PFAS In Commercial Window-Cleaning Water Repellent Additives

Water Contamination Lawsuit News

Testing indicates water-repellent additives used in commercial window cleaning may release PFAS into rinse water, drains, and nearby waterways

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 - Commercial window cleaning keeps offices, apartments, hospitals, and shopping centers looking bright, but new environmental testing suggests the process may leave behind more than just clean glass. Many professional window-cleaning solutions include water-repellent additives designed to reduce spotting, help water sheet off surfaces, and keep windows cleaner for longer periods. These additives often rely on fluorinated compounds that create a slick, invisible coating. Recent sampling shows that when windows are washed, rinsed, and polished, small amounts of PFAS from these treatments can wash down building facades and enter storm drains or wastewater systems. Crews often clean large buildings section by section, generating steady runoff that flows into sidewalk drains or landscaping below. For communities already paying attention to PFAS-related water concerns, the idea that routine building maintenance could contribute to contamination is unsettling. Window cleaning happens frequently in dense urban areas, sometimes weekly, meaning even low-level releases can repeat again and again. Because PFAS are designed to resist weather and wear, they remain intact once they enter water systems, slowly adding to overall chemical loading downstream. Drinking water attorneys believe that individuals and family members of individuals who developed testicular cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, or pancreatic cancer due to exposure to PFAS forever chemicals in drinking water may be eligible for meaningful financial compensation for resulting pain and suffering.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are commonly used in surface treatments and cleaning products because they repel water, oils, and dirt while remaining chemically stable. The EPA has documented PFAS in urban runoff and wastewater linked to cleaning and maintenance activities, noting that fluorinated additives can migrate easily during rinsing. In commercial window cleaning, runoff typically bypasses treatment entirely when it enters storm drains, flowing directly into rivers, lakes, or coastal waters. Even when rinse water enters sanitary sewers, treatment plants are not designed to remove PFAS. Environmental monitoring in commercial districts has found PFAS patterns consistent with repeated small discharges rather than single industrial spills. The EPA has also warned that PFAS can accumulate in sediments and move through groundwater, raising concerns in cities where stormwater infiltrates local aquifers. As monitoring improves, regulators are beginning to look more closely at maintenance practices that were never considered pollution sources in the past.

Awareness of PFAS in window-cleaning water repellent additives may influence both product development and cleaning practices. Some manufacturers are already testing alternative formulations that rely on silicone-based or plant-derived repellents instead of fluorinated chemistry. Clear labeling would allow building managers and contractors to choose PFAS-free options without sacrificing performance. Window-cleaning companies may also adjust how runoff is handled, capturing rinse water in certain settings or avoiding additives altogether when not needed. Cities reviewing stormwater management plans may include building maintenance activities as part of broader PFAS reduction strategies. Clean windows are a part of healthy, well-maintained buildings, but they should not come at the expense of water quality. By rethinking the chemicals used in everyday services like window cleaning, communities can reduce hidden sources of PFAS and take another step toward protecting shared water resources from long-lasting contamination.

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