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PFOA

Synonyms: Perfluorooctanoic acid

CAS Number: 335-67-1

SERIOUS
health hazard

MODERATE
health hazard

FEW OR NO
health hazards

0 79
80 89
90 100
33

Sources of exposure:

Cleaning products and household care
industrial uses

Environmental pollution (soil, water), consumer goods, packaging, cookware

Description:

PFOA is a perfluorinated compound (PFAS) that is widespread in the environment. It has been used as a surfactant in the manufacture of fluoropolymers and in consumer products such as textiles, carpets, leather, non-stick cookware, and food packaging. PFOA can also form as a degradation product of other PFAS. It is subject to global bans and restrictions, including elimination under the Stockholm Convention (Annex A), US EPA TSCA, US Safe Drinking Water Act, and REACH Annex XVII.

Health concerns:

Cancer

Known or suspected to increase cancer risk in humans.

Endocrine Disruption

May alter hormone function and contribute to chronic diseases and disorders.

Reproductive Toxicity

May alter hormone function and harm reproduction.

Immunotoxicity & Allergens

May impact immune system function or cause allergic reactions.

Respiratory Toxicity & Asthmagens

May damage the lungs or trigger asthma.

Ecotoxicity

May be toxic to ecosystems and wildlife.

Banned/restricted lists:

  • Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) REACH Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) European Commission Annex VII substances restricted under REACH.

References

  1. US Environmental Protection Agency. Cheminformatics Modules, Computational Toxicology and Exposure Informatics (CompTox).
  2. California Department of Public Health. California Safe Cosmetics Reportable Ingredients List.

HOW MILLION MARKER SCORES CHEMICALS

Million Marker's Ingredient Hazard Scoring uses multiple chemical databases and a science-backed scoring system to compute hazard scores for thousands of chemicals found in consumer products and listed on ingredient labels.

We identified key chemicals based on a database compiling dozens of authoritative sources, screening tools, and QSAR models.

Hazard scores within 11 different health categories (carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, reproductive toxicants, developmental toxicants, genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, organ system toxicity, immunotoxicity, respiratory toxicity, skin/eye/respiratory irritants, and ecotoxicity).

They are weighted based on several factors, including strength of evidence for adverse impacts in humans, severity, and potential contamination.

For more information on our scoring methodology visit this page.