1. These compounds are extremely good at what they do. From lubrication to fire retardants there’s a reason these compounds are everywhere.
2. The press and many activists tend to treat things in a binary manner but science doesn’t really work like that. It’s clear that very high levels of these compounds are bad. It’s less clear that lower levels are bad. Lots of things (like vitamins) are toxic at high levels and actually good at low levels. Not saying PFAS is good, but it’s not as simple as just saying any is terrible either.
3. The ability to detect these compounds has gotten much better over the years. We’re now talking parts per trillion measurements. At those levels you can find just about anything. A lot of the current panic is a combo of this ability to measure things combined with “2” above around any detection being slated as terrible.
4. Both the reporting and public’s reactions tend to be illogical. PFAS found at a nearby factory? Shut it down. Sue everyone. However a growing body of evidence is finding PFAS in things like synthetic turf playing fields and yet with rare exception most school districts seem perfectly happy having these instead of plain old grass. As such the amount of “outrage” is often rooted in the convenience of it supporting existing activist movements (close the factory!) than it is based in any science or defensible reality.
Not for a moment trying to suggest we shouldn’t pay attention to this, and we probably should look for alternative compounds. But the near hysteria from some corners creates more of a distraction than actually helping anything.