The Degradation of Fluorotelomer-Based Polymers Contributes to the Global Occurrence of Fluorotelomer Alcohols and Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylates

Abstract

In this chapter, we investigated whether the degradation of side-chain fluorotelomer-based polymers (FTPs), mostly in waste stocks (i.e., landfills and dumps), serves as a long-term source of fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) and perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) to the global environment. Our modeling results indicate that the estimates of in-use and waste stocks of FTPs are more sensitive to the selected lifespan of finished products, while those of the emissions of FTOHs and PFCAs are more sensitive to the selected half-life for degradation of FTPs in waste stocks. FTP degradation in waste stocks is making an increasing contribution to FTOH generation worldwide, the bulk of which readily migrates from waste stocks and is degraded into PFCAs in the environment. The remaining part of the generated FTOHs is degraded in waste stocks, which makes those stocks reservoirs that slowly release PFCAs into the environment over the long run because of the low leaching rate and extreme persistence of PFCAs.