The Madrid Statement on Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)

Vol. 123, No. 5 Brief CommunicationsOpen AccessThe Madrid Statement on Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) is accompanied byFluorotechnology Is Critical to Modern Life: The FluoroCouncil Counterpoint to the Madrid Statementis companion ofAlternatives to PFASs: Perspectives on the Science Arlene Blum, Simona A. Balan, Martin Scheringer, Xenia Trier, Gretta Goldenman, Ian T. Cousins, Miriam Diamond, Tony Fletcher, Christopher Higgins, Avery E. Lindeman, Graham Peaslee, Pim de Voogt, Zhanyun Wang, and Roland Weber Arlene Blum Department of Chemistry, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA Green Science Policy Institute, Berkeley, California, USA, Simona A. Balan Green Science Policy Institute, Berkeley, California, USA, Martin Scheringer Leuphana University, Lüneburg, Germany Safety and Environmental Technology Group, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland, Xenia Trier Division of Food Chemistry, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark, Gretta Goldenman European Centre on Sustainable Policies for Human and Environmental Rights, Brussels, Belgium, Ian T. Cousins Department of Applied Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden, Miriam Diamond Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Tony Fletcher Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene Fire Fighting Foam Coalition 2014), and they migrate out of consumer products into air (Shoeib et al. 2011), household dust (Björklund et al. 2009), food (Begley et al. 2008; Tittlemier et al. 2007; Trier et al. 2011), soil (Sepulvado et al. 2011; Strynar et al. 2012), ground and surface water, and make their way into drinking water (Eschauzier et al. 2012; Rahman et al. 2014). In animal studies, some long-chain PFASs have been found to cause liver toxicity, disruption of lipid metabolism and the immune and endocrine systems, adverse neurobehavioral effects, neonatal toxicity and death, and tumors in multiple organ systems (Lau et al. 2007; Post et al. 2012). In the growing body of epidemiological evidence, some of these effects are supported by significant or suggestive associations between specific long-chain PFASs and adverse outcomes, including associations with testicular and kidney cancers (Barry et al. 2013; Benbrahim-Tallaa et al. 2014), liver malfunction (Gallo et al. 2012), hypothyroidism (Lopez-Espinosa et al. 2012), high cholesterol (Fitz-Simon et al. 2013; Nelson et al. 2009), ulcerative colitis (Steenland et al. 2013), lower birth weight and size (Fei et al. 2007), obesity (Halldorsson et al. 2012), decreased immune response to vaccines (Grandjean et al. 2012), and reduced hormone levels and delayed puberty (Lopez-Espinosa et al. 2011). Due to their high persistence, global distribution, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity, some PFASs have been listed under the Stockholm Convention (United Nations Environment Programme 2009) as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). As documented in the Helsingør Statement (Scheringer et al. 2014), Although some of the long-chain PFASs are being regulated or phased out, the most common replacements are short-chain PFASs with similar structures, or compounds with fluorinated segments joined by ether linkages. While some shorter-chain fluorinated alternatives seem to be less bioaccumulative, they are still as environmentally persistent as long-chain substances or have persistent degradation products. Thus, a switch to short-chain and other fluorinated alternatives may not reduce the amounts of PFASs in the environment. In addition, because some of the shorter-chain PFASs are less effective, larger quantities may be needed to provide the same performance. While many fluorinated alternatives are being marketed, little information is publicly available on their chemical structures, properties, uses, and toxicological profiles. Increasing use of fluorinated alternatives will lead to increasing levels of stable perfluorinated degradation products in the environment, and possibly also in biota and humans. This would increase the risks of adverse effects on human health and the environment. Initial efforts to estimate overall emissions of PFASs into the environment have been limited due to uncertainties related to product formulations, quantities of production, production locations, efficiency of emission controls, and long-term trends in production history (Wang et al. 2014). The technical capacity to destroy PFASs is currently insufficient in many parts of the world. Global action through the Montreal Protocol (United Nations Environment Programme 2012) successfully reduced the use of the highly persistent ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), thus allowing for the recovery of the ozone layer. However, many of the organofluorine replacements for CFCs are still of concern due to their high global warming potential. It is essential to learn from such past efforts and take measures at the international level to reduce the use of PFASs in products and prevent their replacement with fluorinated alternatives in order to avoid long-term harm to human health and the environment. For these reasons, we call on the international community to cooperate in limiting the production and use of PFASs and in developing safer nonfluorinated alternatives. We therefore urge scientists, governments, chemical and product manufacturers, purchasing organizations, retailers, and consumers to take the following actions: Scientists: Assemble, in collaboration with industry and governments, a global inventory of all PFASs in use or in the environment, including precursors and degradation products, and their functionality, properties, and toxicology. Develop analytical methods for the identification and quantification of additional families of PFASs, including fluorinated alternatives. Continue monitoring for legacy PFASs in different matrices and for environmental reservoirs of PFASs. Continue investigating the mechanisms of toxicity and exposure (e. g. , sources, fate, transport, and bioaccumulation of PFASs), and improve methods for testing the safety of alternatives. Bring research results to the attention of policy makers, industry, the media, and the public. Governments: Enact legislation to require only essential uses of PFASs, and enforce labeling to indicate uses. Require manufacturers of PFASs toconduct more extensive toxicological testing, make chemical structures public, provide validated analytical methods for detection of PFASs, andassume extended producer responsibility and implement safe disposal of products and stockpiles containing PFASs. Work with industry to develop public registries of products containing PFASs. Make public annual statistical data on production, imports, and exports of PFASs. Whenever possible, avoid products containing, or manufactured using, PFASs in government procurement. In collaboration with industry, ensure that an infrastructure is in place to safely transport, dispose of, and destroy PFASs and PFAS-containing products, and enforce these measures. Chemical manufacturers: Make data on PFASs publicly available, including chemical structures, properties, and toxicology. Provide scientists with standard samples of PFASs, including precursors and degradation products, to enable environmental monitoring of PFASs. Work with scientists and governments to develop safe disposal methods for PFASs. Provide the supply chain with documentation on PFAS content and safe disposal guidelines. Develop nonfluorinated alternatives that are neither persistent nor toxic. Product manufacturers: Stop using PFASs where they are not essential or when safer alternatives exist. Develop inexpensive and sensitive PFAS quantification methods for compliance testing. Label products containing PFASs, including chemical identity and safe disposal guidelines. Invest in the development and use of nonfluorinated alternatives. Purchasing organizations, retailers, and individual consumers: Whenever possible, avoid products containing, or manufactured using, PFASs. These include many products that are stain-resistant, waterproof, or nonstick. Question the use of such fluorinated "performance" chemicals added to consumer products. The views expressed in this statement are solely those of the authors and signatories. The authors declare they have no actual or potential competing financial interests. ReferencesBarry V, Winquist A, Steenland K. 2013. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exposures and incident cancers among adults living near a chemical plant. 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Aristizabal, PhD, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, National University of Colombia, Manizales, ColombiaAbel Arkenbout, PhD, Chairman, ToxicoWatch Foundation, Harlingen, the NetherlandsMisha Askren, MD, Physician, Urgent Care, Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, California, USAJannicke Bakkejord, Senior Engineer, National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research, Bergen, NorwayGeorg Becher, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Exposure and Risk Assessment, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, NorwayThea Bechshoft, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, DenmarkPeter Behnisch, PhD, Director, BioDetection System, Amsterdam, the NetherlandsSusanne Bejerot, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, SwedenStephen Bent, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Psychiatry, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USAUrs Berger, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, SwedenÅke Bergman, PhD, Executive Director and Professor, Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center, Södertälje, SwedenVladimir Beškoski, PhD, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, SerbiaEmmanuelle Bichon, Scientific and Technical Support Manager, Oniris, Nantes-Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, Nantes, FranceFilip Bjurlid, PhD Student, Man–Technology–Environment Research Centre, Örebro University, Örebro, SwedenTara Blank, PhD, Consultant, Elixir Environmental, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USADaniel Borg, PhD, Toxicology Consultant, Trossa AB, Stockholm, SwedenCarl-Gustaf Bornehag, PhD, Professor, Department of Health and Environment, Karlstad University, Karlstad, SwedenHindrik Bouwman, PhD, Lecturer, Zoology Group, North-West University, Mahikeng, South AfricaLindsay Bramwell, MSc, Research Associate, Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomKnut Breivik, PhD, Senior Scientist and Professor, NILU–Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Kjeller, NorwayKatja Broeg, PhD, Researcher, Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, SwedenPhil Brown, PhD, University Distinguished Professor of and Health Sciences, and Director, Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute, University, MS, PhD Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, MS, Technical Research Institute, San PhD Student, Safety and Environmental Technology Group, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, PhD, of Department, of Environmental de United Nations PhD, Professor, Department of PhD, Associate Professor, Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences, National University, MD, Executive Director, PhD, Professor, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, PhD, Emeritus, Colorado, J. PhD, Professor of Green Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University, and Director, Institute for Green Science, PhD, Senior Scientist, Environmental Group, PhD, Professor, Center, University of PhD, Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University, California, H. National Food Center, PhD, Research Scientist, Institute of Environmental and Research, for Scientific Research, de PhD, Professor, Department of Applied Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, PhD, Professor, Department National of PhD Student, Safety and Environmental Technology Group, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, PhD, Chemistry Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, PhD, of and Sciences, College, PhD, Professor Emeritus, University, California, PhD Student, Man–Technology–Environment Research Centre, Örebro University, Örebro, MS, PhD Student, Assessment, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, PhD Student, Department of University of PhD, Senior Researcher, Division of National Institute for Sciences, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Department of Applied Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Researcher, Danish Research Institute, University, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, for Global Science, Institute of PhD, Senior for Sustainable and A. PhD, Distinguished Professor and and Professor of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of University of New New California, PhD, Professor, National Centre for Environmental The University of PhD, Researcher, Department of Applied Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, PhD, Associate Fellow, Institute of Environment, Health, and University, United Director of and PhD, Research Scientist, Institute for Scientific Research, MS, PhD Student, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, PhD Student, Institute of Environmental and Research, for Scientific Research, MSc, PhD, Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Scientific of Food and Environment, PhD, Senior Scientist, European and Programme PhD, Department of Environment and Institute of Science and PhD Student, Safety and Environmental Technology Group, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, PhD, Research European for and in and PhD, Professor of Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Stockholm, PhD, Researcher, Department of Applied Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, PhD, Senior Scientist, NILU–Norwegian Institute for Air Research, PhD, Professor of Environmental Chemistry, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of United PhD, Professor of Nutrition and and Director, University of Research Center, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, San University, San California, PhD, Senior Researcher, Environmental Chemistry, NILU–Norwegian Institute for Air Research, de de de Public Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Science, and University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, MSc, PhD Student, Department of Applied Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, PhD Center, University of Researcher, Institute of Research, PhD, Researcher, Department of Centre for Environmental Research, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Norwegian University of Science and PhD, Research Director and PhD Research Scientist, Institute of Environmental and Research, for Scientific Research, PhD, Research Scientist, School of Science and Örebro University, Örebro, E. Director, Senior Consultant, PhD, Research Scientist, California Department of Public Health, California, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of University of at PhD, Assistant Professor, University of the PhD, Associate Professor, Man–Technology–Environment Research Centre, Örebro University, Örebro, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, University, PhD, Research of Group, Institute PhD, Professor, Research for in the Environment, Faculty of Science, University, PhD, Science and to Institute, San Francisco, California,