PFOA Testing

1. Introduction to Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), with the molecular formula C?HO?F?? and commonly known as C8, has a molecular weight of 414.07 and appears as a white crystalline solid. It is slightly soluble in water, with a melting point of 52-56°C and a boiling point of 189°C. It is synthesized from octanoyl chloride via electrochemical fluorination. As an artificially produced chemical, it exhibits persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity (PBT), as well as high persistence and high bioaccumulation (vPvB). It is difficult to degrade and, once absorbed by the human body, accumulates in tissues, disrupting endocrine functions and interfering with normal metabolism and reproduction.

2. Applications of PFOA

It is primarily used as a dispersing agent in the polymerization of polytetrafluoroethylene and fluororubber, and also serves as a raw material for water- and oil-repellents, as well as a beneficiation agent.

(1) Used as a dispersing agent in the polymerization of CTFE, TFE, and fluororubber.

(2) Mainly employed as a surfactant and emulsifier. PFOA and its sodium or ammonium salts are used as dispersing agents in the polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene and the production of fluororubber. They are also utilized as raw materials for water- and oil-repellents and as beneficiation agents.

(3) Used as high-efficiency surfactants, dispersing agents, and additives. PFOA and its derivatives are important organic intermediates for synthesizing products such as fluorine-containing water- and oil-repellents and leather finishing agents.

Applications of PFOA and its derivative products include surface treatment of household products (e.g., non-stick cookware) and convenience food packaging.

3. Relevant Standards

In the international standard classification, PFOA is related to leather technology, analytical chemistry, chemical products, and water quality.

In the Chinese standard classification, PFOA pertains to fur and leather, basic standards and general methods, chemical auxiliaries basic standards and general methods, analytical methods for toxic substances in water environments, basic standards and general methods, and basic standards and general methods.

(1) State Administration for Market Regulation, Standardization Administration of China

GB/T 36929 Leather and fur—Chemical tests—Determination of perfluorooctane sulfonyl compounds (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) substances

(2) General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, Standardization Administration of China

GB/T 33893 Determination of perfluorooctane sulfonyl compounds (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in separation membranes—Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

(3) Professional Testing Methods and Regulations (Physical and Chemical)

GB 31604.35 National food safety standard—Determination of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in food contact materials and products

GB 5009.253 National food safety standard—Determination of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in animal-derived foods

(4) General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine

GB/T 29493.2 Determination of hazardous substances in textile dyeing and finishing auxiliaries—Part 2: Determination of perfluorooctane sulfonyl compounds (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)—High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

(5) General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine

SN/T 2257 Determination of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in polytetrafluoroethylene materials and non-stick cookware coatings—Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

(6) Japanese Industrial Standards Committee

JIS K 0450-70-10 Testing methods for perfluorooctane sulfonyl compounds (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in industrial water and wastewater

(7) Zhejiang Provincial Standard

DB33/T 749 Determination of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in textiles and leather—Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

(8) British Standards Institution

ISO 25101 Water quality—Determination of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)—Method for unfiltered samples using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

(9) International Organization for Standardization

ISO 25101 Water quality—Determination of perfluorooctane sulfonyl compounds (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)—Method using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry for unfiltered samples