PM06 Emerging Pollutants
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Monday
(PM061) The Atmospheric Degradation of Fluorotelomer Alcohols.
Ellis, D1, Martin, J2, Mabury, S2, Hurley, M3, Sulbaek Andersen, M3, Wallington, T3, 1 Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada2 University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada3 Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan, USA
ABSTRACT- Human and animal tissues collected in urban and remote global locations contain persistent and bioaccumulative perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs). The source of PFCAs was previously unknown. Here we present smog-chamber studies that indicate fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) can degrade in the atmosphere to yield a homologous series of PFCAs, and we propose that atmospheric degradation of FTOHs is likely to contribute to the widespread dissemination of PFCAs. The significance of the gas-phase acyl peroxy radical cross-reactions that produce PFCAs has not been recognized previously. Such reactions are expected to occur during the atmospheric degradation of all polyfluorinated materials, necessitating a re-examination of the environmental fate and impact of this important class of industrial chemicals.
Key words: Degradation, Fluorotelomers, Atmospheric, Arctic