The argument over PFAS has been a front-burner issue for over a year now, and on many levels.
The proposed ban in the European Union is slowly making its way through the regulatory process, while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule on PFAS reporting.
And it's been more than a year since 3M said it would drop the manufacture and sale of "everything PFAS" by the end of 2025, leaving its customers to find alternative suppliers for their fluoroelastomer and fluoropolymer needs.
It's also clear that suppliers and users of the materials still strongly believe that PFAS chemicals related to their products should be dealt with separately than those that have been found to contaminate groundwater-and pose threats to humans and animals.
But the tricky part is making sure the fluoroelastomers and fluoropolymers aren't being lumped in with the 10,000 or more "forever chemicals" that fall under the PFAS umbrella.
That's where Jay West and the American Chemistry Council comes in.
He and his colleagues at ACC have been active in keeping on top of the PFAS firestorm and giving advice to members.
First on the list is to make yourself heard, a piece of advice he offered during a talk at the International Elastomer Conference in Cleveland last year.
West recommends communicating with state legislative representatives, especially in states where the issue is more prominent for the industry.
And why is that important? Simple, West says: "You should never assume that your legislators completely understand what they're legislating. Go talk to your local state senators or representatives about your business and about why these substances are important to you."
Even better, West says, bring a gasket or an O-ring that demonstrates what PFAS looks like. Legislators may think that PFAS chemicals are just substances in groundwater.
For them, PFAS may be "kind of hidden, a little bit sneaky-something you can't quite put your finger on."
But show them a tactile, material product, and the realization that the class of chemicals may have a different function, a different definition, becomes evident.
Offer data and information as to why many of these PFAS chemicals have been deemed "chemicals of low concern."
To be clear, West isn't asking people to go on national programs like "Good Morning America."
He simply is urging communication with those representing industrial areas, or with school districts where their kids attend.
Talk to the legislators and make sure they understand what PFAS is-and what it is not.
"And you can start to educate people," West said. "I always say that this PFAS issue is going to be won by thousands of small teachable moments that all accumulate into fixing the current legislative policy situation that might sweep in fluoropolymers and fluoroelastomers."