Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid - Uses

Uses

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid is usually used as the sodium or potassium salts.

• PFOS was the key ingredient in Scotchgard, a fabric protector made by 3M, and numerous stain repellents.
• PFOS, together with PFOA, has also been used to make aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), a component of fire-fighting foams, and alcohol-type concentrate foams.
• PFOS compounds can be also found in some impregnation agents for textiles, paper, and leather; in wax, polishes, paints, varnishes, and cleaning products for general use; in metal surfaces, and carpets.
• In the semiconductor industry, PFOS is used in multiple photolithographic chemicals including: photoacid generators (PAGs) and anti-reflective coatings (ARCs). It has been phased out in the European Union semiconductor industry due to health concerns.
• In Skydrol, a hydraulic fluid used in commercial aviation.

The most important emission sources of PFOS are metal plating and fire-fighting foams.