DEQ-CFW_00001477

A T O X I C- F R E E LEGACY C O A L I T I O N F A C T S H E E T September 2005
What are Perfluorinated Compounds?
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are chemicals used in
a variety of products to prevent stains, keep liquids from
penetrating fabrics and papers, and prevent sticking.
PFCs are found in products like non-stick pans, cloth-
ing, furniture, packaged food containers, and many
others. PFCs are so -named because they contain large
amounts of the element fluorine, though not in the
more familiar form of fluoride used in toothpaste.
PFCs include a whole range of compounds, including
the chemicals added to products, chemicals used to
produce these additives, and breakdown products that
can be formed later. One of the chemicals of greatest
concern is perfluorooctanoic acid, called PFOA or C8.
How are PFCs Used?
Typically, PFCs are bonded to the products mentioned
above to form a barrier that makes the products imper-
meable or slippery. Some well-known trade names
include Teflon, Stainmaster, Scotchgard, and others.
Why Should I be Concerned?
PFOA is produced in the manufacturing process and
also can be a breakdown product of PFCs, for example
if non-stick pans are allowed to reach temperatures in
excess of 500 degrees. If PFOA is ingested or inhaled, it
remains in the body for many years. It would take more
than four years for the body to clear half of the PFOA if
no further exposure occurred, but since PFCs are still
being produced, levels continue to rise (Burris, 2002).
Workers who are exposed to PFOA on the job have
high levels in their body, in some cases close to levels
that produced toxic effects in laboratory animals.
Testing has also shown PFOA and 14 other PFCs in the
bodies of the general population, especially in children
(3M, 2002; 3M, 2001). This contamination may be
coming from exposure to household products contain-
ing PFCs, as well as by ingesting or inhaling PFOA in
the environment. PFOA is a widespread pollutant, and
scientists are beginning to understand how it spreads from
factories and other sources to every part of the world.
PFOA can cause a variety of health effects. Some
children have levels of PFOA and other PFCs in their
blood higher than those that caused changes in organ
weights in lab animals (3M, 2001). PFOA also causes
cancer, including cancers of the testes, breast, liver, and
pancreas (EPA, 2002; Sibinski, 1987). PFOA has also
been linked to hypothyroidism, decreased growth,
effects on the pituitary gland, changes in hormone
levels, and effects on the immune system and on repro-
duction (Butenhoff, 2002; DuPont, 2002a; DuPont,
2002b; DuPont, 2002c; DuPont, 2002d; DuPont, 2002e;
DuPont, 2002f; Yang, 2001; York, 2002; Sibinski, 1987;
Goldenthal, 1978). Although some of these effects occur at
levels higher than those currently found in humans,
because PFCs are still produced and are still breaking
down, human exposures will continue to rise, and would
rise to some extent even if PFCs were banned today.
What Should Government and Industry Do?
❖ Governments should phase out the use of PFOA
and other PFCs that persist in the environment
and accumulate in our bodies and the environ-
ment. Sweden announced plans this summer
to move forward with a proposed ban on PFOA.
•••• Governments should require rigorous safety tests
before chemicals are used in products and
restrict the use of those chemicals that fail the
tests.
❖ Industry must stop manufacturing and using
PFOA and other PFCs that persist in the
environment and build up in our bodies.
❖ Industry should develop safe products to meet
consumer needs without threatening our health
or the environment.
❖ Manufacturers must tell consumers whether a
product they sell contains PFCs.
DEQ-CFW 00001477

What Can I Do?
Avoid purchasing or limit your use of products containing
PFCs. Examples of products containing PFCs include:
❖ Teflon or non-stick cookware. If you choose to
continue using non-stick cookware, be very
careful not to let it overheat . Do not fry at
high temperature or leave cookware unattended
on the stove. Do not put non-stick cookware
under the broiler.
❖ Furniture or carpets marketed as "stain -resistant."
❖ Clothing that has been treated for water and
stain resistance because many of these coatings
contain PFCs.
❖ Packaged foods, including greasy fast foods and
microwave popcorn bags. Many food packages
are treated with PFCs to keep grease from
soaking through the packages
❖ Cosmetics containing ingredients that include
the works "fluoro" or "perfluoro."
While it makes sense to avoid unnecessary use of any
products containing dangerous chemicals, too often it is
difficult to find out what chemicals are in a particular
product and whether they are dangerous. The burden
shouldn't fall on consumers to determine whether a
product they buy is hazardous to their health. Manu-
facturers and governments are in the best position to
ensure the products they sell and regulate aren't harming
our health. Support government phaseouts on PFCs by
speaking out, writing letters to elected officials, govern-
ment agencies, and manufacturers, and getting involved
with groups working to eliminate the worst chemicals.
References
Burris, J.M., J.K. Lundberg, G. Olsen, C. Simpson, and J. Mandel. 2002.
Determination of serum half-lives of several fluorochemicals: Interim Report #2.
Study Sponsor: 3M Company, Corporate Occupational Medicine Department,
U.S. EPA AR226-1086.
3M. 2001. TSCA 8(e) supplemental notice for sulfonate-based and carboxycylic-
based fluorochemicals -Docket numbers 8EHQ 1180-373; 8EHQ 1180-374;
8EHQ 0381-0394; 8EHQ 05980373. U.S. EPA Administrative Record AR226-
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3M. 2002. Analysis of pooled human sera and plasma and monkey sera for
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