Issue 11, 2019

Previously unidentified sources of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances from building materials and industrial fabrics

Abstract

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are applied during the production of various consumer and industrial goods. As a consequence of their use in building materials and fabrics, unreacted nonpolymeric PFASs might enter the environment by evaporation or urban run-off. Since the PFAS content of building materials and industrial fabrics is hardly investigated, studies have to be performed in order to assess their total PFAS load. Building material samples (n = 23) and fabric samples (n = 28) were collected and their PFAS content was investigated. A total of 29 PFASs were analyzed (chain length in the range of C4–C14). PFASs of diverse chain lengths were detected in 53% of the analyzed samples. The sum of PFASs for awning materials and coating samples were amongst the highest. Furthermore, PFASs were detected in the majority of fabrics for maritime applications, public transport seat covers and fluoropolymer facade materials. To the best of our knowledge, this study was the first to investigate the PFAS concentrations in fabrics for maritime applications, fluoropolymer facade materials and coatings for architectural purposes. Thus, new sources of PFASs were identified that might lead to release of PFASs into the environment.

Graphical abstract: Previously unidentified sources of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances from building materials and industrial fabrics

  • This article is part of the themed collection: PFAS

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 Febr. 2019
Accepted
11 Jūn. 2019
First published
20 Jūn. 2019

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019,21, 1936-1945

Previously unidentified sources of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances from building materials and industrial fabrics

R. M. Janousek, S. Lebertz and T. P. Knepper, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2019, 21, 1936 DOI: 10.1039/C9EM00091G

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