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. 2020 Aug 11;7(8):532-543.
doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00255. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Scientific Basis for Managing PFAS as a Chemical Class

Carol F Kwiatkowski  1 , David Q Andrews  2 , Linda S Birnbaum  3 , Thomas A Bruton  4 , Jamie C DeWitt  5 , Detlef R U Knappe  6 , Maricel V Maffini  7 , Mark F Miller  8 , Katherine E Pelch  9 , Anna Reade  10 , Anna Soehl  4 , Xenia Trier  11 , Marta Venier  12 , Charlotte C Wagner  13 , Zhanyun Wang  14 , Arlene Blum  15
Affiliations

Scientific Basis for Managing PFAS as a Chemical Class

Carol F Kwiatkowski et al. Environ Sci Technol Lett. .

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare the following competing financial interest(s): It may be relevant that J.C.D. currently is engaged as a plaintiffs expert witness in several cases involving PFAS.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Examples of PFAS chemistries. *These PFAS have been less discussed in the public domain, but they meet the definition of PFAS as recommended in refs and . They are primarily PFAS with limited chemical reactivity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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