Chipmaking relies on PFAS at nearly every stage, yet India has no industrial regulations for them. This technology is non-negotiable for progress, but so are the regulations. While Europe bans or phases them out, India has yet to comprehensively address these toxic chemicals, despite being a signatory to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Experts warn the damage is already underway, with contamination detected from the River Ganga to the Sundarbans. Once released, PFAS stay for generations and are linked to cancer and a host of other diseases. As fabs come up across states, the question is not anti-industry; it’s whether India can build advanced technology without locking itself into a permanent toxic legacy. Read here.