The Fluorine Debate

Fluorine, chlorine, and bromine all belong to a family of elements known as halogens. Halogens form strong chemical bonds, which makes the resultant compounds durable and often inert—but their longevity also allows them to accumulate in biological systems. Many halogenated compounds have been demonstrated to be toxic in laboratory tests.

There is growing evidence that fluoropolymers, comprised almost entirely of carbon and fluorine, pose health and environmental dangers. According to some environmental and health advocates, they may be a worse threat than chlorinated polymers such as PVC.

Fluoropolymers go by many different names, but the family of chemicals is often referred to as perfluorochemicals (PFCs). They are synthetic chemicals that don’t occur naturally in the environment, and they exhibit properties that have made them useful for a wide range of applications, from nonstick surfaces to stain-shedding fabric treatments to wire insulation.

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In April 2003, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a preliminary risk assessment for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), one type of PFC, noting that “studies recently evaluated by the agency have raised a number of potential toxicity concerns.” The agency has solicited information about PFOA from the industry and the scientific community, and fluoropolymer manufacturers have voluntarily agreed to reduce emissions, to study their products to determine if they contribute to the widespread PFOA pollution, and to take steps to reduce worker exposure during manufacturing.

Several recent peer-reviewed papers in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives also detail the potential health impacts of PFCs. A September 2003 paper entitled “Neuroendocrine Effects of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOs) in Rats” presented evidence that PFOs can function as an endocrine inhibitor. In the December 2003 issue, another paper showed that out of 645 blood samples collected at random from six Red Cross blood banks around the country, all but one had measurable levels of PFOs.

Industry response to these concerns has been mixed. In the late 1990s, manufacturer 3M discovered that PFOA, used in producing its popular Scotchguard fabric treatment, was showing up in humans and wildlife worldwide, and in May 2000, the company announced it was voluntarily pulling it off the market. DuPont, which had purchased PFOA from 3M, has continued to produce the chemical to fuel its $1.5 billion fluoropolymer business. DuPont downplays health and environmental concerns about PFOA, but also points out that its Teflon products, such as FEP, use PFOA in manufacturing but don’t contain the compound in the finished product. While DuPont claims that its fluoropolymer products are safe, the company also posts some consumer warnings on its Web site. A.W.