Perfluorinated Compounds: Occurrence and Uses in Products

Abstract

Perfluorinated compounds are a chemical family of all organic compounds consisting of a carbon backbone fully surrounded by fluorine and represent a large and complex group of organic substances with unique characteristics. They are used in several industrial branches, but they also occur in a large range of consumer products. Because of their extraordinary properties such as chemically inert, non-wetting, very slippery, nontoxic, nonstick, highly fire resistant, very high-temperature ratings, highly weather resistant, they are applied in fluoropolymer-coated cookware, sports clothing, extreme weather-resistant military uniforms, food handling equipment, medical equipment, motor oil additives, fire fighting foams, paint and ink as well as water-repellent products. Currently, the knowledge of the exact chemical compositions in articles and preparations of perfluorinated compounds is very limited. Since the exact composition of perfluorinated compounds in consumer products is mostly confidential, a range of analytical studies concerning the content of perfluorinated compounds in consumer products have been carried out over the past years with the intention to better understand the intentional and residual content and release of fluorinated substances from consumer products and their impact to health and the environment.