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Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, usually abbreviated to PFOS, was once a widely used surfactant in fabric protectors, firefighting foams, and photolithographic chemical mixtures. It was introduced in 1949 by 3M Co. (then known as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.).
By 1968, traces of PFOS began to appear in human blood. 3M began to phase it out in 2000, but it and similar perfluorinated compounds continue to be produced in China.
Because of the multiple hazards imposed by PFOS and its cousins (see hazard information box), efforts have been made to for several years. Specifically, perfluorinated C6 surfactants have lower toxicological and environmental profiles than the C8s. Some of the C6s meet US military foam standards.
Thus far, the C6 products have significantly outperformed fluorine-free surfactants. But the pressure is on to develop better non-fluorine foams because last year Congress passed, and the president signed, an act that allows civilian airports to use these foams to fight fires.
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid hazard information
| GHS classification*: corrosive to metals, category 1 | |
| H290鈥擬ay be corrosive to metals聽聽 |  |
| GHS classification: acute toxicity, oral, category 3 | |
| H301鈥擳oxic if swallowed |  |
| GHS classification: skin corrosion, category 1B | |
| H314鈥擟auses severe skin burns and eye damage | |
| GHS classification: serious eye damage, category 1 | |
| H318鈥擟auses serious eye damage | |
| GHS classification: acute toxicity, inhalation, category 4 | |
| H332鈥擧armful if inhaled |  |
| GHS classification: carcinogenicity, category 2 | |
| H351鈥擲uspected of causing cancer |  |
| GHS classification: reproductive toxicity, category 1A | |
| H360鈥擬ay damage fertility or the unborn child | |
| GHS classification: hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard, category 2 | |
| H401鈥擳oxic to aquatic life | |
| GHS classification: hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard, category 2 | |
| H411鈥擳oxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects |  |
*Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.聽
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid fast facts
| CAS Reg. No. | 1763-23-1 |
| Empirical formula | C8HF17O3S |
| Molar mass | 500.13 g/mol |
| Appearance | White powder |
| Melting point | Not available |
| Boiling point | 258鈥�260 潞C |
| Water solubility | 680 mg/L |
MOTW update:
April 17, 2023
Cannabidiol1 (CBD) was the Molecule of the Week for February 6, 2017. It is a non-psychoactive marijuana constituent that is useful for controlling pain and other medical conditions. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid2 (PFOS) was once a widely used surfactant; but because it became an environmental pollutant鈥攅ven appearing in human blood鈥攊t was removed from the market.
What鈥檚 the connection between CBD and PFOS? Earlier this month, Hang Yin, Shu Li, and co-workers at Northeast Agricultural University (Harbin, China) reported that administering CBD can . In a mouse study, the researchers found that CBD alleviates myocardial cell apoptosis caused by PFOS by restoring antioxidant capacity, mitochondrial function, and energy metabolic homeostasis to the cells.
1. CAS Reg. No. 13956-29-1.
2. CAS Reg. No. 1763-23-1.
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