An overview of the uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – Electronic supplementary information 1 Juliane Glüge,a* Martin Scheringer,a Ian T. Cousins,b Jamie C. DeWitt,c Gretta Goldenman,d Dorte Herzke,e1, e2 Rainer Lohmann,f Carla A. Ng,g Xenia Trier,h and Zhanyun Wangi a.Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland, b.Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-10691, Sweden c.Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA. d.Milieu, Brussels, Belgium e1. NILU, Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Tromsø, Norway e2. Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, The Arctic University of Norway (UiT), Hansine Hansens veg 18, NO -9037, Tromsø, Norway f. Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA g.Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA h. DTU Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark Chair of Ecological Systems Design, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland i. * Corresponding author email: juliane.gluege@chem.ethz.ch 1 General explanations The document provides an overview of the applications of PFAS. The information was gathered from various sources, such as reports, journal articles, databases, patents, safety data sheets and websites. The information on the substances themselves can be divided into four categories/types: information that a substance has been used for a specific application, but no information on its current status [uses (U)]; information that a substance is currently used (current use means a use with public record(s) of use from the last 4 years, i.e. 2017 or later) [current uses (U*)]; information that a substance has been detected in a specific product [detection (D)], and information that a substance has been patented (and given a CAS number) for a specific application [patent (P)]. Uses (U) and current uses (U*) were assigned based on, for example, data from the Chemical Data Reporting database under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in the United States (US), data from the SPIN database of the Nordic countries, information from safety data sheets and information that a specific substance is sold for that particular use. Information on detected substances was mainly retrieved from scientific studies (e.g. journals articles, reports). Patents were retrieved via either SciFindern (CAS 2019) or Google patents (Google_patents 2019). The information in brackets [e.g. CAS 2019 (JP05033153, 1993)] provides the patent number and the year of the invention. More information on the literature sources is provided in the Methods section of the main article. The information in this document originates from public sources and we were not able to verify whether the information in the public sources is correct, whether the substances work as intended, and what their real benefits are. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the validity of the compiled information. Important information for the tables: a) The chemical names in the tables are often generalized to a group of PFAS. However, this does not imply that substances with the same functional group, but different chain length, have the same properties. And most importantly, it does also not imply that all chain lengths of one generalized form are suitable for the same application. uncut form b) The structural formulae of some substances have been cut at one or both ends. The missing part of the carbon chain is not indicated. An example is displayed here: cut form Note that the complete molecular formulae are all provided in the tables. 2 c) Li correct form Li+ Most of the anionic PFAS are displayed as neutral PFAS in the pictures in this document. Strictly speaking, this is not correct. The correct form is given in the tables under molecular formula . However, editing the images (which were taken from SciFindern) would have been extremely time-consuming, so we decided to not correct them. An example of the incorrect and correct forms is shown here: incorrect form f) e) Labels provided in parentheses (e.g. ammonium perfluoroalkyl carboxylate(1a)) mean that the substance shown in the graphic below the label is another salt of the same anion (e.g. potassium perfluoroalkyl carboxylate and not ammonium perfluoroalkyl carboxylate). For polymers, only the monomers are shown. d) The graphics of the molecules do not intend to reflect any actual bond length ratios. g) The chemical names in the tables are often generali ed to a group of PFAS to cover more than one CAS No using perfluoroalk l also it might be a pol fluoroalk l An example is the PFAS group shown below The general name should be -Alkanol, polyfluoro- but in this document we write -Alkanol, perfluoro- . We have also not used the plural forms of the names, although they encompass often more than one substance. The graphics from SciFindern ma sometimes contain D main structure. in the structure see below for CAS No -33- and it is unknown where such D s are connected to the h) The chemical names of the PFAS are either from Buck et al. (2011) or SciFindern (CAS 2019). In SciFindern, IUPAC names are used for normal registrations, whereas for manual registrations onl descriptive names are given e g siloxanes and silicones di-Me, Me 3-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)propyl, Me 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8tridecafluorooctyl). i) 3 Table of content General explanations ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Table of content .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.20 1.19 1.18 1.17 1.16 1.15 1.14 1.13 1.12 1.11 1.10 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.1 Wood processing ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 96 Watchmaking industry ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 96 Textile production ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 96 Semiconductor industry .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 80 Production of plastic and rubber ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 73 Photographic industry ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 62 Pharmaceutical industry ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 62 Oil and gas industry ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 50 Nuclear industry ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 50 Mining ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 49 Manufacture of metal products ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 41 Machinery and equipment ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 40 Food production industry.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 40 Energy sector ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Electronics industry ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Electroplating (metal plating) ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 22 Electroless plating ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 21 Chemical industry .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Building and Construction ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Biotechnology ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Aerospace ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 2.1 Air conditioning ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 98 Aerosol propellants ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 98 Other use categories ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 98 1.21 Industry branches ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 List of abbreviations ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 1 2 2.2 4 2.32 2.31 2.30 2.29 2.28 2.27 2.26 2.25 2.24 2.23 2.22 2.21 2.20 2.19 2.18 2.17 2.16 2.15 2.14 2.13 2.12 2.11 2.10 2.9 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3 Plastic, rubber and resins ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 218 Pipes, pumps, fittings and liners ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 218 Pharmaceuticals .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 217 Pesticides......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 214 Personal care products and cosmetics ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 198 Particle physics ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 198 Paper and packaging ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 183 Optical devices ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 179 Music instruments and related equipement ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 178 Metallic and ceramic surfaces ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 176 Medical utensils .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 169 Lubricants and greases .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 166 Leather ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 160 Laboratory supplies, equipment and instrumentation ................................................................................................................................................................................... 158 Household applications ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 158 Glass ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 155 Floor covering including carpets and floor polish ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 148 Flame retardants ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 148 Fire-fighting foams .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 128 Fingerprint development ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 128 Electronic devices ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 126 Dispersions ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 125 Cook- and baking ware .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 124 Conservation of books and manuscripts ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 124 Coatings, paints, and varnishes ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 114 Cleaning compositions .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 106 Automotive ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 102 Apparel .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 99 Ammunition ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 99 Antifoaming agent ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 98 5 3 2.43 2.42 2.41 2.40 2.39 2.38 2.37 2.36 2.35 2.34 2.33 Wire and cable insulation, gaskets and hoses ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 254 Water and effluent treatment ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 254 Tracing and tagging ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 251 Textile and upholstery ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 242 Stone, concrete and tile .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 240 Sport article ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 236 Soil remediation .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 236 Soldering ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 234 Sealants and adhesives ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 230 Refrigerant systems......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 229 Printing (inks) .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 221 PFA PFCAs PFHxS PFSAs PFOA PFOS PFPEs PTFE PVDF TSCA U U* US VDF Perfluoralkoxy polymer (CAS No. 26655-00-5) Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (CAS No. 355-46-4) Perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids Perfluorooctanoic acid (CAS No. 335-67-1) Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (CAS No. 1763-23-1) Perfluoropolyethers Polytetrafluoroethylene (CAS No. 9002-84-0) Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (CAS No. 24937-79-9) Toxic Substances Control Act from 1976 used currently used (used after 2017) United States Vinylidenefluoride References ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 255 Chlorotrifluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (CAS No. 25101-45-5) Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (CAS No. 25038-71-5) detected analytically in products durable water repllent Fluorinated ethylene propylene (CAS No. 25067-11-2) Fluorotelomer sulfonic acids Fluorotelomer alcohols Hydrofluoroethers (HFE-7000, HFE-7100, HFE-7200, and HFE-7500 are all commercial products) Hexafluoropropylene polymer (CAS No. 25120-07-4) N-Methyl perfluoroalkane sulfonamidoethanols number patented Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (CAS No. 9002-83-9) List of abbreviations ECTFE ETFE D DWR FEP FTSAs FTOHs HFE HFP MeFASEs No P PCTFE 6 1 Industry branches 1.1 Aerospace Many applications in space are similar to those in terrestrial applications where a wide range of service temperatures, low friction, resistance to chemical attack, or dielectric properties are important. Therefore, fluoropolymers have found extensive application in space for bushing, lubricants, sleeves, tubing, seals, and as electrical insulation for wiring and in other forms for electronic packaging (B. A. Banks 1997). PFAS are also used in brake and hydraulic fluids and aircraft interior and exterior (FluoroIndustry 2019). The following sections provide more details on these specific applications. 1.1.1 Brake and hydraulic fluids in aircrafts Hydraulic fluids actuate moving parts of the aircraft such as wing flaps, ailerons, the rudder and landing gear (POPRC 2019). There are three main types of hydraulic fluids: a) mineral-based fluids, b) polyalphaolefin-based fluids and c) phosphate ester-based fluids (Aeronautics_Guide 2019). Hydraulic fluids based on phosphate esters are used in most commercial aircrafts and are extremely fire-resistant (Aeronautics_Guide 2019). However, they can absorb water and the subsequently formed phosphoric acid can damage metallic parts of the hydraulic system. Fluorinated surfactants in phosphate ester-based hydraulic fluids inhibit the corrosion of mechanical parts of the hydraulic system by altering the electrical potential at the metal surface (POPRC 2019). The fluorinated surfactants prevent also fire and evaporation of the hydraulic fluid (KEMI Swedish Chemical Agency 2015b). Table 1 lists PFAS that have been or are still used as additives in phosphate ester-based brake and hydraulic fluids. A hydraulic fluid based on polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) oil a PFAS was developed in the early 1990s (R. E. Banks, Smart, and Tatlow 1994). However, it has been found that PCTFE produces severe corrosion of brass at temperatures above 135°C. As a result, it is believed that operation at very high temperatures is likely to cause unacceptable material removal from copper-based metals (ASTM 1997). Perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs)1a Potassium perfluoroalkane sulfonate1b Alkene-1-sulfonic acid, perfluoro-, potassium salt (1:1)1c Cycloalkanesulfonic acid, perfluoro-, potassium salt (1:1)1d Chemical name K+ c-CnF2n-1SO3 CnF2n+1SO3H K+ CnF2n+1SO3 K+ CnF2n-1SO3 K+ c-CnF2n-1SO3 Molecular formula n = 7 (part of FC-98) Specification of chemical(s) n=8 n=8 n=8 n = 6 (part of FC-98) 68156-07-0 1763-23-1 2795-39-3 12751-11-0 3107-18-4 CAS No. P U U P P Type (KEMI Swedish Chemical Agency 2015b) (POPRC 2019) (CAS 2019 (WO2000024848)) (CAS 2019 (WO2000024848); De Silva et al. 2011) (CAS 2019 (WO2000024848); De Silva et al. 2011) Reference Table 1: PFAS historically or currently used, or patented, as additives to phosphate ester-based brake and hydraulic fluids. Patent number (date, legal status): WO2000024848 (2000, active). The types stand for U use and P patent. Additional explanations to the table are provided on Page 2 and 3 of this document. FC-98 is a commercial product. Cycloalkanesulfonic acid, decafluoro(trifluoromethyl)-, potassium salt (1:1)1e 7 1a 1b 2b Cycloalkanesulfonic acid, decafluoro(pentafluoroethyl)-, potassium salt (1:1)2a Cycloalkanesulfonic acid, perfluoro-4-(1,1,2,2,2pentafluoroethyl)-, potassium salt (1:1)2b Perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs) 2a K (POPRC 2019) 1e U 1d 67584-42-3 P (CAS 2019 (WO2000024848); De Silva et al. 2011) (R. E. Banks, Smart, and Tatlow 1994) 1c n=8 335-24-0 U K K+ c-CnF2n-1SO3 n = 8 (part of FC-98) - K K+ c-CnF2n-1SO3 - K - C4-C12 PFCAs and C4, C6, C8, and C10 PFSAs were detected in analyzed hydraulic fluids for aircraft applications (Zhu and Kannan 2020). However, it was not stated whether these hydraulic fluids were phosphate ester-based fluids or not. 1.1.2 Navigation PCTFE oils are used as flotation fluids in gyroscopes. Navigational devices containing these oils have been used in many commercial and military aircraft, as well as missiles. Newer technologies such as fibre optics are now increasingly used, but the floated gyroscopes have showed high accuracy and long field life (R. E. Banks, Smart, and Tatlow 1994). 1.1.3 Wire and cables Fluoropolymers are used in hoses, cable and wire insulations, and gaskets (POPRC 2016b). More information on this application is provided in Section 2.43 Cable and wire 8 1.1.4 Thermal control and radiator surfaces Thermal control and radiator surfaces have been the main uses of PFAS in aerospace applications (B. A. Banks 1997). Thermal control is required on a spacecraft because the materials undergo cycles of solar heating and radiative cooling with temperatures ranging between -80 and +150 °C. In a low earth orbit, such a cycle takes 90 minutes, which means that a spacecraft goes through 87660 thermal cycles in a 15 year mission. Thus, a spacecraft is required to reject waste heat and maintain acceptable temperatures within the spacecraft (B. A. Banks 1997). Typical characteristic of thermal control and radiator surfaces include long-term survival over a wide operating temperature range, low solar absorbance, high thermal emittance, and freedom from contamination by outgassing (B. A. Banks 1997). The most frequently used fluoropolymer for this applications have been fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer (FEP, CAS No. 25067-11-2) with a second (unexposed) surface metalized with silver or aluminium (B. A. Banks 1997). Other similar forms of thermal control surfaces or blankets consisted of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, CAS No. 9002-84-0) impregnated woven fiberglass (B. A. Banks 1997). 1.1.5 Fluoropolymer filled SiOx atomic oxygen protective coatings PTFE-filled SiOx (1.9