307-34-6 | Perfluorooctane

CAS:307-34-6 | Perfluorooctane ,Description

Perfluorooctane (PFO) is a synthetic fluorinated hydrocarbon that has been used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products for decades. It is a colorless, odorless, and non-flammable liquid with a low boiling point and a high surface tension. PFO is highly resistant to degradation and can persist in the environment for long periods of time. It has been used in a variety of applications, including fire-fighting foams, lubricants, and surface coatings. PFO has also been used in medical and laboratory applications, including tissue engineering and drug delivery. In recent years, the potential toxicity of PFO has become a major concern, as it has been linked to adverse health effects in humans and animals.
 

Scientific Research Applications

Environmental Persistence and Toxicity

Perfluorooctane, as part of a group of polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs), has been studied extensively for its environmental distribution, persistence, and potential toxicity. These compounds, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are ubiquitous in the environment and can be found in the blood of animals and humans. Their continued use in various forms poses long-term challenges to public health and the environment (Lindstrom, Strynar, & Libelo, 2011).

Unique Properties and Applications

Perfluorooctane is part of fluoropolymers, which are high molecular weight polymers with unique properties like thermal, chemical, photochemical, hydrolytic, oxidative, and biological stability. These properties make them useful in various industrial applications. Fluoropolymers, due to their high molecular weight, are not bioavailable or bioaccumulative and exhibit low to no toxicity (Henry et al., 2018).

Presence in Aquatic Environments

Perfluorooctane compounds are present in various environmental media, including water systems and sediments. Studies have indicated their presence in fish from US urban rivers and the Great Lakes, highlighting the compound's broad environmental distribution (Stahl et al., 2014).

Human Exposure and Health Implications

There is significant research on the pathways of human exposure to perfluorooctane and its possible association with various diseases. These studies underscore the importance of understanding the body burden of these compounds and the main sources and routes responsible for human exposure (Zhao, Wong, & Wong, 2012).

Treatment and Remediation Techniques

Research has also been conducted on the determination and treatment of perfluorooctane compounds in the environment. This includes the application of technologies like liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry for determination, as well as adsorption and separation techniques for pollution treatment (Liang Aimin, 2008).

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