Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) materials are everywhere and they could be the next big threat to property claims exposure, warned one expert.
Lori Festarini, vice president of environmental services at Stantec, spoke about the risks around PFAS at the recent Ontario Insurance Adjusters Associations Claims Conference in Toronto.
This material is found in many everyday items such as non-stick cookware, cleaning products, adhesives, water-resistant jackets, fast food wrappers and more. While versatile, heavy amounts can contaminate potable water.
It also just so happens to be used in firefighting foam called AFFF, or aqueous film forming foam. When fire crews respond to the scene of a fire and water isnt enough to suppress the flames, they combine this substance with water.
By doing so, however, the risk increases that these firefighting efforts could lead to tainting an areas drinking water. PFAS is often called the forever chemical because it doesnt break down naturally in the environment.