Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, are a broad class of over 12,000 substances that are found in a variety of consumer, commercial and industrial products, including medical devices and their packaging. PFAS can essentially be divided into two separate classes: water soluble PFAS and water insoluble PFAS.
Learn more about PFAS in medical technology in our briefing document found on this page and in the video below.
This one-pager provides a clear, accessible overview of PFAS use in medical technology and highlights the strong safety record that has guided the industry for more than fifty years. It explains how the PFAS used in medtech — specifically fluoropolymers — differ from the small-molecule PFAS often associated with environmental concerns, and why that distinction matters. The document underscores FDA findings that support the continued use of PFAS in medical devices and details independent evidence showing no conclusive links between these materials and adverse patient outcomes. It also points to the Department of Defense’s recognition of PFAS as essential to military readiness and secure supply chains. Altogether, the piece reinforces a simple message — PFAS materials used in medtech are well studied, historically safe, and critical to the reliability and performance of life-saving devices patients depend on.