2023/12/20 by Joost Dalmijn, Juliane Glüge, Martin Scheringer +1 · 1 voice · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols #Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research #Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
paper · pdf · doi:10.1039/d3em00426k
openalex publication_date 2023/12/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons (CFCs, H(C)FCs and PFCs)) by this industry have reportedly decreased between 2007 and 2021 from roughly 500 to 150 tonnes per year. Emissions of fluorosurfactants to air and water have also been reduced significantly. However, large uncertainties remain regarding the emissions of substances that are neither fluorinated gases nor fluorosurfactants but are classified as PFASs, such as polymerization by-products, chain transfer agents and fluorinated solvents. The available data indicate that the release of these substances is not decreasing but remains relatively stable. As this inventory probably underestimates emissions, further research, improved data availability and more harmonized reporting of emissions are necessary to obtain more accurate emission data for these substances. Nevertheless, based on the available data, it is clear that the emissions from fluoropolymer production plants to air and water are still significant and that the production of fluoropolymers continues to introduce persistent substances to the environment.