Cited by 1,000Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchToxic Organic Pollutants ImpactFluorine in Organic Chemistry

Degradation of Fluorotelomer Alcohols: A Likely Atmospheric Source of Perfluorinated Carboxylic Acids

Ellis, David A., Martin, Jonathan W., De Silva, Amila O., Mabury, Scott A., Hurley, Michael D., Sulbaek Andersen, Mads P., Wallington, Timothy J.·2004·Environmental Science & Technology

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. Atmospheric degradation of FTOHs is likely to contribute to the widespread dissemination of PFCAs. After their bioaccumulation potential is accounted for, the pattern of PFCAs yielded from FTOHs could account for the distinct contamination profile of PFCAs observed in arctic animals. Furthermore, polar bear liver was shown to contain predominately linear isomers (>99%) of perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), while both branched and linear isomers were observed for perfluorooctanoic acid, strongly suggesting a sole input of PFNA from "telomer"-based products. The significance of the gas-phase 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 reexamination of the environmental fate and impact of this important class of industrial chemicals.

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Crossref · 10.1021/es049860w

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Authors
Ellis, D. A., Martin, J. W., De Silva, A. O., Mabury, S. A., Hurley, M. D., Sulbaek Andersen, M. P., & Wallington, T. J.
Affiliations
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
  • Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3H6, Ford Motor Company, SRL 3083, P.O. Box 2053, Dearborn, Michigan, 48121-2053, and Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Corresponding author
Mabury, Scott A.
Venue
Environmental Science & Technology
Published
2004-05-12
Volume
38
Issue
12
Pages
3316-3321
ISSN
  • 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-5851
OpenAlex
W2002378618
Cited by
1,000
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 59 · 2025: 55 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 52 · 2020: 61 · 2019: 46 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 41 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 34 · 2014: 42 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 41
FWCI
27.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Fluorine in Organic Chemistry
Keywords
fluorotelomer alcohols, perfluorinated carboxylic acids, atmospheric degradation, perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, bioaccumulation, smog chamber experiments
MeSH terms
Air Pollutants, Animals, Atmosphere, Ursidae, Carboxylic Acids, Fluorocarbons, Isomerism, Liver, Smog, Tissue Distribution

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