Review of Physical and Chemical Properties of Perfluorooctanyl sulphonate (PFOS) with Respect to its Potential Contamination on the Environment

Abstract

Perfluorinated surfactants have emerged as priority environmental contaminants due to their detection in environmental and biological matrices as well as concerns regarding their persistence and toxicity. They have been found in groundwater, particularly at sites used for training firefighters. They do not biodegrade easily in groundwater, and are not retarded during transport. The most common chemical is Perfluorooctanyl Sulphonate (PFOS), which is mainly used in aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) to extinguish hydrocarbon-fuel fires. It is also used in many herbicide and insecticide formulations, cosmetics, greases and lubricants, paints, polishes, and adhesives. PFOS and related fluoro-organic chemicals have been used since the 1950s. A quantity of fluorosurfactants and related products are still in use all over the world. Intensive studies over the last few years discovered that PFOS and certain by-products were both ubiquitous in the environment and highly persistent. PFOS does not biodegrade in the environment and very limited degradation has been observed in wastewater treatment. The breakthrough curves of a single-well push-pull test indicated that there was no retardation for PFOS as well. It was detected in part-per-billion levels in blood samples obtained from blood banks in the United States, Japan, Europe, and China. There have been more and more reports on the accumulation and effect of PFOS in wild animals’ liver, serum and muscle as well. This suggests that PFOS can bioaccumulate to higher levels of the food chain.