Whether you’re involved in the PPE sector or not, it is likely that you have encountered the term ‘PFAS’. Today, these substances have become a critically relevant topic with global regulatory shifts, heightened concern regarding the health impacts, and reckoning how to balance its protective benefits with the associated risks.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are used in a variety of applications, including a range of personal protective equipment (PPE) categories, such as firefighting gear, chemical-resistant suits, waterproof items, laboratory coats, and more.
The wide use of PFAS in PPE is a result of its many functional qualities.
From the list of PPE examples provided, you will notice just how far-reaching the range of functional properties are. PFAS has become integral to PPE design due to their unique combination of performance characteristics.
The below list details some of the properties of PFAS which makes them a highly functional in protective wear:
- Water and oil repellency – preventing absorption and maintaining low garment weight in wet or contaminated conditions.
- Chemical resistance – offering protection against fuels, solvents, acids, and other hazardous substances.
- Thermal and flame resistance – withstanding elevated temperatures without structural degradation.
- Low surface energy – reducing the adhesion of contaminants and facilitating decontamination.
- Exceptional durability – retaining protective performance over prolonged use and exposure.
Breathable waterproofing – enabling the passage of water vapour while preventing liquid penetration, thereby improving comfort.
These attributes are critical in high-risk settings, even life-saving.
However, it is precisely the properties that make PFAS so valuable in protective wear, which also make them a significant concern for human health and the environment. Due to the stability of these substances, they break down at an extremely slow rate. As a result, they have the ability to bioaccumulate in food chains and human tissue. It is these behaviours of PFAS which have earned them the nickname ‘forever chemicals’.
This discovery has raised public health concerns, prompting a global reassessment of their use, and regulatory changes.
As an industry, how can the PPE sector reckon with the double-edged sword of PFAS: their durable properties can be life-saving, while simultaneously posing health risks.
The first step to tackling this reality is to become equipped with knowledge and understanding; about PFAS, their effects, regulations and how supply chains can be supported
The best place to access this information is from the experts. BTTG® is recognised for its role in supporting the PPE industry, amongst others, through its testing, certification and auditing services. However, its sister company, Shirley®, maintains a key focus in the chemical and microbiological testing of textiles, including that of PFAS.
It is natural that we join forces to deliver you the information to support your business, straight from the experts.
On Tuesday 19th August 2025, and Gareth Heywood, Shirley® Laboratory Manager, and Chris Butcher, Certification Manager for BTTG®, Shirley® IE and Shirley®, will be hosting the seminar ‘Understanding the PFAS regulations’.
Join us for an engaging session, where Gareth and Chris will guide you through:
- What PFAS are, and why they matter in textiles
- Emerging global regulations
- Testing and detection
- Certification & compliance pathways
- And more!
Time: Tuesday 19th August 2025, 10:30am – 12:30pm BST
Attendance: The event can be attended online via Teams, or in person at our Manchester offices.
Charge: Club Members can attend for free for up to two staff members. Non-members can also attend for a fee.
To register for the event, please email onestopshop@bttg.co.uk.
If you would like support in navigating the protective properties and health risks of PFAS, this seminar is not one to miss.
We look forward to welcoming you for an engaging day of key insights.
