Perfluorinated compounds

Perfluorinated compounds are a family of fluorine-containing chemicals with properties that make materials stain and stick resistant. PFCs are also highly persistent in the environment. Two commonly used PFCs are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is used in Teflon, and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a breakdown product of chemicals used to make Scotchgard products until 2002. In 2006, the U.S. EPA, DuPont (manufacturer of Teflon), and seven other companies announced an agreement to reduce PFOA in emissions from manufacturing plants and in consumer products by 95 percent by 2010.

Uses
PFCs are used in a number of products including:
 * Grease-resistant food packaging and paper products (microwave popcorn bags, french fry boxes, pizza boxes)
 * Carpet, furniture, and clothing with 3M's Scotchgard treatment (made with PFOS until 2002)
 * Teflon-coated nonstick cookware, made by DuPont
 * Cleaning products and personal care products (shampoo, dental floss, denture cleaners)
 * Gore-Tex clothing
 * Stainmaster carpet

Human Exposure
Humans are exposed to PFCs from food packaging, stain-resistant furniture, carpet, clothing, shoes, luggage, camping, and sporting equipment, and from non-stick cookware (particularly when the cookware is heated above 450F). Humans are also exposed in dental floss and many cosmetics, including nail polish, facial moisturizers, and eye make-up.

Human Health Effects
According to Pollution in People:


 * "PFOA is a likely human carcinogen; it causes liver, pancreatic, testicular, and mammary gland tumors in laboratory animals. PFOS causes liver and thyroid cancer in rats."
 * "PFCs cause a range of other problems in laboratory animals, including liver and kidney damage, as well as reproductive problems."
 * "PFOA’s half-life in our bodies, or the time it would take to expel half of a dose, is estimated at more than 4 years. PFOS’s half-life is estimated at more than 8 years."

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Biosolids
 * Sewage sludge
 * Food Rights Network

External articles

 * Study affirms state's aim to reduce perfluorinated compounds, Washington State Dept of Ecology, August 10, 2010.
 * Perﬂuorinated Compounds (PFCs) and Human Health Concerns, Global Health and Safety Initiative, Health Care Without Harm, April 2009.
 * Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs), Pollution in People]
 * Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs), Washington Toxics Coalition.
 * PFCs: Global Contaminants, Environmental Working Group, April 2003.
 * John P. Giesy, P. D. Jones, J. L. Newsted, and K. Kannan, Perfluorinated Compounds: An Overview of Environmental and Analytical Issues, Michigan State University Institute of Environmental Toxicology.