PFOA and PFOS Designated as Hazardous Substances by EPA
In January of this year, a plan for a PFAS Superfund designation was proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Submitted to the White House's Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the plan follows the Agency's objective to categorize PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) as hazardous substances.
PFOA and PFOS
Both PFOA and PFOS are part of the larger group of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The chemical composition of PFAS makes them highly resistant to degradation and contributes to their environmental persistence.
PFOA
| IUPAC Name | 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-pentadecafluorooctanoic acid |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | C8HF15O2 |
| CAS Registry Number | 335-67-1 |
PFOS
| IUPAC Name | 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptadecafluorooctane-1-sulfonic acid |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | C8HF17O3S |
| CAS Registry Number | 1763-23-1 |
While research continues to be conducted to understand the full range of hazards posed by PFAS, such chemicals are known to present a variety of human health risks. Among these are hypertension, kidney cancer, low birth weight and immunotoxicity (in children), testicular cancer, thyroid disease, and more.
Hazardous Substances Under CERCLA
The EPA’s plan aligns with the release last year of its PFAS Roadmap. It focuses on the Agency’s intent to classify PFOA and PFOS under the Superfund law (i.e., the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)). CERCLA enables access to a "superfund" to clean up emergency environmental contaminant releases. It also allows the EPA to obligate responsible parties to clean up contaminated sites (or reimburse the Agency in cases where it conducts the cleanup efforts).
Classification of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA will have numerous implications for businesses and industries that use products containing them. The construction industry, for example, is at particularly high risk as these and other PFAS chemicals are found in many building materials and related products (including adhesives, flooring and roofing products, paints and other finishes, window surface materials, and a host of others).
Barring any significant opposition to the EPA's plan, final rule designation is expected by next year.
Detailed and Authoritative Information on PFAS and Other Chemicals
For professionals requiring detailed information on PFOA, PFOS, other PFAS chemicals, or additional chemical substances, ToxPlanet offers a collection of invaluable resources.
ToxPlanet delivers one-stop access to an abundance of essential content. Our products cover areas including human health effects, animal toxicity studies, metabolism/pharmacokinetics, environmental fate and exposure, standards and regulations, chemical/physical properties, chemical safety and handling, manufacturing/use information, and much more.
Used extensively by toxicologists, pharmacologists, industrial hygienists, occupational physicians, product stewards, risk assessment professionals, hazardous materials/emergency management personnel, first responders, environmental managers, and a host of other chemical safety professionals, our suite of solutions is designed to help manage the impact of chemicals in the workplace and on the environment. Contact us to learn more about all of the valuable data that our solutions can provide, and to register for a Free Trial.
