Risk Analysis of Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances in Leather Products

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been widely employed in leather processing due to their exceptional water- and oil-repellent properties, yet their environmental persistence and bioaccumulative characteristics pose potential threats to ecosystems and human health. This paper systematically analyzed the current application status of PFAS in the leather industry, compared the regulatory policy differences among international entities including the European Union (EU) and the United States, and examined the risk trends across global jurisdictions. The comparison results reveal that China's leather sector exhibits deficiencies in PFAS risk screening and regulatory measures compared with developed countries. Recommendations are proposed that we shall accelerate the establishment of detection standards encompassing emerging PFAS variants, promote the research of green alternative technologies, and implement a whole-chain risk management system spanning from raw materials to final products. These measures aim to address the challenges posed by increasingly stringent domestic and international regulations.