Abstract

Background:

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manmade chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. The widespread use, large number, and diverse chemical structures of PFAS pose challenges to any sufficiently protective regulation, emissions reduction, and remediation at contaminated sites. Regulating only a subset of PFAS has led to their replacement with other members of the class with similar hazards, that is, regrettable substitutions. Regulations that focus solely on perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are ineffective, given that nearly all other PFAS can generate PFAAs in the environment.

Objectives:

In this commentary, we present the rationale adopted by the State of California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) for regulating PFAS as a class in certain consumer products.

Discussion:

We at the California DTSC propose regulating certain consumer products if they contain any member of the class of PFAS because: a) all PFAS, or their degradation, reaction, or metabolism products, display at least one common hazard trait according to the California Code of Regulations, namely environmental persistence; and b) certain key PFAS that are the degradation, reaction or metabolism products, or impurities of nearly all other PFAS display additional hazard traits, including toxicity; are widespread in the environment, humans, and biota; and will continue to cause adverse impacts for as long as any PFAS continue to be used. Regulating PFAS as a class is thus logical, necessary, and forward-thinking. This technical position may be helpful to other regulatory agencies in comprehensively addressing this large class of chemicals with common hazard traits. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7431

中文翻译：

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根据加州更安全的消费品计划将 PFAS 作为化学类别进行监管

 抽象的

 背景：

全氟烷基和多氟烷基物质 (PFAS) 是一组含有至少一个全氟化碳原子的人造化学品。 PFAS 的广泛使用、数量庞大且化学结构多样，对污染场地的充分保护性监管、减排和修复提出了挑战。仅监管 PFAS 的一个子集导致其被具有类似危害的其他成员所取代，即令人遗憾的替代。鉴于几乎所有其他 PFAS 都会在环境中产生 PFAA，仅关注全氟烷基酸 (PFAA) 的法规是无效的。

 目标：

在本评论中，我们介绍了加利福尼亚州有毒物质控制部 (DTSC) 将 PFAS 作为某些消费品中的一类进行监管的基本原理。

 讨论：

我们加州 DTSC 建议对含有 PFAS 类任何成员的某些消费品进行监管，因为： a ) 根据加州法规，所有 PFAS 或其降解、反应或代谢产品至少显示一种常见危险特征法规，即环境持久性； b ) 某些关键的 PFAS 是几乎所有其他 PFAS 的降解、反应或代谢产物或杂质，显示出额外的危险特征，包括毒性；广泛存在于环境、人类和生物群中；只要继续使用任何 PFAS，就会继续造成不利影响。因此，将 PFAS 作为一个类别进行监管是合乎逻辑的、必要的和前瞻性的。这一技术立场可能有助于其他监管机构全面解决这一大类具有共同危险特性的化学品。 https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7431