PFAS Awareness in Skiing

Hello, my name is Youp Cobben and for my Extended Essay im researching PFAS chemicals. PFAS are a group of synthetic, toxic and globally ubiquitous pollutants. These chemicals are largely used for their non-stick properties. Whether teflon pans or ski waxes, they are some of the best adhesive chemicals used across the industry.

Here in Switzerland, they are commonly used for skiing. They are largely bioaccumaltive in environments, food webs and water systems. In humans, small amounts can readily lead to kidney cancer, thyroid disease, high cholestorel and many other medical issues. Some family members, like PFOA are on the annex A list of global elimination by the Stockholm convention in 2020 due to the immense danger it poses.

They largely consist of flourine to carbon bonds. These are some of the strongest bonds in our world and therefore almost never naturally degrade, hence the nickname 'forever chemicals'. There currently exists no method of breaking down PFAS chemicals on a large scale, this issue is also relatively new in Switzerland. Therefore, the first step in mitigation is understanding the scope, spread and source of these chemicals.

Skiing leaves these chemicals on snow, which seaps into our water supplies. Already, many scientists across Switzerland are reporting above-the-guideline-concentrations of PFAS in water bodies.

I would like to see how the LAAX ski resort is contributing to the PFAS chemical crisis through the usage of Skiwax. PFAS concentrations are already threatening at nanodosages, hence testing them is expensive. Please help me and the environment in understanding the scope of how PFAS has impacted our environment!

My Mother's name is only written above due to my needing a bank account of someone above the age of 18.