figure
The figure is divided into general product categories, as well as a miscellaneous category. Under each category, products are listed either by product type or function.
Some products' black lines hit multiple rings, indicating that multiple PFAS classes have been found in the same product type, and if so, it will also be possible to read whether it was used in the product itself, in a surface treatment, or both.
The figure is not necessarily a picture of whether building products on the Danish market contain PFAS, as it is based on international studies. However, it gives an indication of where it may commonly be used, and where you as a consumer should ask about the content. The figure also shows the variation of the PFAS classes and the spread of where in the products PFAS is typically found.
According to the figure, for example, there are not that many products that contain polyfluoroalkyl acids. And for all three PFAS classes, PFAS is identified both as content in the product and in the surface treatment.
The comprehensive overview of the use of PFAS in construction products has been an important starting point for selecting products for testing for PFAS content in the Danish market. These test results will be published in the fall of 2025.
The study of literature was carried out by Katrine Hauge Smith from WSP Danmark A/S, Anna-Mette Monnelly from Søren Jensen Consulting Engineering Firm A/S and Martha Lewis from Henning Larsen Architects.
For more information on the study of literature contact: Katrine Hauge Smith from WSP Danmark A/S, katrine.smith@wsp.com
Characters has been prepared by Anna-Mette Monnelly (amo@sj.dk) and Martha Lewis from Henning Larsen (mlew@henninglarsen.com).
The literature study is part of the projectet 'PFAS in construction', fifunded by Realdania and the Danish Homeowners' Investment Fund.
The overall project team consists of experts from the Danish Technological Institute, WSP Danmark A/S, Henning Larsen Architects, Søren Jensen Consulting Engineering Firm A/S and the Green Transition Denmark.
Conference at Christianborg on September 9th
The construction industry faces a major challenge. Where and to what extent does construction contain PFAS? What are the consequences of having PFAS in your buildings for people and the environment? Can you even ensure that your construction is PFAS-free? How do you handle construction waste that may contain PFAS? ?
We will delve into all of this during our PFAS conference on September 9 at 13 p.m. at Christiansborg.
References to five international studies on which the PFAS circle and literature study are based:
Bečanová, J., Melymuk, L., Vojta, Š., Komprdová, K., & Klánová, J. (2016). Screening for perfluoroalkyl acids in consumer products, building materials and wastes. Chemosphere164, 322–329.
Glüge, J., Scheringer, M., Cousins, IT, DeWitt, JC, Goldenman, G., Herzke, D., Lohmann, R., Ng, CA, Trier, X., & Wang, Z. (2020). An overview of the uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Environmental Science Processes & Impacts, 22(12), 2345–2373.
Janousek, RM, Lebertz, S., & Knepper, TP (2019). Previously unidentified sources of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances from building materials and industrial fabrics. Environmental Science Processes & Impacts, 21(11), 1936–1945.
Knepper, Thomas P. and Raphael M. Janousek. (2020, June 1). Potential SVHCs in environment and products: Measurements of the presence of potential substances of very high concern in the environment and in products. Umweltbundesamt.
Rojello Fernández, Seth and Carol Kwiatkowski, Tom Bruton. (2021). BUILDING A BETTER WORLD Eliminating Unnecessary PFAS in Building Materials. Green Science Policy Institute.
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