Saturday, January 17, 2026 - Commercial kitchens depend on powerful floor degreasers to remove grease, food residue, and slip hazards created during daily cooking. These products are designed to break down oil quickly and rinse clean without leaving streaks, which makes them especially useful in high-traffic restaurant environments. New environmental testing indicates that some commercial floor degreasers may contain PFAS or PFAS-related surfactants that improve spreading, penetration, and grease removal. When kitchen staff mop floors or hose down prep areas at the end of a shift, the used solution flows into floor drains connected to municipal sewer systems. For communities already tracking PFAS contamination in local water supplies, this everyday cleaning practice raises new concerns. Restaurants often clean floors multiple times per day, meaning small releases of PFAS can occur repeatedly. Because PFAS do not break down naturally, even diluted amounts can accumulate over time. In dense restaurant districts, hundreds of kitchens may discharge similar cleaning wastewater each night, creating a steady and largely invisible source of PFAS entering shared water infrastructure.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are commonly used in cleaning products because they repel oil, reduce surface tension, and remain chemically stable under harsh conditions. The EPA has documented PFAS in wastewater streams linked to food service and industrial cleaning activities, noting that treatment plants are not designed to remove fluorinated chemicals. When degreaser runoff enters municipal systems, PFAS can pass through treatment unchanged and move into surface water, groundwater, or sewage sludge. Environmental monitoring near urban sewer outfalls has shown PFAS patterns consistent with frequent low-level discharges rather than single industrial events. The EPA has also warned that PFAS in sludge can be reintroduced into the environment if biosolids are applied to land. Because commercial kitchens operate year-round and rely on aggressive cleaning for safety compliance, floor degreasers may represent a consistent upstream source of contamination. As PFAS monitoring expands, regulators are beginning to look beyond factories and firefighting foam to include everyday commercial products used at scale.
Increased awareness of PFAS in commercial kitchen floor degreasers may influence both purchasing decisions and product formulation. Some manufacturers are developing degreasers that rely on non-fluorinated surfactants derived from plant oils or other biodegradable sources. Clear labeling would help restaurant owners understand what chemicals are present in the products they use daily. Health departments and environmental agencies may also update guidance for commercial kitchen sanitation, encouraging PFAS-free cleaning agents and improved wastewater handling where feasible. Simple changes, such as using lower-volume cleaning methods or capturing mop water in certain settings, could reduce chemical discharge without compromising safety. Clean kitchen floors are essential for worker and customer safety, but cleanliness should not come at the expense of water quality. By addressing PFAS in floor degreasers, food service operations can play a meaningful role in reducing long-lasting chemical pollution while continuing to meet strict hygiene standards.
Our attorneys specialize in holding large corporations accountable when they've placed profits ahead of safety. Through settlements and winning verdicts, our attorneys have obtained millions for our clients. Let us help you today.
Filing a lawsuit will allow you to hold the federal government accountable for damage it has caused you or a loved one, while also providing real compensation for your medical expenses, suffering and loss. Contact us today for a free consultation.