Safer Materials Advisor II

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are often referred to as "Forever Chemicals". They are a group of man-made chemicals that are found in a wide range of products including clothing, food packaging, cookware, electronics, and firefighting foam. These substances are hazardous, persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic, posing significant health risks. Despite their widespread use, much remains unknown about the thousands of PFAS compounds, their occurrence, and toxicity.

The global landscape is witnessing a wave of regulation aimed at controlling PFAS. Regulatory bodies such as the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are leading the charge, with many countries proposing or implementing strict measures. In the US, litigation has resulted in significant settlements. The European Union is also imposing hefty fines for environmental crimes. Additionally, consumer awareness around PFAS is growing, influencing purchase decisions and increasing pressure on companies to address PFAS in their products.

In this evolving environment, organizations must be able to answer critical questions:

• Is there PFAS in my products, processes, or supply chain?
• How do I ensure compliance with reporting and regulatory requirements across different regions?
• Are there suitable and safer alternatives to PFAS?
• Can new and better replacements be developed?

Organizations face several challenges in addressing these questions:

• Lack of a consolidated data repository
• Mismatch between chemical representation and regulatory statements
• Missing information for proprietary components or trade secrets
• Lack of trust in provided information
• Constant changes in regulations and definitions
• Time-consuming and error-prone manual methods for data gathering

By leveraging new AI capabilities and computing technologies, IBM is accelerating the understanding of PFAS risks and the design of PFAS replacements and capture materials.

IBM Sustainable Materials Advisor

IBM's tooling for PFAS identification is designed to streamline the process of identifying and assessing PFAS in products. The workflow includes:

• Analysis of product sheets and relevant information from public sources
• User input from public or client product sheets
• Matching disclosed chemicals with regulatory notations
• Similarity analysis for proprietary chemicals
• Hazard assessment of identified chemicals
• Detailed reports on PFAS usage with risk assessments and recommendations

This comprehensive approach ensures that organizations can effectively identify, assess, and mitigate the risks associated with PFAS, paving the way for safer and more sustainable materials. Join IBM in our mission to create a safer, healthier future by addressing the challenges posed by PFAS and leading the way in sustainable materials innovation.