Abstract
Fluoropolymers are a group of polymers within the class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The objective of this analysis is to evaluate the evidence regarding the environmental and human health impacts of fluoropolymers throughout their life cycle(s). Production of some fluoropolymers is intimately linked to the use and emissions of legacy and novel PFAS as polymer processing aids. There are serious concerns regarding the toxicity and adverse effects of fluorinated processing aids on humans and the environment. A variety of other PFAS, including monomers and oligomers, are emitted during the production, processing, use, and end-of-life treatment of fluoropolymers. There are further concerns regarding the safe disposal of fluoropolymers and their associated products and articles at the end of their life cycle. While recycling and reuse of fluoropolymers is performed on some industrial waste, there are only limited options for their recycling from consumer articles. The evidence reviewed in this analysis does not find a scientific rationale for concluding that fluoropolymers are of low concern for environmental and human health. Given fluoropolymers' extreme persistence; emissions associated with their production, use, and disposal; and a high likelihood for human exposure to PFAS, their production and uses should be curtailed except in cases of essential uses.
Highlights
The class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) consists of polymers and nonpolymers.[1]
The group of fluoropolymers is dominated by PTFE; combined with fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxy alkanes (PFA), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), and other tetrafluoroethylene-copolymers; they account for around 75% of the fluoropolymer market.[3]
As a consequence of human and environmental health concerns, under the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2010/15 Stewardship Program, eight major manufacturers phased out perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)/perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) in their fluoropolymer production.[25]
Summary
The class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) consists of polymers and nonpolymers.[1]. The authors of the CF4Polymers framework support the PLC approach as a means of streamlining polymer risk assessments They support the findings of Henry et al.[3] and state that they are “...unaware of scientific evidence to justify generally assigning fluoropolymers the same level of regulatory concern as other PFAS.”[9] The Wood Report notes that sidechain fluorinated polymers “can potentially lead to the formation of PFAS substances as a result of degradation,”. The historical use of salts of these substances as processing aids.[22,24] As a consequence of human and environmental health concerns, under the U.S EPA 2010/15 Stewardship Program, eight major manufacturers phased out PFOA/PFNA in their fluoropolymer production.[25] Many other manufacturers, though, still utilize PFOA as a processing aid; PFOA emissions have, for example, widely polluted the Asian (especially Chinese) environment.[26] These Asian emissions are being discharged into the atmosphere, rivers, and oceans in large quantities and are causing additional global-scale pollution.[26]
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