New Study Demonstrates Vast Majority of Commercial Fluoropolymers Meet Criteria for Polymers of Low Concern Designation
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Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Polymer, Human, CPT, PCTFE, ECTFE, Atomic mass, Management, Research, Particle size, Fluoroelastomer, Transport, Environmental impact assessment, FKM, PFAS, American Chemistry Council, Aircraft, Electronics, Fluoropolymer, THV, Personal protective equipment, Semiconductor, FFKM, Environment, FEVE, Health, PLC, Family, PFP, PVDF, Water fluoridation, Thermoplastic
WASHINGTON, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
Key Points:
- 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.
- While greatly increasing the number and scope of chemistries that meet the PLC criteria, the paper also demonstrates that in addition to fluoropolymers, several fluoroelastomers, ionomers, and amorphous fluoropolymers qualify as well.
- "Therefore, we advocate for segmentation based on properties before performing any grouping-based risk assessment, placing stable, non-hazardous fluoropolymers, that meet the criteria to be considered polymers on low concern, in a separate category."
- A critical review of the application of polymer of low concern and regulatory criteria to fluoropolymers.