Survey of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and their precursors present in Japanese consumer products

Abstract

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and their precursors have been used in various consumer products. However, limited information regarding their occurrence and concentration levels in products is available. In this study, we investigated 18 PFAAs and 14 PFAA precursors in various categories of consumer products purchased in Japan. Relatively high total concentrations of PFAAs and their precursors were found in sprays for fabrics and textiles (<limit of quantitation (LOQ)–30000ngg−1) and car wash/coating products (<LOQ–7500ngg−1) compared to other categories, and the similar observation was found in previous studies in Norway and Germany. A precursor of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), N-methyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanol (MeFOSE) was detected in a higher frequency (8%) and in greater concentrations (<LOQ–3600±1800ngg−1) than PFOS (frequency 4%; concentrations<LOQ–59±10ngg−1). These results indicate that careful control of PFOS precursors in consumer products is required. Furthermore, the amount of PFAAs emitted from consumer products may be underestimated if the occurrence of PFAA precursors is not considered. In addition to PFAA precursors, long chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) (carbon chain length⩾7) were also detected in greater concentrations than short chain PFCAs (⩽6). This result suggests that consumer products are one of the important sources of long-chain PFCAs in the environment.