PFAS (Per - and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a group of synthetic chemicals primarily used in various consumer and industrial products. PFAS is composed of carbon and fluorine atoms, possessing hydrophilic functional groups and hydrophobic alkyl side chains, as well as fire resistance, high stability, and durability. Therefore, they are widely used in textile, surfactant, food packaging, non stick coating, fire extinguishing foam and other fields
Classification and Typical Compounds of PFAS
PFAS can be divided into long-chain (C ≥ 8) and short chain (C<8), with long-chain PFAS being particularly difficult to degrade. Typical PFAS compounds include:
PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate): It has the highest detection rate and concentration levels in the environment, biota, and human tissues, and is widely present in aquatic environments around the world
PFOA (perfluorooctane carboxylic acid): Once it enters the body, it is difficult to metabolize and excrete, and mainly accumulates in the liver and blood after enterohepatic circulation.
>Regarding PFAS
>PFAS regulatory control
On February 7, 2023, the European Union proposed requirements for PFAS substances themselves, their presence in other substances, their composition as mixtures, and their limits in articles: any PFAS measured by specific analytical methods shall not exceed 25 ppb (excluding polymers);
·The total content of PFAS obtained by prioritizing the detection method of substances before PFAS degradation cannot exceed 250ppb (excluding polymers);
·PFAS substances containing polymers shall not exceed 50ppm. If the total fluorine content exceeds 50mg/kg, manufacturers, importers, or downstream users need to provide evidence to law enforcement agencies to prove whether the measured fluorine content belongs to PFAS.
Europe: EU REACH, EU POPs regulations, etc
Americas: United States - TPCH, TSCA 8 (a) (7) PFAS reporting and recording rules, PFAS bans in various states of the United States
Canada - Prohibition of Specific Toxic Substances Regulations, Declaration Rules for PFAS
Asia: China - Stockholm Convention Implementation Action, Guidelines for the Control of the Use of Key Chemical Substances in Consumer Goods
Japan - Japanization Review Act
Australia: Australian IChEMS Registry
