Fluorine chemistry – from yes to no

Fluorine chemistry – from yes to no

Once considered wonder chemicals for their water and stain resistant properties, PFCs are rapidly falling out of favour as more and more evidence comes to light of their harmful impact on people and the planet.

PFCs are per- and polyfluorinated chemicals. A subset of PFCs is the so-called C8 chemistry. This includes perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOA) or its salt, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), both of which are facing increasing restrictions on their use in consumer and industrial products.

When PFCs were discovered in the second half of the last century, their ability to repel water, oil, and dirt meant they were applied to a wide range of consumer products, including as water-repellent treatments for outerwear, and in non-stick coatings on frying pans. They were used also in industrial fields, including space travel, fire extinguishing agents, and electroplating.

Since the turn of the century, however, numerous research studies have highlighted the adverse impact of PFCs to the environment and human health. Studies have shown that these chemicals are toxic, environmentally persistent, and bio-accumulative, and they have been linked to various types of cancer, including liver and kidney cancer, thyroid disease, immune damage, and pregnancy and reproductive issues. In a 2003 to 2004 research, US National Institute of Health examined 2,094 serum samples and PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and PFNA were detected in 98% of the samples.

C8 chemistry has become a topic of serious concern for NGOs, government bodies, and even for consumers. Legal regulations have tightened significantly and more and more perfluorinated substance groups are under observation or have already been restricted. As early as 2006, the EU banned PFOS and other chemicals for use in textiles, and PFOA will be banned in textiles across the EU from 2020. One positive outcome of the debate around fluorine chemistry, however, is the acceleration of research into fluorine-free alternatives.

In the professional field, for example for personal protective equipment, C8 chemistry still provides essential properties that can’t be replicated with non-fluorine alternatives. This has been recognised in legislation, which allows the use of C8 chemicals in certain applications through special exception and transition regulations.

For most other applications, modern textile chemistry already provides effective fluorine-free solutions. A steadily growing number of players in the textile, clothing, and outdoor industries are already taking advantage of the latest technologies by switching to fluorine-free products.

We can support our customers with this transition through comprehensive laboratory testing. In addition to routine tests on new products, it is important to understand goods on racks as part of due diligence obligations. And, aside from product testing, we can also provide support on the selection of fluorine-free alternatives by checking the properties of different finishes on initial application and after extended use (multiple washes).

When testing for fluorochemicals, we offer two different testing regimes:

8 PFC: The most popular compounds in C8 and C6 chemistry

8 PFC: The most popular compounds in C8 and C6 chemistry