PFAS - Highly fluorinated carboxylic acids (PFOA and related substances)
Required limit value:
Should not be present in products.
CAS RN:
335-67-1
Properties:
Highly fluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) such as PFOA are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) substances. Due to their extreme stability these chemicals will not degrade but will accumulate due to their persistency in the environment. PFCAs are water soluble and can contaminate drinking water. As a result of their long-range transport potential and mobility they can be found even in remote regions (e.g. the Artic). PFOA can cause cancer (testicular and kidney cancer), liver damage and changes in immune- and endocrine system (e.g. cholesterol levels). Exposure to PFOA effects the foetus development during pregnancy and has adverse effects on breastfed infants (e.g. low birth weight). Other long chain fluorinated carboxylic acids (see legal background) are also classified as PBT substances. They can be as present as pure substances in products or as precursor chemicals (e.g. polymers) that form PFOA and other PFCAs due to transformation processes
Use:
PFOA-related substances (e.g. side-chain fluorinated polymers) are used in water oil repellent textile finishes as well as impregnation agents in leather. PFOA and other PFCAs are used as an emulsifier in the production of fluoropolymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) etc
Comments:
Alternatives are technologies based on short chain fluorotelomer chemistry (< C7) and may only be used in applications where oil and stain repellent properties are essential such as protective occupational textiles when no other feasible alternatives are available. Where oil repellent properties are not essential and just water repellence is required, non-fluorinated chemistries (C0) such as waxes and paraffins but not silicones are recommended.
CHEMICALS GUIDANCE | Edition: January 2020 | © 2020 Textilimportörerna/Swedish Chemicals Group - RISE IVF
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