PFAS stands for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, a large group of human-made chemicals that have been widely used in industrial and consumer products since the 1940s. PFAS are known for their unique properties, such as resistance to heat, water, oil, and stains, which make them useful in a variety of applications. However, they are also known as "forever chemicals" because they are highly persistent in the environment and the human body, raising significant health and environmental concerns.

Alternate Material Selection is the process of identifying and choosing substitute materials for a specific application or product to achieve desired performance, cost, sustainability, or regulatory compliance goals. This process is critical in industries such as manufacturing, construction, automotive, aerospace, electronics, and healthcare, where material properties directly impact product functionality, safety, and environmental impact.