The case for a more precise definition of regulated PFAS
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › peer-review
We argue that there is a need for a more precise of PFAS in a way that avoids including compounds with single CF3-, -CF2-, or CF- groups and excludes TFA and compounds that degrade to just give TFA. An example that meets this need is the definition by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of PFAS as "per- and polyfluorinated substances that structurally contain the unit R-(CF2)-C(F)(R1)R2. Both the CF2 and CF moieties are saturated carbons and none of the R groups (R, R1, or R2) can be hydrogen". Adoption of this definition, or one like it, would place future technical and regulatory discussions of the environmental impacts of organo-fluorine compounds on a sounder technical footing by focusing PFAS discussions and regulation on long-chain perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 12 |
Pages (from-to) | 1834-1838 |
Number of pages | 5 |
ISSN | 2050-7887 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Royal Society of Chemistry.
ID: 288654477