The vast majority and types of fluoropolymers, which are part of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) family, meet internationally recognized criteria for being considered polymers of low concern (PLC), a designation for compounds that are expected to have insignificant environmental and human health impacts, according to a new scientific paper. The conclusions of the study, conducted by the American Chemistry Council’s Performance Fluoropolymer Partnership (PFP), provide new evidence that PFAS regulations must clearly differentiate among the broad category of PFAS chemistries.
The paper, A Critical Review of the Application of Polymer of Low Concern Regulatory Criteria to Fluoropolymers II: Fluoroplastics and Fluoroelastomers, builds upon research conducted in 20181 that identified four fluoropolymers that met criteria for identifying polymers of low concern for potential adverse effects on human health or the environment. In this new paper, PFP researchers analyzed an additional 14 fluoropolymers and fluoroelastomers and determined they meet the PLC criteria, bringing the number to 18 fluoropolymers and representing approximately 96 percent of the global market for commercially available fluoropolymers.
Fluoropolymers and fluoroelastomers provide exceptional functionality and benefits across multiple critical end-use markets such as electronics, semiconductors, healthcare technology and devices, transportation, 5G telecommunications, and renewable energy. They are a key component driving the technologies used in cellphones, personal protective equipment, solar panels, medical devices, aircraft, and countless other products and industries.
“This paper provides conclusive evidence that an overwhelming percentage of the fluoropolymers in the products we rely on every day are of low concern for human health or the environment according to internationally recognized criteria,” said Jay West, Executive Director of the PFP. “It also demonstrates even further that regulating the broad family of PFAS as one single category is neither scientifically sound nor appropriate.”
There are 13 criteria used to determine PLC status: polymer composition, molecular weight, weight percentage of oligomers, electrical charge, reactive functional groups, functional group equivalent weight, low molecular weight leachables, water solubility, particle size, polymer stability, thermal stability, abiotic stability, and biotic stability.