Formation of C7F15COOH (PFOA) and other perfluorocarboxylic acids during the atmospheric oxidation of 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Calculations using a three-dimensional global atmospheric chemistry model (IMPACT) indicate that n-C8F17CH2CH2-OH (widely used in industrial and consumer products) degrades in the atmosphere to give perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs). PFOA is persistent, bioaccumulative, and potentially toxic Molar yields of PFOA depend on location and season, are in the range of 1-10 and are of the correct order of magnitude to explain the observed levels in Arctic fauna. Fluorotelomer alcohols such as n-C8F17CH2CH2OH appear to be a significant global source of persistent bioaccumulative perfluorocarboxylic acid pollution. This is the first modeling study of the atmospheric chemistry of a fluorotelomer alcohol.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology
Volume40
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)924-930
Number of pages7
ISSN0013-936X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

ID: 44568219