Introduction
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large class of synthetic compounds valued for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. Their chemical stability has driven widespread industrial and commercial use, but also results in environmental persistence and potential health impacts. These characteristics have prompted regulatory scrutiny and emerging class action litigation in Canada.
Recent developments include Health Canada’s updated drinking-water objective, the Government of Canada’s Final State of PFAS Report and proposed Risk Management Approach, and publicly reported mapping of PFAS hotspots nationwide by the CBC and The Globe and Mail. Class actions are also on the rise, largely addressing property-value impacts due to the stigma of PFAS contamination in residential drinking water.