Thermal degradation of fluorotelomer treated articles and related materials

Chemosphere. 2005 Nov;61(7):974-84. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.03.025.

Abstract

This study reports the first known studies to investigate the thermal degradation of a polyester/cellulose fabric substrate ("article") treated with a fluorotelomer-based acrylic polymer under laboratory conditions conservatively representing typical combustion conditions of time, temperature, and excess air level in a municipal incinerator, with an average temperature of 1000 degrees C or greater over approximately 2s residence time. The results demonstrate that the polyester/cellulose fabric treated with a fluorotelomer-based acrylic polymer is destroyed and no detectable amount of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is formed under typical municipal incineration conditions. Therefore, textiles and paper treated with such a fluorotelomer-based acrylic polymer disposed of in municipal waste and incinerated are expected to be destroyed and not be a significant source of PFOA in the environment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins*
  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Caprylates / analysis*
  • Cellulose
  • Fluorocarbon Polymers*
  • Fluorocarbons / analysis*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Incineration*
  • Polyesters
  • Textiles*
  • Thermogravimetry

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Air Pollutants
  • Caprylates
  • Fluorocarbon Polymers
  • Fluorocarbons
  • Polyesters
  • Cellulose
  • perfluorooctanoic acid