Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the health risks associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), particularly through marine fish consumption, emphasizing the need for regulatory measures and international trade standards to mitigate exposure risks [2][10]. Group 1: PFAS Overview - PFAS are synthetic chemicals known for their stability due to carbon-fluorine bonds, making them persistent in the environment and difficult to degrade [5]. - These substances are linked to various health issues, including thyroid disease, immune system suppression, and cancer [5]. Group 2: Research Findings - The study analyzed data from 212 marine fish species to estimate the daily intake of C8-PFAS, revealing a median exposure of 0.023 nanograms per kilogram per day, with higher levels in North America, Oceania, and Europe [2]. - The research indicates that fish consumption is a significant source of PFAS exposure, with intake from fish being three times that from grains and 14.5 times that from meat [5]. Group 3: Geographic and Economic Disparities - Exposure levels vary globally, with North America, Oceania, and Europe showing the highest levels of C8-PFAS, while Asia and Oceania have higher pollution concentrations in fish [9]. - High-income countries have a median daily intake of C8-PFAS at 0.068 nanograms per kilogram per day, over five times higher than that of other countries, highlighting a correlation between economic status and PFAS exposure [9]. Group 4: Trade Dynamics - European countries play a crucial role in the global fish trade, significantly affecting exposure pathways, with imports contributing to over 76% of PFAS exposure in some regions [10]. - The study found that in Italy, only 11.71% of imported marine fish contributed to 35.82% of PFAS exposure, indicating the complex dynamics of local versus imported fish [10]. Group 5: Regulatory Implications - Following the implementation of the Stockholm Convention in 2009, the risk index for PFOS decreased by 72.3%, while the risk for PFOA dropped by 40.44%, demonstrating the effectiveness of regulations [10]. - However, unregulated long-chain PFAS pose increasing risks, necessitating urgent regulatory attention [10]. Group 6: Policy Recommendations - The research calls for unified PFAS limits in fish across countries, as current standards vary significantly [12]. - It emphasizes the need for monitoring high-pollution regions' fish exports and establishing international traceability mechanisms [13]. - There is a pressing need to include long-chain PFAS in regulatory frameworks to address emerging risks [14].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the urgent need to reduce the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the semiconductor and electronics industry due to their environmental persistence and potential health risks. It proposes a framework for designers to quantify and minimize PFAS usage during the design phase of integrated circuits [1][44][47]. Group 1: PFAS Usage in Semiconductor Manufacturing - The electronics and semiconductor industry is a major consumer of PFAS, with an estimated 4.21 thousand tons used in Europe in 2020, primarily in fluoropolymers [6][8]. - PFAS usage in semiconductor manufacturing is expected to grow by 10% annually, driven by the increasing demand for electronic devices [2][3]. - The main applications of PFAS in semiconductor manufacturing include photoresists, anti-reflective coatings, and other coatings used in lithography processes [11][13]. Group 2: Environmental Impact and Design Optimization - The article presents a data-driven approach to model PFAS usage in integrated circuit manufacturing, identifying trade-offs between PFAS, carbon footprint, power, and performance [3][4]. - By optimizing the design to reduce the number of metal stacking layers, PFAS usage can be reduced by up to 1.7 times [9][30]. - The use of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography can reduce PFAS layers by 18% compared to deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography, highlighting the importance of technology choice in minimizing environmental impact [4][29]. Group 3: Framework for Sustainable Design - A framework is proposed to help designers quantify PFAS usage and its environmental impact during the design phase, integrating carbon modeling tools to assess trade-offs [9][14][47]. - The framework allows for the analysis of PFAS consumption across different manufacturing processes and encourages the exploration of PFAS-free alternatives [10][45]. - The article calls for a collaborative effort between academia and industry to address the sustainability challenges posed by PFAS in semiconductor manufacturing [11][44]. Group 4: Future Opportunities and Strategies - There is a pressing need for standardized PFAS quantification methods and strategies to extend hardware lifecycles to reduce electronic waste [45][46]. - The use of chiplet architectures presents opportunities for reducing PFAS usage by allowing for modular designs that require fewer metal interconnect layers [45][46]. - The article emphasizes the importance of addressing PFAS usage not only in manufacturing but also throughout the entire lifecycle of computing systems [47].