Scientific Basis for Managing PFAS as a Chemical Class

Carol F. Kwiatkowski; David Q. Andrews; Linda S. Birnbaum; Thomas A. Bruton; Jamie C. DeWitt; Detlef R. U. Knappe; Maricel V. Maffini; Mark F. Miller; Katherine E. Pelch; Anna Reade; Anna Soehl; Xenia Trier; Marta Venier; Charlotte C. Wagner; Zhanyun Wang; Arlene Blum

doi:10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00255

Lifestyle and Environment · Environmental Exposures

Scientific Basis for Managing PFAS as a Chemical Class

Kwiatkowski CF, Andrews DQ, Birnbaum LS, Bruton TA, DeWitt JC, Knappe DRU, Maffini MV, Miller MF, Pelch KE, Reade A, Soehl A, Trier X, Venier M, Wagner CC, Wang Z, Blum A

Published August 11, 2020 Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 7(8), 532-543

DOI 10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00255 PMC PMC8297807

Abstract

This commentary presents a scientific basis for managing as one chemical class the thousands of chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The class includes perfluoroalkyl acids, perfluoroalkylether acids, and their precursors; fluoropolymers and perfluoropolyethers; and other PFAS. The basis for the class approach is presented in relation to their physicochemical, environmental, and toxicological properties. Specifically, the high persistence, accumulation potential, and/or hazards (known and potential) of PFAS studied to date warrant treating all PFAS as a single class. Examples are provided of how some PFAS are being regulated and how some businesses are avoiding all PFAS in their products and purchasing decisions. We conclude with options for how governments and industry can apply the class-based approach, emphasizing the importance of eliminating non-essential uses of PFAS, and further developing safer alternatives and methods to remove existing PFAS from the environment.

Topics

Lifestyle and Environment Environmental Exposures Persistent Organic Pollutants

Lifestyle and Environment › Environmental Exposures › Persistent Organic Pollutants

Carol F. Kwiatkowski, David Q. Andrews, Linda S. Birnbaum, Thomas A. Bruton, Jamie C. DeWitt, Detlef R. U. Knappe, Maricel V. Maffini, Mark F. Miller, Katherine E. Pelch, Anna Reade, Anna Soehl, Xenia Trier, Marta Venier, Charlotte C. Wagner, Zhanyun Wang, Arlene Blum

C Kwiatkowski, Dave Andrews, D Andrews, L Birnbaum, Tom Bruton, T Bruton, J DeWitt, D Knappe, M Maffini, M Miller, Kathy Pelch, Kate Pelch, Katie Pelch, K Pelch, A Reade, A Soehl, X Trier, M Venier, C Wagner, Z Wang, A Blum

DOI 10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00255 10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00255 Kwiatkowski et al. 2020, Kwiatkowski 2020

Scientific Basis for Managing PFAS as a Chemical Class

Abstract

Topics

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