Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1517668
60 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2024 safer alternative chemicals and can implement them into all processes and products that cur- rently use PFAS. Closed-loop wastewater treatment is a way of managing wastewater but not a replace- ment for PFAS in processes and products. Finding better ways to prevent PFAS releases and remediating that which has already been released is important. IPC is most concerned about policies limiting PFAS' use in current and future applications, which would signifi- cantly and negatively affect many electronics businesses' ability to operate and/or grow. e semiconductor industry has been vocal about the impact on semiconductor manufacturing should there be any restrictions on PFAS. How is IPC involved in this space? IPC's advocacy team has engaged in the U.S. and the EU for several years on emerging policies that would restrict all uses of PFAS and/or require industry to report on PFAS uses and share information about associated risks. In September 2023, IPC worked with several stakeholders, including IPC members, to provide a response to the European Chem- icals Agency's (ECHA) proposed restriction of universal PFAS under the REACH Regula- tion. We have worked with industry to gather expert insights and provide responses to poli- cymakers who are tasked with regulating these chemicals. It is a long list of contributions and engagements that IPC has undertaken over the course of several years. We have, and continue to provide, webinars and educational events to talk about emerging policies, gather more insights about supply chain challenges and the essential uses of PFAS, and talk about rules that have been passed and what they mean to the industry. PCB007 For questions, comments, or to learn more about getting involved in the IPC sustainability discussion, contact Kelly Scanlon at kellyscanlon@ipc.org. What products and/or processes are PFAS chemicals prevalent in as they relate to elec- tronics manufacturing? Kelly Scanlon: We do not have a definitive list of PFAS uses in electronics. is is because of several important factors, including the com- plexity of electronics, the complexity of PFAS, and the inability to have full supply chain transparency for all chemicals. ere are sev- eral sources of information about the uses of PFAS in electronics manufacturing processes and products. Some are more reputable than others, but there is no definitive list. Why are these chemicals so deleterious? What are their effects on the environment, human health, etc.? is is a controversial question without fully supported answers. PFAS are categorized as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals. Not all PFAS have been studied. e toxicological and epidemiological literature about the human health and environmental risks associated with PFAS is dense and grow- ing denser each day as more scientists work to understand the lifecycles of these chemicals. Some treat all PFAS as PBTs and others find nuances that make interpretation of risk very challenging. Many government resources are available that help outline what is and is not known about PFAS. Can you name any replacement products or processes/technologies that are aimed at solving this issue? Given the number of PFAS and the variety of uses of these chemicals in a variety of prod- ucts, a "drop-in replacement" does not exist. Some technologies are evolving that may pro- vide alternative manufacturing processes, and there are some product alternatives, but in general, industry uses these specific chemicals because they provide the function and level of performance needed, and which cannot be achieved through other means. Many believe it will be a very long time (if ever) before we find