Nonpolymeric Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Side-Chain Fluorinated Polymers in Canadian Building
Min Liu1,2,3, Chunjie Xia4, Hui Peng2,5
1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B1, Canada.
Environmental Science & Technology
|September 17, 2025
Summary
Exterior building products like paints, sealers, and textiles are sources of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This study found significant levels of these chemicals, indicating building materials contribute to environmental PFAS contamination.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Polymer Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in consumer and industrial products.
- Concerns exist regarding the environmental release and impact of PFAS from various sources.
- The contribution of building materials to environmental PFAS loading is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if exterior building products serve as a source of PFAS to the environment.
- To identify and quantify specific types of PFAS present in paints, sealers, and textiles.
- To assess the potential for environmental release of PFAS from these building materials.
Main Methods:
- Development of a combined 1D and 2D-DOSY 19F NMR method for PFAS characterization.
- Analysis of 145 samples of exterior-use paints, sealers, and textiles.
- Utilized advanced mass spectrometry for detailed PFAS identification.
Main Results:
- 36% of paints, 24% of sealers, and 70% of textiles contained significant levels of total organic fluorine (TOF).
- Identified various nonpolymeric PFAS and side-chain fluorinated polymers (SCFPs) including fluorotelomer-based substances and PBSF-based PFAS.
- Specific PFAS identified included 6:2 FT, 8:2 FT, fluorotelomer phosphate esters (PAPs), fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOH), and MeFBSE.
Conclusions:
- Exterior building products, including paints, sealers, and textiles, contain substantial amounts of polymeric and nonpolymeric PFAS.
- These building materials are likely contributors to the environmental burden of PFAS.
- Further research is needed to quantify release rates and environmental fate from these products.
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