Title:  “Avoid Foam” and Other Consequences of Living in a World with PFAS

Abstract: “Avoid Foam” signs now warn of PFAS,  per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, contamination in parts of Michigan.  Christened “forever chemicals”, PFAS are of great concern across the globe, with Michigan being particularly impacted.  This talk will review the definition of PFAS, why they are a concern, the history and decisions leading to the issues faced today, and what is being done.  PFAS are an example of unintended consequences of a chemical technology.  They are used because they provide benefits, but those benefits come with risks that are only now being understood. Getting rid of something that lasts forever is a daunting task.  It is made more daunting by introduction of new PFAS materials, including pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals.

About: Mark Jones is Creative Director at MJPhD, llc, an independent consulting firm.  He is an ACS Fellow and frequent ACS contributor. He is a contributor to ACS Industry Matters (http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/industry/industry-matters/mark-e-jones.html) and is a frequent contributor to ACS Webinars.  His articles appear in Design World, R&D Magazine, Chemistry World, Chemicals Knowledge and others.  He gives frequent talks and lectures on a variety of topics from sustainability, to chemical industry history, to presentation skills and more.  Mark has over 30 year of industrial experience and touched many technology areas during his career.