PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ detected in car wash wastewater

Experts are raising alarms regarding the presence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as ‘forever chemicals’, in car wash wastewater. These synthetic compounds, found in detergents, waxes, and polishes, do not degrade naturally and can persist in soil and groundwater for decades.

Research, particularly in the United States, has linked prolonged exposure to PFAS with serious health issues, including kidney and testicular cancer, hormonal alterations, liver damage, and fertility problems. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that 97% of analyzed Americans had traces of PFAS in their blood.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies car washes as commercial activities that can release these chemicals into sewage systems. Because these substances can travel through water systems to reach rivers and aquifers, experts are calling for stricter regulations and the phase-out of these products in the automotive cleaning sector.