“Information on the global production and product specific uses of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) is lacking, the Norwegian Environment Agency has said.
PFHxS is often used as a substitute for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), which has been restricted under the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) since 2009.
Last year, Echa added PFHxS to the REACH candidate list because of very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) properties.
It has long-range transport potential and higher bioaccumulation in humans than PFOS, the Norwegian agency says in a report. Better information on worldwide manufacture and use of the substance is crucial for further evaluation of the risks it poses, it adds…
External market research studies point to a decline in the global production of PFHxS to less than 700kg in 2016 from around 700-750kg in 2012, with a further slight decrease reported for 2017, the report says.
It questions, however, the scientific quality and reliability of data contained in such market studies and says the reasons for the drop in production have not been explained.
Large-scale industrial production of PFHxS and related substances is still ongoing – with at least one manufacturer operating in Italy and three manufacturers in China, the report adds.
Global consumption of perfluorohexane sulfonyl fluoride (PFHxSF) – the starting material for the production of PFHxS – has increased steadily over the past seven years and a further increasing trend is foreseen in the coming years, it says.”
Read the full article by Clelia Oziel.