To improve public health and tackle environmental issues, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated PFAS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act abbreviated as CERCLA. The designated PFAs are the most widely used perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), including their salts and their structural isomers.
Research shows that these chemicals are unable to break down over time in the environment. As a result of this, these “forever chemicals” tend to accumulate in the human body for a longer period. Further animal and human epidemiology evidence suggest that exposure to PFOS and PFOA might lead to carcinogen effects, severe reproductive issues, and other immunological effects.
As a first step toward the concern, EPA has eliminated the known and major sources of PFAS and PFOS exposure by removing the 12 chemicals (identified as PFOS, and PFOA) from the list of inert ingredients that are used in pesticide products.
While EPA removes the listed 12 chemicals from pesticide products, reviews safety information for inert ingredients before they can be added to any pesticide products.
| PFOA/PFOS | CAS NO. |
|---|---|
| 2-Chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane | 2-Chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane |
| α-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-ω-hydropoly(difluoromethylene) | 65530-85-0 |
| Dichlorotetrafluoroethane | 1320-37-2 |
| Ethane, 1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoro- | 354-33-6 |
| Hexafluoropropene, polymer with tetrafluoroethylene | 25067-11-2 |
| Montmorillonite-type clay treated with polytetrafluoroethylene | - |
| Poly(difluoromethylene), α-chloro-ω-(1-chloro-1-fluoroethyl) | 131324-06-6 |
| Poly(difluoromethylene), α-chloro-ω-(2,2-dichloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethyl)- | 79070-11-4 |
| Poly(difluoromethylene), α-(2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethyl)-, ω-hydro- | 163440-89-9 |
| Poly(difluoromethylene), α-fluoro-ω- [2- [(2-methyl-1-oxo-2- propenyl) oxy] ethyl]- | 65530-66-7 |
| Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-hydro-ω-hydroxy-, ether with α-fluoro-ω-(2-hydroxyethyl) poly(difluoromethylene) (1:1) | 65545-80-4 | Propane, 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoro- | 431-89-0 |
By this proposal, impacted industries are water treatment facilities, PFOA/PFOS manufacturers, products containing PFOA/PFOS, and downstream manufacturers.
References: 1. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-stop-authorized-use-certain-pfas-pesticide-products 2. https://enviro.blr.com/environmental-news/hazmat-and-chemicals/chemical-management/EPA-proposes-PFOA-and-PFOS-designation-as-hazardou
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