Perfluorooctanoic acid
Identifier: CID 9554
URL: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/9554#section=2D-Structure
Fluorocarbon with 8 C-atoms
Perfluorooctane acid (PFOA) is a fluorosurfactant with a polar carboxylic group and a hydrophobic and und lipophobic (water- and fat-repellent) perfluorinated C-chain. Due to these properties it is widely used for instance in textile-, leather- and paper-impregnation and sealing of stone, tiles and wood. PFOA is component of waxes, cable insulations, industrial cleaning agents and fire-fighting foams. In its acid form it is an intermediate in fluoroacrylic production. Its salts are mainly used as emulsifiers in the production of fluoropolymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, tradenames Teflon®, Gore-Tex®), polyvinylidene fluoride and fluoroelastomers.
During production and use it may be emitted into the environment. It is highly persistent and may be subject to long-range transport. PFOA has a high potential for bioaccumulation. In animal experiments it is carcinogenic, toxic and endrocrine disruptive. It is toxic to aquatic organisms and may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
Risk assessment of PFOA is still ongoing. Nevertheless, under the leadership of the US-EPA six producers of PFOA have agreed on a voluntary 95%-reduction of PFOA emissions by 2010 and a complete renouncement by 2015.
Specimen
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Common mussel species as invasive animal in rivers and lakes with high information level for water pollution
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Bioindicator in rivers and lakes
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Fine insoluble mineral or organic particles in the water phase
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Common brown alga of the coastal areas of the North and Baltic Sea
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One of the most important edible mussel species common in the North and Baltic Sea
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As the only viviparous fish in German nearshore waters, it is a bioindicator in nearshore coastal marine ecosystems.
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Inshore, the herring gull mainly feeds from the sea: upon fish, mussels, and crabs.
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A major primary producer in semi-natural and anthropogenic affected ecosystems.
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A major primary producer in semi-natural and anthropogenic affected ecosystems.
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A deciduous tree typical of ecosystems close to dense conurbations and an indicator for the characterisation of the immission situation during the vegetation period.
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As the most dominant deciduous tree species in Central Europe, it plays a significant role in most nearly natural and also anthropogenically influenced forest ecosystems up to an altitude of 1100 m.
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The roe deer is the most common of the larger herbivores (first order-consumer) to be found in the wild in Europe.
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A pigeon species home in nearly every city.
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As an organism living at ground level, it is a major driver of the decomposition of organic material (e.g. plant litter).
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As an organism living at ground level, it is a major driver of the decomposition of organic material (e.g. plant litter).
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Soil is livelihood and biosphere for humans, animals, plants and soil organisms. All the substances brought in are transported, transformed and/or accumulated in the soil.
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Student groups with an even number of female and male students at the age of 20 to 29.
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Sampling area
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The only high mountains national park in Germany and an area of the Limestone Alps with international relevance
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Important, old-industrialised conurbation in Germany.
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Main water divide between the North- and Baltic Sea
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Longest river in Germany
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Germany's first national park
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National Park in the largest brackish water (Bodden) habitat of the world.
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National park in the world largest connected sand and mud flats.
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Fourth largest river basin in Central Europe
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Region in the chemical triangle of Central Germany
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Germany's largest forest national park
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Second highest and largest low mountain range in Northern Germany
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Germany's largest connected forest area in a range of low mountains
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The Upper Bavarian Tertiary Uplands are a part of the Southern German Molasse Basin
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Second largest river in Europe
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4 university cities as sampling areas.
Sampling period
1982 - 2022
Extended information
Links to external information and legislation
Literature
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Retrospective monitoring of perfluorocarboxylates and perfluorosulfonates in human plasma archived by the German Environmental Specimen Bank
Schröter-Kermani, Christa; Müller, Josef; Jürling, Heinrich; Conrad, André; Schulte, Christoph
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 216 (2013), 6, 633-640, 2013