___________________________________________________________________
Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)
Production and Use: Past and Current
Evidence
_____________________________________________________________
Prepared for UNIDO
Dorian Carloni
Research Fellow
UNIDO Regional Office in China
E-mail: [email protected]
December 2009
1
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. PFOS Production
2.1 3M’s Production
2.2 European Union (EU) countries
2.3 #on-EU European countries
2.4 #orth America
2.5 Latin America
2.6 Asia
2.7 Oceania
2.8 Africa
3. PFOS Use
3.1 European Union (EU) Countries
3.2 #on-EU European Countries
3.3 #orth America
3.4 Latin America
3.5 Asia
3.6 Oceania
3.7 Africa
4. PFOS Imports/Exports
5. Patterns in PFOS Production and Use
5.1 PFOS Cumulative Production and Use by Country from 2003 to 2008
5.2 Essential Uses
5.2.1 Legislation
5.2.2 Main Producers and Users by Sector (Essential Uses)
5.2.3 Evidence from the United #ations Data
5.3 Problems
6. Conclusions
References
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Appendix 5
3
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7
8
8
8
9
9
10
10
18
20
21
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22
23
25
27
27
29
30
31
33
36
36
37
39
48
50
52
55
2
1. Introduction
Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) is a fully fluorinated anion used as a surface active agent in a
wide range of applications. For example it is used on the surface of paper and paperboard as a
water and oil repellant, and on the surface of metals (mostly chromium) to provide chemical
stability. PFOS can be formed by degradation from a large group of related substances, referred to
as PFOS related substances, and is a member of a larger family of perflouroalkyl sulfonate (PFAS).
In May of 2009 PFOS was added to the Annex B of the Stockholm Convention and classified as a
Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP). This decision was the result of a decade of research and
analyses accompanied by increasing concerns about its toxicity.
The first actions against PFOS production and use were taken in the United States in the end of the
1990s. 3M, a US company and the major global producer of PFOS until 2003, received increasing
pressure from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the last years of the ‘90s, and the
accumulating evidence of the toxicity of PFOS pushed 3M to announce on May 16, 2000 that it
would begin to phase out PFOS production. After this decision, several other OECD countries
began working together to further research the effects of PFOS. The meeting of the Task Force on
Existing Chemicals on May 29-30, 2000 produced a Hazard Assessment on PFOS, and PFOS was
officially recognized to be a concern for both human and environmental health.
In the following years, an increasing number of documents were published on PFOS production
and its uses. While some came from national Environmental Protection Agencies and national
Chemical Registers, others were cross-country studies carried out by international institutions such
as the OECD.
This paper intends to collect all of the publicly available information on PFOS production and its
uses. It is aimed at showing patterns in these areas, both by country and by sector of use, in order to
present a complete and clear picture from the multiple studies that have been published on PFOS.
2. PFOS Production
2.1 3M’s Production
Available information indicates that 3M was the main producer of PFOS and its related substances
until 2003, and that the production before 2003 was mostly for surface treatment1 and for paper
protection. Paul et al. (2009)2 report that 3M started its production of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) in
1949, and that the production increased over time. This includes Perfluorooctane Sulfonate
Flouride (POSF), a precursor of PFOS, whose production both at 3M and globally grew
significantly from 1966 to 1990, peaking between 1990 and 2000. Figure 1 below shows the global
POSF production in 1970-2002 according to the estimates of different authors: Paul et al. (green
line: global production; purple line: 3M’s production) , Smithwick et al. (red line) and Prevedouros
et al. (blue line). Despite their differences, all estimates clearly indicate that the peak in POSF
production was reached in the end of the 90s.
1
i.e. for the protection of apparel and leather, for fabric/upholstery and for carpets.
Paul, A.G., Jones, K.C., Sweetman, A.J. (2009). A first global production, emission, and environmental inventory for
perfluorooctane sulfonate. Environmental Science and Technology 43, 386-392
2
3
Figure 1 – Estimated total global POSF production volumes (1970-2002)
Source: Paul, A.G., Jones, K.C., Sweetman, A.J. (2009). A first global production, emission, and environmental
inventory for perfluorooctane sulfonate. Environmental Science and Technology 43, 386-392.
In addition, the data in Figure 2, provided by 3M, confirm that large quantities of POSF were
produced by the company between 1984 and 2000:
Figure 2 – 3M POSF production after 1984
3M historical POSF production
4000
3500
Production (tons)
3000
2500
3M
2000
1500
1000
500
0
1984-1989 1990-1994 1995-1999
1999
2000
2001
2002
Year
Source: 3M (converting 1 kg=2.2 pounds)
4
Thirdly, Tables 1 and 2 include data from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
the OECD (2002) and show that almost a half of 3M’s total PFOS production was for surface
treatment applications. About 2160 metric tons, corresponding to 48% of total PFOS production,
were used for soil, oil and water resistance on apparel and leather, fabric/upholstery and carpets.
Table 1 – Application areas
Application area
Surface treatment
Paper protection
Performance chemicals
Fire fighting foams
Former global 3M production of PFOS, 2000 (in percent)
48
33
15
3
Source: Danish Ministry of the Environment, EPA (2005). More environmentally friendly alternatives to PFOScompounds and PFOA. Environmental Project No. 1013.
Table 2 - Global Production of PFOS related chemicals in 2000 (based on data from 3M)
Application Category
Surface treatment applications
Paper protection applications
Performance chemical applications
Production (metric tonnes)
2,160
1,490
891 (of which 151 in fire fighting foams)
Source: OECD (2002). Cooperation on existing chemicals, Hazard assessment of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)
and its salts, ENV/JM/RD(2002)17/FINAL.
The tables also show that the second most important use, after surface treatment, was paper
protection. In the paper and paperboard industries PFOS was used as a grease, oil and water
repellent, and served both in food and non-food applications. About 1490 metric tons (33% of the
total) were produced for paper protection applications in 2000.
The third and final category of use was performance chemicals, including mining and oil well
surfactants, acid mist suppressants for metal plating and electronic etching baths, photolithography,
electronic chemicals, hydraulic fluid additives, alkaline cleaners, floor polishes, photographic film,
denture cleaners, shampoos, chemical intermediates, coating additives, carpet spot cleaners, and as
an insecticide in bait stations. About 891 metric tons of PFOS (18% of the total) were produced for
these applications in 2000.
2.2 European Union (EU) Countries
The OECD’s “Results of survey on production and use of PFOS, PFAS and PFOA, related
substances and products/mixtures containing these substances”(2005)3 is the most comprehensive
source available on the production of PFOS and PFOS related substances. It can be summarized as
follows:
- EU: combined manufactured and imported quantity from 1996 to 2003: <10000 tons (10
chemicals, each <1000 tons);
- Belgium: combined manufactured and imported quantity for photographic industry in 2000:
5 tons4;
- Germany: manufactured quantity for mist suppressants in electroplating industry and
surfactant in photographic processing solutions in 2003: 10-30 tons;
3
OECD (2005)“Results of survey on production and use of PFOS, PFAS and PFOA, related substances and
products/mixtures containing these substances”, ENV/JM/MONO(2005)1.
4
For Belgium all PFOS, PFAS and PFOA related substances are pooled.
5
-
Italy: manufactured quantity in 2003: <22 tons (<20 tons as chemical intermediate, <2 tons
as acid mist suppressant);
Cyprus, Finland, Poland, Sweden and the UK: no production of PFOS and PFOS related
substances in 2003;
Bulgaria: some production in 2002, but specific data are not available.
Besides the document by the OECD, other sources supply information about EU countries:
- Germany: according to the Annex F information submitted by Germany to the Persistent
Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) on the 7th of February, 20075, Germany
did not produce PFOS in 2007;
- the UK: a document by the RPA & BRE (2004) argues that “with regard to the UK, it is
accepted that no production of PFOS related substances have taken place in the UK, at
least in volumes allowing commercial marketing of such substances”6;
- Czech Republic: according to the Annex F information submitted on the 6th of February,
2007, Czech Republic did not produce PFOS in 2007;
- Romania: according to the Annex F information submitted on the 29th of April, 2008, PFOS
was not produced in Romania in 2008.
Finally the aforementioned document by the RPA & BRE identifies some areas outside the UK
where PFOS was produced before 2004 and from which it was then imported to the UK:
- textile industry: a large number of UK suppliers of textile auxiliaries have manufacturing
plants in various parts of Europe, where most of the production takes place;
- metal plating: available information supports the idea that PFOS is not produced in the UK
but in the EU and by 3M, and that UK platers are predominantly served by UK suppliers of
imported chemical preparations containing PFOS;
- fire fighting foams: companies from the US, Japan and Israel have been indicated as
possible sources of PFOS-based fire fighting foams;
- coatings: the major market for this product is outside the EU (Asia and US);
- aviation hydraulic fluids: the majority of these fluids are manufactured outside Europe.
Table 3 is taken from the same document7 and lists producers that are relevant to the UK market:
Table 3 – Producers relevant to the UK market for PFOS related substances
Location Links to
other
companies
USA
Supplies
products to
UK
company
Italy
Supplies
products to
CAS
number (if
known)
307-35-7
4151-50-2
307-35-7
1691-99-2
Quantities
#otes
N/A
Also produces other PFCs. The company
essentially serves laboratories and
research and development divisions.
N/A
Active in following sectors:
-pharmaceutical
5
Annex F information submitted by countries can be downloaded on the Stockholm Convention website at:
http://chm.pops.int/Convention/POPsReviewCommittee/hrPOPRCMeetings/POPRC2/AnnexFinformationYear2007/ta
bid/466/language/en-US/Default.aspx
6
Risk & Policy Analysts Limited (RPA) in association with BRE Environment (2004). Perfluorooctane Sulphonate –
Risk reduction strategy and analysis of advantages and drawbacks. Final Report prepared for Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency for England and Wales.
7
See Table 2.18 of RPA&BRE (2004).
6
UK
company
2795-39-3
4151-50-2
29457-72-5
30381-98-7
Germany Appears to
supply
products to
UK
company
Germany Supplies
chemicals
to several
UK
companies
-
N/A
56773-42-3
>100 kg/y
Japan
-
N/A
Supplies
chemicals
to several
UK
companies
-agrochemicals (insecticides)
-performance chemicals (AFFFs, Cr
plating)
Pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals
account for more than 75% of production.
The company has emphasized that they
are active only in the production of
intermediates. Greatest market for
products in Europe (this including Italy
accounts for more than 50% of total
sales).
Small company that produces PFOS
related substances; these are used by the
semiconductor industry (the relevant data
have been incorporated in the submission
by SEMI)
Supplies PFOS related substance(s) to at
least one UK formulator of mist
suppressants; product information
suggests possible downstream uses:
-chromium electroplating
-wetting and flow control agent for
coating photographic paper and film
-antistatic agent for photographic paper
and film
-wetting agent for etching and
opacification baths
-wetting agent for acid baths for metal
surface treatment, e.g. anodizing baths
and chromatising baths
Appears to be active in the textiles
auxiliaries sector and photographic sector
Source: RPA&BRE (2004)
2.3 #on-EU European Countries
-
-
-
Norway: according to the OECD (2005), Norway has not manufactured any PFOS or PFOS
related substance in 2003. Annex F information submitted by Norway to the POPRC on the
27th of January, 2006 also reports no production of PFOS nor of its salts;
Switzerland: according to the Annex F information submitted to the POPRC on the 6th of
February, 2007, PFOS was not produced in Switzerland in 2006. The OECD (2005) adds
that no production of PFOS and its related substances was reported in Switzerland in 2003;
Monaco: according to the Annex F information submitted recently, PFOS is not produced
by Monaco.
7
2.4 #orth America
The OECD report “Results of survey on production and use of PFOS, PFAS and PFOA, related
substances and products/mixtures containing these substances” (2005) shows that neither the US
nor Canada produced any PFOS and PFOS related substances in 2003.
Information is also available from other sources:
- US: the Annex F information submitted by the US on the 9th of February, 2007 reports that
the production of PFOS and PFOS related chemicals in the US ceased in 2002 (essentially
after 3M had completely phased out its PFOS production);
- Canada: a survey published by the Canadian Environmental Protection Agency8 that
targeted manufacturers, exporters and importers of PFOS in amounts exceeding 100 kg with
concentration higher than 10g/kg, shows that there were no manufacturers of PFOS and its
related substances in 2004.
2.5 Latin America
The only Latin American country for which there is positive information on PFOS production is
Brazil. Based on the Annex E information submitted by Brazil on the 27th of January, 2006, the
PFOS-related lithium perfluorooctane sulfonate was produced in Brazil in 2006, although no data
are available on production levels.
In addition, the Annex F information published on the 2nd of February, 2007 reports that the
estimated Brazilian production of sulfuramid, an insecticide containing PFOS, was around 30 tons
per year.
On the other hand, Chili and the Dominican Republic report in the Annex F information submitted
to the POPRC that PFOS and its related substances were not identified or registered in their country.
2.6 Asia
Information on PFOS production in Asia comes from China and Japan:
- China: the Chinese Ministry of Environment9 maintains that China started large scale
production of PFOS in 2003 and that before 2004 total PFOS production was less than 50
tons per year. Since 2005 China’s annual output has grown rapidly due to the increase of the
applications of PFOS and overseas demand. In 2006, 15 Chinese enterprises produced more
than 200 tons of PFOSF, about 100 tons of which were exported to Brazil, the EU and
Japan. Production by industry is difficult to estimate, but use by industry can be taken as a
good indicator of the amount of PFOS produced, as shown later in this document;
- Japan: the OECD (2005) reports that Japan was manufacturing less than 100 tons of PFOS
and PFOS related substances for semiconductors and other uses in 2003.
The Annex F information submitted by Japan to the POPRC on the 9th of February, 2007
explains that surface treatment materials used in the metal plating industry are produced and
sold by around ten companies in Japan. In addition, Japanese companies play a major role
in photomask production, and have more than a 50% share of the worldwide market (50 kg
produced and used in Japan). Some production is also reported in the fire fighting foams
industry. Considering the information that has been submitted by one manufacturer on its
8
Canada Gazette (2006). Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and its Salts and Certain Other Compounds Regulations,
Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement, Vol. 140, No. 50, December 16, 2006.
9
Ministry of Environmental Protection of China (2008). Additional information on production and use of PFOS.
8
sales between 1981 and 2005, it is estimated that the total amount of PFOS in the market for
fire fighting foams is less than 200 tons. However, there is no data on annual production.
2.7 Oceania
-
-
Australia: data published by the OECD (2005) show that in 2003 Australia did not
manufacture any PFOS and PFOS related substances.
The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment (NICNAS) Alert No. 5
from the Australia Government10 reports that PFOS and PFAS related chemicals were not
manufactured in Australia in 2004 and 2005.
NICNAS Alert No. 811 affirms that there was not any production of PFOS or PFOS related
chemicals in Australia in 2006 and 2007.
New Zealand: according to the OECD (2005) New Zealand did not manufacture any PFOS
or PFOS related substances in 2003.
2.8 Africa
-
Algeria: no data on PFOS production is contained in the information submitted by Algeria
to the POPRC on the 11th of January, 2007.
Congo: according to the OECD (2005), PFOS and its related substances were not identified
or registered in Congo in 2003.
Zambia: the Annex F information submitted by Zambia to the POPRC on the 31st of
January, 2007 reports that there is no data on either current or historical PFOS production in
Zambia.
10
Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing (2007). 0IC0AS 0o.5, Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
and Perfluoroalkyl sulfonate (PFAS), February 2007.
11
Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing (2008). 0IC0AS 0o.8, Perfluorooctane Sulfonate
(PFOS) and Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonate (PFAS), December 2008.
9
3 PFOS Use
3.1 European Union (EU) Countries
Table 4 below, including data from the Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks
(SCHER)12 and from Brooke et al.13, shows that the main uses of PFOS in the EU in 2000 were for
fabric and paper treatment:
Table 4 – EU uses of PFOS related substances in 2000
Use area
Quanti Substance Percentage of #otes
ty (t/y) type
total use (%)
Fabric treatment
240
polymer 41.7
From UK estimate of 48 tonnes, assuming UK
is 20% of EU
Paper treatment
160
substance 31.8
From UK estimate of 32 tonnes, assuming UK
is 20% of EU
Coatings
90
substance 17.9
From UK estimate of 18 tonnes, assuming UK
is 20% of EU
Chromium plating 10
acid
0.02
Estimate from German company
Photography
0.85
acid
0.002
EPCI estimate, production of film
0.75
polymers
EPCI estimate, use of film
Photolithography 0.47
substance 0.001
ESIA/SEMI estimate
Aviation (h. fluids) 0.73
acid
0.001
One third of world use estimate
Fire fighting foams 0.57
acid
0.001
From UK estimate of foam use
The SCHER also adds that the “use of PFOS and PFOS related substances in consumers’
applications such as carpets, leather/apparel, textiles/upholstery, paper and packaging, coatings,
industrial and PFOS household cleaning products, pesticides and insecticides has been largely
abandoned following the announcement of the main global producer (3M) to voluntarily phase out
manufacture and use of PFOS consumer applications.” It illustrates this point by listing PFOS
“ongoing uses” in the EU in 2004, shown in Table 5.
Table 5 - Ongoing industrial/professional usage of PFOS and PFOS-related substances
Metal (chromium) plating
Fire fighting foams
Photographic industry
Semiconductor industry
Aviation industry
8,600-10,000 kg/year
Estimated quantity held in current stock: 122 tons
Approximately 850 kg PFOS-related substances/year
436 kg/year
Hydraulic fluids; approximately 730 kg/year
Clearly, applications of PFOS no longer included surface treatment and paper protection. Instead,
the main application of PFOS in the EU in 2004 was in metal plating14.
12
Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) (2004) Opinion on RPA´s report
“Perfluorooctane Sulphonate Risk reduction strategy and analysis of advantages and drawbacks”, final report (table 1).
13
Brooke D., A.Footitt, T.A.Nwaogu (2004) Environmental risk evaluation report: Perfluorooctanesulphonate (PFOS),
Building Research Establishment Ltd Risk and Policy Analysts Ltd (figure 2.2).
10
For further insight into the situation, we can consider PFOS use by individual country:
-
Germany: the Annex F information submitted by Germany to the POPRC on the 7th of
February, 2007 indicates the following uses at that time:
- fire fighting foams
- photographic industry
- photolithography and semiconductors
- hydraulic fluids
- metal plating
It then lists as historically (before 2006) dominating uses:
- textiles
- apparels
- home furnishing and upholstery
- carpet and leather products
Furthermore the OECD (2005) reports that Germany manufactured products/mixtures
containing PFOS and its related substances in 2003:
- electroplating industry: 20-60 tons (50% concentration)
- fire fighting foams: <2 tons (12 % concentration)
- photolithography: 0.1 tons (2.6% concentration)
Considering PFOS concentration in such products, it can be estimated that up to 30.24 tons
of PFOS and its related substances were used in Germany in 2003.
-
Sweden : the Swedish Chemicals Agency15 (KemI) published data on manufacturing and
imports of PFOS/PFAS for Sweden from 1999 to 2004 using the information collected in
the Swedish products register16, as shown in Figure 3. It demonstrates that the overall
quantity of PFOS/PFAS in manufactured/imported products went from 23 tons in 2000 to
0.684 tons in 2004, and that the amount of PFOS/PFAS used in the textile industry, the
traditionally dominant sector of use in Sweden, decreased substantially as well (Figure 4).
Figure 3 – Quantities of PFCA, PFOS/PFAS in Swedish products register 1999-2004
14
122 tons of PFOS are estimated in stocked fire fighting foams, but the foams are only for emergency use. PFOS was
therefore used in a much smaller quantity for such application.
15
Swedish Chemicals Agency (KemI) (2006). Perfluorinated substances and their uses in Sweden, Report No. 7/06.
16
All companies that manufacture or import a chemical product to Sweden must register the product at the products
register kept by KemI. This holds for chemical products over 100 kg, and for all substances contained in the product
with a concentration higher than five per cent.
11
Figure 4 – Textile goods manufacturing
Although PFOS/PFAS use in the textile industry decreased significantly in Sweden by 2004,
according to the KemI it was still one of the main uses of PFOS in Sweden. KemI’s list includes the
following PFOS uses:
- textiles
- metal coatings
- cleaning agents
- printing inks
- developers (semiconductor industry)
- leather tanning
- flooring materials
- paints and varnishes
About the remaining areas of use:
- paper industry: PFOS related compounds have not been used in Sweden since 1999;
- fire fighting foams:
- telomer sulphonates have replaced PFOS in fire fighting foams;
- there may still exist stocks of foam containing PFOS with end-users, but
manufacturers do of fire fighting foams no longer use PFOS;
- there is probably no foam containing PFOS left at the fire prevention
services, since they generally do not keep large stocks;
- estimation is that current figures are probably the same as in 2003
concerning quantities of foam in stock at different end-users. At that time it
was calculated that approximately 1000 m3 of concentrated extinguisher
foam was stored in Sweden;
- other: PFOS have a minor use in pesticides, products for graphics processing, and
floor paints, but PFOS use in such products might well be hidden because of very
low concentrations (therefore there was no need to register the product at KemI).
A document published by the Danish Environmental Agency in 200517 gives additional
information on the percentage of total PFOS use in each sector in 2002 (percent calculations
are based on data from the Swedish Product Register):
- 28% of the total PFOS related substances were used as impregnating agents
for textiles and leather, but this ended by 2004;
- 6% was used within cleaning agents and floor polishing products;
17
Danish Ministry of the Environment, EPA (2005). More environmentally friendly alternatives to PFOS-compounds
and PFOA. Environmental Project No. 1013.
12
-
an unspecified but large amount of PFOS was used within the paint and
varnish industry, but in 2004 there was no more such use;
- about 3% was used for metal surface treatment.
Finally, the OECD (2005) reports that in 2003:
- 36.3 tons of galvano-technical agents and raw materials containing PFOS and its
related substances were manufactured/imported to Sweden (0.001-50%
concentration)
- 622 tons of wax and other polishing preparation cleaning agents containing PFOS
and its related substances were manufactured/imported to Sweden (0.002-0.24%
concentration).
Considering PFOS concentration in such products, it can be estimated that up to 19.64 tons
of PFOS and its related substances were used in Sweden in 2003.
-
The Netherlands: a study carried out in January 2002 by the University of Amsterdam’s
Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) outlines the consumption of
PFAS by sector in the Netherlands18, as shown in Table 6. It demonstrates that in 2002 the
main use was for paper and board protection, followed by leather protection and carpet
protection.
Table 6 – Markets for PFAS in the 5etherlands (estimates for 2002)
Source: RPA&BRE (2004)
Denmark: the RPA & BRE (2004) reports that, according to a study held by the Danish
EPA in 2001-2002, the most common uses of PFOS related substances in Denmark were in:
- impregnation agents for textiles, leather and paper;
- wax and other polishes;
- paint, varnish and reprographic agents;
- cleaning products;
- flame retardants;
- mould release agents
18
Risk & Policy Analysts Limited (RPA) in association with BRE Environment (2004). Perfluorooctane Sulphonate –
Risk reduction strategy and analysis of advantages and drawbacks. Final Report prepared for Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency for England and Wales (paragraph 2.2.3)
13
It also adds that the total estimated Danish consumption (registered and non-registered) may
have been as high as 50 tons per year (and as low as 5 tons per year).
This information is confirmed by the document published by the Danish Environmental
Agency in March 200519, which shows the uses of PFOS and PFOS-related substances in
Denmark in 2000. The table below summarizes the results of a study carried out in 2001
and based on the Danish Product Register of 200020:
Table 7 – PFOS use in Denmark
19
Danish Ministry of the Environment, EPA (2005). More environmentally friendly alternatives to PFOS-compounds
and PFOA. Environmental Project No. 1013.
20
The Danish Product Register does not take into account imported products and products with a content of PFOSrelated substances that are not labelled as dangerous substances.
14
The same report also states that the most common uses of PFOS-based compounds in
Denmark in 2005 were in:
- cleaning agents for glass cleaning waxes and floor polishes
- photographic industry
- manufacturing of semiconductors
- metal surface treatment.
-
Belgium: as reported by the OECD (2005), in 2003:
- <50 tons of fire fighting forms containing PFOS and its related substances were
manufactured/imported to Belgium (18% concentration);
- <125 tons of molded goods containing PFOS and its related substances were
manufactured/imported to Belgium (0.5% concentration);
Considering PFOS concentration in such products, it can be estimated that up to 9.625
tons of PFOS and its related substances were used in Belgium in 2003.
- other uses of PFOS in Belgium in 2003 included:
- photographic industry
- electronics industry (semiconductors)
- aviation hydraulic fluids
-
United Kingdom: the main reference for the United Kingdom is the document published by
the RPA & BRE (2004), which argues that the main historical uses of PFOS related
substances in the UK (and in the EU) were for:
- carpets
- leather/apparel
- textiles/upholstery
- paper and packaging
- coatings and coating additives
- industrial and household cleaning products
- pesticides and insecticides
This information is demonstrated in Table 8. The table also shows that before 2000 the UK
market was consuming over 100 tons of PFOS related substances each year, the majority of
which were used for the protection of paper and packaging, and the protection of carpets.
The least common uses were as chemical intermediates and as surfactants for baths used in
the electrical and electronics industries.
Table 8 - Summary Data on Applications of PFOS Related Substances Imported in the
UK Prior to 2000
Application
Type
Paper &
packaging
Carpet
Protection
Coatings
(additives)
Apparel and
leather
protection
Percentage of
Total Number
of Products
7%
Percentage of all
CAS Nos. Available
in the Market
9%
PFOS
Tonnage
Range
>25 t/y
Approximate
Percentage of Total
PFOS Imports
32%
10%
13%
>25 t/y
23%
17%
30%
>10 t/y
18%
25%
37%
>10 t/y
15%
15
10%
22%
Fabric &
upholstery
Protection
Fire Fighting 18%
7%
Foams
2%
Additives for 2%
household
products
Chemical
7%
15%
intermediates
E&E* bath
5%
7%
surfactants
TOTAL
100%
N/A
Source: RPA&BRE (2004) (table 2.18)
*E&E: electroplating and etching
>10 t/y
10%
>1 t/y
1%
>1 t/y
1%
>1 t/y
1%
>1 t/y
<1%
100%
Table 9 shows the estimated demand of PFOS related substances in the UK in 2004.
Table 9 - Estimated Current Demand for PFOS Related Substances
Industry Sector
UK Use (kg/year)
Photographic industry
270
Photolithography and semi-conductors
94*
Hydraulic fluids
146*
Metal plating
500 to 2,500*
Storage for Emergency Use (note not annual usage)
UK Total Storage (kg)
Fire fighting foam storage for emergency use 24,434
*Assuming the UK represents 20% of the EU
Source: RPA&BRE (2004) (table 2.17)
We can also consider individual tables of data for each sector of use:
- metal plating: Table 9 shows the estimated demand for PFOS in metal plating
production was 500-2,500 kg/year. This upper bound is based on the assumption that
the UK market represents 20% of the EU market, whereas the lower bound is taken
from Table 10, which considers statistics from four UK companies.
Table 10 - Overview of Use of PFOS Related Substances in Mist Suppressants by UK
Suppliers (used by the chromium plating industry)
Company
Quantities
Used (t/y)
PFOS
Substances Used
(CAS No.)
56773-42-3
56773-42-3
56773-42-3
A
B
0.12
C
0.15
D
Totals
<0.5
Source: RPA&BRE (2004) (table 2.8)
Concentratio
n of PFOS
Substance(s)
5-7%
10%
50%
Quantity of
Suppressan
ts sold (t/y)
0.25
1.23
0.3
Origin
of
PFOS
EU
EU
3M
Shelflife (y)
2
2
1
UK
sales
trend
Stable
Stable
Stable
16
-
fire fighting foams: Table 11 shows the stocks of fire fighting foams containing
PFOS held in the UK in 2004. It concludes that 24.4 tons of PFOS related
substances were contained in existing stocks that year.
Table 11 - Estimates of Quantities and Use of Fire Fighting Foams in the UK
All Foams
Concentrates
(Litres)
986,350
PFOS based Foam
Concentrates
(Litres)
76,190
Estimated current
quantities in Fire
Authority (FA)
Inventories
2,959,040
2,367,220
Estimated current
Emergency stores
at industrial
complexes as part
of Mutual Aid
agreements
Total
3,945,390
2,443,420
*Based on relative density of 1 and 1% PFOS content.
Source: RPA&BRE (2004) (table 2.10)
-
Quantities of
PFOS-related*
Substances (kg)
762
23,672
24,434
photographic industry: Table 12 gives a breakdown of the information on the UK
photographic sector contained in Table 9, showing a total demand of PFOS as 270
kg per year.
Table 12 – Photographic sector in the UK
Source: RPA&BRE (2004)
Finally the OECD (2005) report confirms that PFOS was used in these same sectors in the
UK in 2003, namely:
- chromium plating (mist suppressants)
- photolithography and semiconductors
- aviation hydraulic fluids
- photographic industry
-
Finland: the OECD (2005) reports that the main PFOS uses in Finland in 2003 were in:
- metal plating
17
- photolithography and semiconductors
- aviation hydraulic fluids
However, it also states that no products/mixtures containing PFOS or its related
substances were produced in Finland in 2003. This paradox may simply be due to
companies not declaring that they used PFOS related substances in producing their
goods.
-
Italy, Slovenia, Poland and Cyprus reported no production of products/mixtures containing
PFOS and its related substances in 2003 (OECD).
-
Bulgaria: the OECD (2005) indicates that data are not available for Bulgaria in 2003.
3.2 #on-EU European Countries
-
Norway: a document available on the EFTA Surveillance Authority website21 illustrates the
main application areas of PFOS in Norway in 2005 and 2006:
- fire fighting foams: the largest application area of PFOS in Norway (more than 90%
of overall use), specifically in AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foams). Although fire
fighting foams containing PFOS are no longer sold in the market22, in 2005 the
Pollution Control Authority of Norway estimated that 57 tons of PFOS and its
related substances had been emitted from unmixed fire fighting foams (with 3%
concentration of PFOS) and that in the remaining fire fighting foams there were 22
tons of PFOS. In 2006 it was estimated that there were only 8 tons of PFOS
substances left in fire fighting foams.
Table 13 - Compilation of responses concerning remaining quantities and previous emissions of
fire fighting foam with PFOS content
Type of enterprise
Remaining quantity
of foam with PFOS
content,
litres
Quantity of PFOS
substances in
remaining foam, kg
Previous emissions of
PFOS substances,
kg
Offshore operators
122,845
2,550
54,000
Mobile rigs
12,500
330
500
Ships and ferries
23,000
300
100
Land-based petroleum
enterprises
154,300
2,180
2,300
Petrochemical and other
relevant industries
31,000
530
< 100
Tank farms
24,000
400
160
Airports
2,000
34
unkn.
Armed forces
90,000
1,500
unkn.
21
EFTA Surveillance Authority, Assessment of need for ban/use restrictions on PFOS (perfluorooctyl sulphonate) and
PFOS-related substances – Environmental Impact assessment.
22
It is also clearly stated that fire-fighting foam containing PFOS is neither produced in nor imported into Norway
anymore.
18
Fire-fighting training
sites
0
0
unkn.
Fire and rescue corps
1,000
13
unkn.
460,645
7,837
Min. 57,160
Total
Source: EFTA Surveillance Authority, Assessment of need for ban/use restrictions on PFOS (perfluorooctyl
sulphonate) and PFOS-related substances – Environmental Impact assessment.
Moreover, the Annex F information submitted by Norway to the POPRC on the 27th of
January, 2007 adds that the 57 tons of estimated emissions of PFOS substances are
uncertain and refer to the period between 1980 and 2003. It also points out that the
estimates of previous emissions for offshore platforms and mobile rigs are most reliable.
-
textiles and impregnation agents: in 2006 they contained a very small amount of
PFOS and PFOS related substances, although in the past this quantity was larger.
metal plating: PFOS was used in metal plating as mist suppressants for chromium
plating. It is estimated that PFOS use in metal plating in Norway was 3-5 litres per
year.
Finally, while the above information indicates the existence of stocks of fire fighting foam,
the OECD (2005) records no product ion of substances containing PFOS or its related
substances in Norway in 2003.
-
Switzerland: some information is provided by the Annex F submitted to the POPRC on the
6th of February, 2007. It is estimated that before 3M stopped its production in 2001 the use
of PFOS and PFOS precursors was 15 tons per year23 (5 tons for textile, carpet and leather
industries), and that its use in 200424 was only 1 ton.
Data from the OECD (2005), however, shows a much different conclusion. As Table 14
demonstrates, the OECD puts the use of PFOS in 2000 at only 0.23 tons:
Table 14 – Switzerland
Source: OECD(2005)
23
Morf L. (2004). Substance flow analysis for perfluorinated chemicals, for the Federal Office for the Environment,
Bern, Switzerland.
24
In an optimistic scenario assuming a 100% reduction except for fire fighting foams (use of stocks) and coating
products.
19
3.3 #orth America
-
US: the Annex F information submitted by the US to the POPRC on the 9th of February,
2007 explains that, although usage volumes are not available, the only possible uses
continuing within the US are25:
- in aviation hydraulic fluids;
- as a component of a photoresist substance, including a photo acid generator or
surfactant, or as a component of an anti-reflective coating, used in a
photomicrolithography process to produce semiconductors or similar components of
electronic or other miniaturized devices;
- in coatings for surface tension, static discharge, and adhesion control for analog and
digital imaging films, papers, and printing plates, or as a surfactant in mixtures used
to process imaging films;
- as an intermediate only to produce other chemical substances to be used solely for
these uses.
In the same document it is also stated that the regulation of the use of PFOS and PFOS
related substances caused a large decrease in the volume of these chemicals produced
and/or used in the US, from approximately 2.9 million kg in 2000 to less than 7,983 kg in
2006.
Additionally, the OECD (2005) reports no manufacturing of products/mixtures containing
PFOS and its related substances in 2003.
-
Canada: according to the CEPA Environmental Registry26 in the period 1997-2000 the
primary uses of PFOS and PFOS related substances were as:
- grease repellents for fabric, leather, packaging and rugs and carpets;
- additives in fire fighting foams, aviation hydraulic fluids, photographic
photofinishing, paints and coatings27.
But after 3M phased out its PFOS production in 2003, imports to Canada of PFOS related
substances virtually ceased (historically the United States and the EU represented the major
source of Canadian imports).
A survey28 published by the CEPA in January 2005 shows that:
- there were no exporters and manufacturers of PFOS related substances in Canada;
- only 3 tons of PFOS were imported to Canada in 2004 for the electroplating sector;
- although there was no production of PFOS in 2006, there were still approximately 3
tons of PFOS contained in fire fighting foams (AFFF) stocks29, which could
potentially be used and generate PFOS emissions.
25
Other uses have been prohibited by the U.S. EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Significant New Use Rule
(SNUR) regulations.
26
CEPA Environmental Registry (2006). Proposed Risk Management Strategy for Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS),
Its Salts and Its Precursors.
27
In a document published by Sweden (“Exploration of management options for PFOS”) it is reported that the majority
of PFOS imported into Canada was used in applications involving packaging (56%), rugs and carpets (20%), fire
fighting foams (10%), paint and coating additives (8%), chemical formulation, (3%) and water, oil, soil and grease
repellents for fabrics (1%). Small quantities of PFOS were also used in the photographic/photofinishing and
semiconductor sector.
28
Companies were asked to report manufactured, imported or exported quantities of PFOS “alone, in a mixture or in a
product, and in a concentration greater than 10 grams per kilogram in a mixture or in a product", and only when the
overall quantity of the substance was more than 100 kg.
29
Mostly stocked in Canadian airports, military installations and industrial facilities.
20
A document published on the Canada Gazette30 elaborates on the results of the survey:
- PFOS are mostly used in metal plating (in particular chromium electroplating,
anodizing and reverse etching), and there are approximately 219 users of this
substance in the sector31;
- fire fighting foams containing PFOS (AFFF) are still used in Canada;
- there is concern about imports of manufactured items that are produced in
developing Asian countries, which may contain PFOS and PFOS related substances.
3.4 Latin America
-
Brazil: PFOS and PFOS related substances in Brazil are mostly used in pesticides. The main
use is in sulfuramid, which was introduced in Brazil in 1993, and serves as an active
ingredient in the manufacturing of ant baits for the control of leaf-cutting ants.
The Annex E information submitted by Brazil records the consumption of 20.58 tons of
sulfuramid in 2004.
The information reported in the Annex F submitted by Brazil to the POPRC in 2007 records
about 30 tons/year of sulfuramid used in the manufacturing of ant baits. It is however
difficult to estimate how much PFOS was used.
-
Chili: according to the OECD Survey (2005) PFOS and PFOS related substances have not
been identified or registered in Chili.
-
Dominican Republic: according to the OECD Survey (2005) PFOS and PFOS related
substances have not been identified or registered in the Dominican Republic.
3.5 Asia
-
China: according to the information on PFOS production and use submitted by the Ministry
of Environmental Protection of China, PFOS was used in several industries in China in
2008:
- textiles: more than 10,000 tons of fluorine containing textile finishing agents
imported in China each year for the treatment of high quality clothing;
- pesticides: 3 tons of PFOS used each year by 3 companies producing sulfuramid;
- fire fighting foams: PFOS consumption is >100 tons per year (50 companies);
- semiconductors (IC industry): 0.03-0.04 tons per year (mainly imported);
- metal plating: about 25 tons of PFOS containing chromium fog inhibitor used each
year in chrome plating industry;
PFOS is also likely to be used in the following industries for which we do not have data on
production and use, and that need further investigation:
-
oil exploitation: mainly used in chemical driven oil production of the old oil field
cleaning products (solvent application)
leather
photographic industry
aviation hydraulic fluids
30
Canada Gazette (2006). Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and its Salts and Certain Other Compounds Regulations,
Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement, Vol. 140, No. 50, December 16, 2006.
31
They are located in British Columbia (29), the Prairie Provinces (43), Ontario (91), Quebec (48), and Atlantic
Canada (8).
21
-
photoelectricity
nanophase materials
medical appliance
printing ink
paper making
According to the research currently in progress at UNIDO, it seems that China no longer
uses PFOS in paper making, and that organic silicon is an alternative used for paper
protection.
-
Japan: the information of the Annex F submitted by Japan to the POPRC on the 9th of
February, 2007 indicates that the main uses of PFOS and its related substances in Japan
were:
- semiconductors: PFOS consumption in the semiconductor industry has decreased
substantially from 2003 to 2005: 2.9 tons in 2003 (1 ton critical use32, 1.9 ton noncritical use), 2.7 tons in 2004 (1 ton critical use, 1.7 ton non-critical use), 1.2 tons
(almost all critical use) in 2005;
- metal plating: the total amount of PFOS use (PFOS detergent is diluted around 0.010.0001%) is estimated to be 2-3 tons per year. About 1000 companies use these
surface treatment materials, half of which are in the plating industry, but only 10
companies are producers;
- chrome masks for LCDs: amount of PFOS use in Japan is estimated to be around 50
kg per year (50% of world use, 100 kg);
- photographic industry: 3.6 tons of PFOS were used in 2004;
- fire fighting foams: total amount of PFOS in the market estimated to be <200 tons.
The OECD (2005) additionally reports that Japan used PFOS and its related substances
in 2003 while manufacturing products/mixtures. The exact amount of PFOS used,
however, is unknown.
3.5 Oceania
For both Australia and New Zealand the OECD (2005) reports no manufacturing of
products/mixtures containing PFOS and its related substances in 2003. Other sources give the
following information for these two countries:
-
Australia:
- NICNAS Alert No.133: the first of four alerts published by the Australian
government on PFOS. It was published in 2000 and reported that PFOS had been
used in fire fighting foams (AFFF and ATC) in the Scotchgard™ brand of products
and was still being used as textiles and leather protecting agents of the same brand.
It added that the use of PFOS for textiles protection would be phased out by
September 2002, for leather protection by March 2003 and for all other uses by
December 2003.
32
See definition of critical use on the Annex F submitted by Japan to the Persistent Pollutant Review Committee on the
9th of February 2007.
33
Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing (2001). 0IC0AS Alert 0o.1, Existing chemicals,
Perfluorooctanyl sulfonate (PFOS).
22
-
-
-
-
NICNAS Alert No.234: states that since 2000 there has been a rapid decrease in the
use of PFOS chemicals in Australia, especially thanks to the voluntary phase out
efforts carried out by Australian industries. The only two remaining uses were:
- in Class B fire-fighting foam
- in specialized industrial products used for processing rubber, and in the
production of paints and coatings
It also pointed out that these PFOS products would be phased out by December 2003.
NICNAS Alert No.5: it states that PFOS were no longer being used in leather
treatment in 2006, although a PFOS containing product was imported prior to 2003
and had been used in leather treatment in 2004 (47 kg) and 2005 (13 kg).
The only registered use of PFOS substances in 2006 in Australia is in fire fighting
foams: about 180,000 litres of Class B fire fighting foam products purchased before
2003 and containing 0.1-7% PFOS-related substances are stocked at some end-user
sites.
NICNAS Alert No.8: it reports that PFOS-based and related PFAS-based chemicals
continue to be restricted to only essential uses, i.e. if there are no suitable
alternatives available. Imports increased from 2006 to 2008, mostly for essential
uses such as mist suppressants in the metal plating industry (99%), aviation
(hydraulic fluid, 1%), photography and photolithography (surfactants, 0.002%).
PFOS stocks (approximately 7.8 tons) have instead decreased from 2005 (9.36 tons)
and are mostly used in the fire fighting foams industry (97%) and metal plating
industry (3%).
New Zealand: according to the OECD (2005) the main PFOS uses in New Zealand in 2003
were in:
- aviation hydraulic fluids
- photographic industry
- electronic applications
3.7 Africa
-
Algeria: a document published submitted by the Algerian Government to the POPRC35
records the main uses of PFOS in Algeria:
- fire fighting foams
- photolithography and semiconductors
- photographic industry
- hydraulic fluids
- metal plating
-
Congo: according to the OECD Survey (2005) PFOS and PFOS related substances have not
been identified or registered in Congo.
-
Zambia: according to the Annex F information submitted by Zambia to the POPRC on the
31st of January, 2007, PFOS is used in Zambia in:
- fire fighting foams
- photographic industry
34
Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing (2001). 0IC0AS Alert 0o.2, Perfluorooctane sulfonate
(PFOS), April 2003.
35
“Collecte des informations au titre des Annexes E et F de la Convention de Stockholm”, submitted on the 11th
January 2007.
23
-
photolithography and semiconductors
hydraulic fluids
metal plating
as a surface active agent
24
4
PFOS Imports/Exports
Data for imports and exports of PFOS and its related substances are very limited. However it is
useful to add these data to the analysis as imported quantities might be good indicators of amounts
of PFOS and related substances consumed within a country.
As it was shown previously, the OECD (2005) aggregates data for some countries on manufactured
and imported quantities of PFOS and its related substances. Since these data have already been
listed above in section 2 on PFOS production, they will not be listed again here. Instead, we will
focus here on those countries for which OECD has not pooled the imported and exported quantities.
A comprehensive table including all data on PFOS production, use, imports and exports can be
found in appendix 1 at the end of this report.
According to the OECD (2005), data on imports/exports of PFOS and its related substances show
the following:
- Germany: imports of intermediates for the production of PFOS related substances in
2003: 10-30 tons;
- Finland, Poland, Norway, Japan, Australia: no imports for 2003;
- Bulgaria: 63.666 tons imported in 2002, 62.75 tons imported in 2003;
- Switzerland: imports were registered for the photographic industry and for metal plating,
but no quantities are available;
- Italy, Canada: there were some imports in 2003, but no quantities are available;
- US: imports in 2000 for:
- paper packaging applications: 1213.955 tons
- textile, leather and carpet treatment: 1071.227 tons
- industrial surfactants, additives and coatings: 572.273 tons
- fire fighting foams: 92.5 tons
Data from sources besides the OECD show the following:
- Canada:
- CEPA Environmental Registry36: approximately 25837 tons of PFOS and its
precursors were imported into Canada during 1997-2000, with PFOS and its
precursors accounting for 43% of imported perfluorinated alkyl compounds38.
The same document also reports that imports of PFOS, its salts and its
precursors essentially ceased in 2002, after 3M phased out production of
PFOS.
This source also refers to a survey published by the Canadian Environmental
Protection Agency in January 2005 that targeted manufacturers, exporters
and importers of PFOS in amounts exceeding 100 kg with concentration
higher than 10 g/kg, and shows that:
1. approximately 3 tons of PFOS were imported to Canada in 2004
for use as a surfactant in the electroplating industry.
2. there were no exporters of PFOS and its related substances in
2004.
- Brazil:
- From the Annex E information submitted by Brazil to the POPRC on the 27th
of January, 2006:
36
CEPA Environmental Registry (2006). Proposed Risk Management Strategy for Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS),
Its Salts and Its Precursors.
37
43% of 600 tons imports of perfluorinated alkyl compounds imported to Canada in 1997-2000
38
It is specified that PFOS alone accounted for <2% of imported perfluorinated alkyl compounds, i.e <258*0.02=5.16
tons and that the most significant Canadian imports of PFOS itself were in the form of the potassium salt, used for firefighting foams.
25
-
-
-
Sulfuramid imports in 2005 amounted to 34 kg;
Sulfuramid exports in 2005 amounted to 690 kg of technical product and
54 tons of formulated product.
From the Annex F information submitted by Brazil to the POPRC on the 2nd
of February, 2007:
- In 2006, around 400 tons of ant baits (sulfluramid 0.3%) were
exported to 13 countries in South and Central America. Twelve tons
of sulfuramid were therefore exported.
Australia:
-
NICNAS Alert No. 5: no imports of PFOS and PFOS related substances
occurred in 2004 or 2005.
NICNAS Alert No. 8: imports of PFOS increased from 2006 to 2008, and it
was mainly for uses such as mist suppressants in the metal plating industry
(99%), aviation (hydraulic fluid,1%), photography and photolithography
(surfactants, 0.002%). Approximately 760 kg in 2006 and 1350 kg in 2007 of
PFOS both as technical grade and in products were imported into Australia.
26
5
Patterns in PFOS Production and Use
Using the above data, this analysis tries to identify patterns in global PFOS production and use
between 2003 and 2008. It does not include data on PFOS production and use before 2003 since we
know that 3M was responsible for most of the global PFOS production until 2003. In addition,
PFOS use was highly concentrated in a limited number of countries. After 2003 the situation
changed because 3M had completely phased out its PFOS production, and a larger number of
countries started to report data on PFOS production and use. With increased data, we can see that
some patterns in production and use of PFOS emerge.
In my research I relied on some “strong” but necessary assumptions:
1) When data are estimated in a range, the upper bound value is taken;
2) PFOS imported quantities are assumed to be for national consumption;
3) When the unit of measurement is tons/year and no time span is specified, the
quantity produced or used was considered for only one year;
4) PFOS is considered together with its related substances.
The first assumption is reasonable if we consider that global PFOS production and use is likely to
be under-reported, given that the data are released only on a voluntary basis. By taking the upper
bounds of PFOS production and use, we should get closer to the “real” (not reported) PFOS
production and use. This assumption is however a little more problematic while comparing
countries or sectors of use, because it exacerbates the difference between countries/sectors for
which there are data and those in which there was some PFOS production/use, but there are no data.
The second assumption is consistent with the conclusion of several reports on PFOS production and
use, which consider imported PFOS for national consumption. Its weakness is that it does not
consider that part of the imported PFOS might be re-exported.
The third assumption is also reasonable because, if we extended the quantity of PFOS
produced/used per year to an arbitrary number of years, the comparison between countries would
be even more distorted than it is already.
The fourth assumption is necessary because most of the sources report data on PFOS and its related
substances as a single entity. It would be very difficult to estimate PFOS production/use separately,
especially because it would be an additional estimation step on data that are themselves estimates.
Keeping these assumptions in mind, the analysis is divided into three steps:
1) Investigate the distribution of PFOS production and use between countries,
trying to illustrate the main differences between developed countries such as the
UK and developing countries such as China;
2) Focus on the so-called “essential uses” of PFOS, combined with information on
national legislation, UN data on goods production, and data on PFOS production
and use;
3) Show the main problems in the analysis and any issues that need to be further
addressed.
5.1 PFOS Cumulative Production and Use by Country from 2003 to 2008
Figure 5 below shows how different countries have contributed to the reported global PFOS
production and use in the period of 2003-2008. The overall estimate for the manufacturing of PFOS
27
in 2005 was up to 175 tons39. In addition, the consumption of all European Union countries in 2004
was estimated to be 12.23 tons40. This “aggregate” data is not included in the table because they
cover more than one country. The remaining country-specific data produce the following chart:
Figure 5 – PFOS cumulative production and use (2003-2008)
The first interesting point of this figure is the overwhelming role of China. In fact it was both the
main global producer and the main user of PFOS substances between 2003 and 2008. As shown
above in section 2, less than 50 tons of PFOS were produced in 2004, while over 200 tons of
PFOSF were produced in 2006. Additionally, given the data in section 3 on PFOS use in metal
plating, pesticides, semiconductors and fire fighting foams, and data in section 2 on PFOS
produced and not exported in 2006, China consumed around 200 tons of PFOS between 2003 and
2008.
Secondly, this chart shows that Germany and Japan were the leading producers and users of PFOS
among developed countries in the period of 2003-2008. As it will be shown in the second part of
the analysis, metal plating along with the photographic and the semiconductor industries largely
account for the high production and use of PFOS in these countries.
Thirdly, we see that Brazil is a rather large consumer of PFOS. As mentioned earlier, PFOS is a
component of sulfuramid, an insecticide that has been used in Brazil largely to combat leaf-cutting
ants. In the chart, data for Brazil is a measurement of the amount of sulfuramid produced and
consumed, since the concentration of PFOS in sulfuramid is unknown.
If we then include the “aggregate” data41 with the data by country, making sure data points do not
39
According to the OECD (2006) 74-175 tonnes of PFOS were manufactured/imported in 2005 in OECD countries.
As shown section 3.1.
41
Data from the OECD (2006) refer to pooled manufactured and imported PFOS in 2005. We can for example assume
an equal amount of PFOS in each category: 87.5 tons were manufactured, 87.5 tons were imported in 2005.
40
28
overlap, we get that the cumulative global reported use of PFOS in this six-year period is 504 tons.
Interestingly, the cumulative global reported production is very similar, at 519 tons. The small
discrepancy could be real, or it could be largely skewed by data availability.
5.2 Essential Uses
An important difference between developing countries and developed countries seems to be in the
number of sectors in which PFOS is currently used. China, for example, produces and uses PFOS
in a large range of applications, from textiles to fire fighting foams, from pesticides to metal plating,
from semiconductors to cleaning products.
Developed countries, on the other hand, have significantly reduced PFOS production and use. For
example, according to the information submitted to the POPRC by the International Imaging
Association, the European Photo and Imaging Association, and the Photo-sensitized Materials
Manufacturers Association, there has been a large decrease of PFOS used in the photo-imaging
industry between 2000 and 2004. The drop in PFOS use amounted to 60% worldwide and 70% in
the European Union (see Figure 6).
Figure 6 – PFOS use in the photo-imaging industry, 2000-2004
Source: Information in the Annex E submitted to the POPRC by the International Imaging Association, European
Photo and Imaging Association, and Photo-sensitized Materials Manufacturers Association
A change has occurred in developed countries in the last few years, as described by the Swedish
Chemicals Inspectorate while highlighting the current situation in the EU:
There are two main groups of uses of PFOS related substances. First, there are a number of uses which are in
process of being phased out or have been phased out. Secondly, there are uses for which it is more difficult to
find substitutes. The first category is dominated by consumer products and the second by industrial
intermediaries or industrial processes.
The category of uses where there is no current use or where use is in the process of being phased out consists of
carpets, leather, textiles, paper and packaging, coatings, cleaning products, fire fighting foam and
pesticides/insecticides. The uses that are difficult to substitute are metallic plating, some uses related to
photography, photolithography and semiconductors, and hydraulic fluids used in aviation.42
Recent legislation appears to reflect this idea, as PFOS use and production in developed countries
such as the EU countries, the US, Canada and Japan seem to be concentrated in only a few sectors.
42
Swedish Chemicals Inspectorate (2005). An Economic Impact Assessment of Regulation of PFOS in LRTAP.
29
As tighter legislation has been implemented, exemptions on PFOS production and use have been
granted for a limited number of sectors, and PFOS use has been allowed only for the so-called
“essential uses”, namely:
-
Metal plating
Photographic industry
Semiconductors and photolithography
Aviation Hydraulic fluids
Fire fighting foams (limited time exemption in the EU and Canada)
This legislation merits a closer look.
5.2.1
Legislation
The legislation that most developed countries have adopted in recent years is consistent with the
observed reduction in PFOS production and use. Sectors where PFOS use has been dominant in the
past, such as the textile and paper industries, have been highly regulated, and PFOS use and
production has continued only for a limited range of applications. The following are summaries for
each of the developed countries we are considering: the EU, the USA, Canada and Japan.
-
EU - Directive 2006/122/EC:
- PFOS and related substances are banned from 27 June 2008 as substances or
constituents of preparations in concentrations equal to or higher than 0.005%, in semifinished products and articles at a level of 0.1% except for textiles or coated materials in
which the restricted amount of PFOS will be 1 µg/m2.
- Exemptions for some PFOS uses, as well as for the substances and preparations needed
to produce them:
- photo-resist or anti-reflective coatings for photolithography processes,
- industrial photographic coating,
- mist suppressants for chromium plating and other electroplating applications,
- aviation hydraulic fluids;
- Stocks of PFOS-based fire-fighting foams supplied on or before the date 12 months
before the legislation comes into force may be used for a period of 54 months until 27
June 2011.
-
US - Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) (issued by the US EPA):
- SNURs in 2000 and 2002 on 88 PFOS substances which apply to new manufacture and
new uses of these substances: only three specific, technically essential, low volume, low
exposure, low release uses are allowed:
- photographic/imaging industry
- semiconductor industry
- aviation industry (hydraulic fluids)
PFOS can also be used as an intermediate to produce other chemical substances to be
used solely for the uses listed.
-
A final SNUR published in October 2007 for 183 additional perfluoroalkyl sulfonate
(PFAS) substances. The SNUR continues to apply the 4 excluded uses from the
previous SNURs and provides for two new exclusions for ongoing uses:
- seven PFOS related chemicals are allowed for use as etchant;
- one PFOS related chemical is allowed for metal plating and finishing uses
30
-
Canada - Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and Its Salts and Certain Other Compounds Regulations
(May 2008): production and use of PFOS and its salts is prohibited, but exemptions (some of
them are time-limited) include:
- Manufacture, use, sale and import of:
- products where PFOS is incidentally present;
- aviation hydraulic fluids;
- photoresists or anti-reflective coatings for photolithography;
- processes and photographic films, papers and printing plates;
- Use of AFFFs at a concentration 0.5 ppm or below;
- Products that were manufactured or imported before May 29, 2008;
- Use in laboratories, scientific research and laboratory analytical standards.
For five years following coming into force of Regulations exemptions for (until May 29, 2013):
- The use of AFFFs manufactured or imported before May 29, 2008 (but this AFFF may
not be used for training or testing purposes).
- The use, sale and import of PFOS-based fume suppressants used in:
- chromium electroplating,
- chromium anodizing and reverse etching,
- electroless nickel-polytetrafluoroethylene plating
- etching of plastic substrates prior to their metallization.
In January 2009, addition of PFOS and its Salts to the Virtual Elimination List under the
Canadian Environmental Protection Act CEPA43.
-
Japan - Regulation of production and use under the Chemical Substances Control Law:
- PFOS and PFOA: Type II Monitoring Chemicals.
- Suspected chemicals as hazardous to human health
- Manufacturers/Importers need to report their annual production/import volume
- When PFOS is added into Annex A or B of Stockholm Convention, PFOS will be
designated as Class I Specified Chemical:
- Its production or use will be prohibited except for essential uses44.
5.2.2
Main Producers and Users by Sector (Essential Uses)
This section considers only data for countries that reported some use in the photographic industry,
in metal plating, in semiconductors and photolithography and in aviation hydraulic fluids.
It does not include fire fighting foams because in most developed countries PFOS is not produced
any more for fire fighting foams, and fire fighting foam stocks containing PFOS are used only in
emergency cases. The results are shown in Table 15.
43
Gandia R., Monastesse L. (2009). International Workshop on Managing Perfluorinated Chemicals and
Transitioning to Safer Alternatives – Canada’s Activities on PFCs, Geneva, February 2009.
44
Yamakazi K. (2009). International Workshop on Managing Perfluorinated Chemicals and Transitioning to Safer
Alternatives - Current Regulatory Activities on PFCs in Japan,Geneva, February 2009.
31
Table 15 – Total consumption and production by sector of use (essential uses), 2003-2008
Industry
Total production, tons
(upper bound)
Total consumption, tons
(upper bound)
Photographic
4.6
3.0
Metal plating
63.3
32.0
Photolithography and
semiconductors
7.4
100.0*
Aviation hydraulic
fluids
0.7
n/a
* The OECD reports that in 2004 Japan produced less than <100 tons of PFOS and PFOS related substances for
semiconductors. The exact amount is difficult to determine.
This table shows two distinct conclusions. First, that metal plating was the dominant use of PFOS
among the four listed uses between 2003 and 2008. Secondly, there is a discrepancy between data
on production and data on use, with consumption data being higher in at least two out of four cases.
Table 16 gives further insight into PFOS production and use for “essential uses” by identifying the
countries that are the main consumers and producers:
Table 16 – Main producers and consumers by sector of use (essential uses), 2003-2008
Industry
Main consumers (2003-2008)
Main producers (2003-2008)
Photographic
Japan: 3.6 t in 2004
EU: 1 t in 2004
Germany: 3 t in 2003*
Metal plating
Germany: 30 t in 2003
China: 25 t in 2008**
Germany: 27 t in 2003*
Japan: 3 t in 2007
Photolithography and
semiconductors
Japan: 6.8 t from 2003 to 2005
EU: 0.5 t in 2004
Japan: <100 t in 2003
Australia: 0.0003 t in 2006-2007
Aviation hydraulic
fluids
EU: 0.73 t in 2004
UK: 0.146 t in 2004
No production reported
*PFOS production was reported to be 10-30 t for both photographic and metal plating industry in 2003: I assumed a
1:10 ratio, given that this ratio held in the EU in 2004.
**These data refer to PFOS containing chromium fog inhibitor used every year.
According to the data, Germany, Japan and China have been the most important countries in both
PFOS production and use in the period of 2003-2008. Clearly Germany has a dominant role
specifically in metal plating, while Japan is a main player in the photographic and the
semiconductor industries.
32
5.2.3
Evidence from the United #ations’ Data45
This section is aimed at enriching the analysis by including data from the UN database on the
production of goods in the photographic industry, the metal plating industry and in the
semiconductor industry46. The strategy was to consider all of the countries that reported some use
of PFOS between 2003 and 2008 in a specific sector, and then to look at those countries’
production in that given sector. In other words, this analysis should show how the value of the
goods produced in each sector was distributed between the countries who declared use of those
goods. The goal of this analysis is to find some correspondence between PFOS use and the UN data
on the production of goods, since evidence suggests that the main producers and users of PFOS in a
given sector are also those that produce the highest amount of goods in that same sector.
First we consider the photo-imaging industry. The Annex E information submitted to the POPRC
by International Imaging Association, the European Photo and Imaging Association, and the Photosensitized Materials Manufacturers Association, reports that the main users in this sector were the
US, Japan, the EU and China. If we combine this information with the information collected in
section 2 on PFOS use in the photographic industry, we see that the countries that reported some
PFOS use in the photographic industry in 2003-2008 were:
-
Germany
Sweden
Denmark
Belgium
UK
-
Switzerland
US
China
Japan
Australia
- New Zealand
- Algeria
- Zambia
Figure 7
Photographic plates, films and papers cumulative output value (USD) 20032006
United Kingdom
Sweden
Denmark
Germany
Japan
Source: Industrial Commodity Statistics Database, United Nations Statistics Division
Note: Data for China, the US, Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Algeria and Zambia were not available
for this series
45
46
UN data can be downloaded at data.un.org
Unfortunately, data on the production of aviation hydraulic fluids were not available.
33
Although UN data were missing for many countries, Figure 7 shows that especially Japan but also
Germany were large producers of photographic plates, films and papers compared to the EU
countries that used PFOS in the photographic industry between 2003 and 2008 . Interestingly,
Japan and Germany were also the most relevant countries while considering PFOS production and
use in the photographic industry (Table 16). Table 16 shows that Japan in this sector consumes 3.6
times the amount of PFOS consumed by the EU, and indeed the ratio in Figure 7 appears nearly 3:1.
Next we consider the metal plating industry. The countries that reported some PFOS use in the
metal plating industry between 2003 and 2008 were:
-
Germany
Sweden
Denmark
UK
Finland
-
Norway
Switzerland
Canada
China
Japan
- Australia
- Algeria
- Zambia
Using the data from INDSTAT, represented in Figure 8, it is clear that the United States, Germany
and Japan have produced the highest value of goods in the treatment and coating of metals.
Unfortunately there are no data on PFOS production and use for the US in 2003-2008, and no UN
data on the value of goods produced in China. However, it is interesting to see that Germany and
Japan, which are large PFOS producers and users, are at the same time large goods producers. It is
likely that if more data were available for the US and China, they would be support the same idea
that there is a positive correspondence between data on PFOS production/use and UN data on the
production of goods.
Figure 8
Treatment and coating of metals cumulative output value (USD) 2003-2005
Finland
Denmark
Australia
Sweden
Norway
United Kingdom
United States of
America
Japan
Germany
Source: INDSTAT, United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Note: Data for China, Canada, Switzerland, Algeria and Zambia were not available for this series
34
Thirdly we consider the semiconductor industry. The countries that reported some PFOS use in the
semiconductor industry between 2003 and 2008 are:
-
Germany
Sweden
Denmark
Belgium
UK
-
Finland
Switzerland
China
Japan
Australia
- New Zealand
- Algeria
- Zambia
Figure 9
Cumulative production of photosensitive semiconductor devices (millions USD)
(2003-2006)
United Kingdom
Denmark
1.53%
0.21%
Sweden
Finland
2.22%
0.04%
Germany
22.10%
Japan
73.90%
Source: Industrial Commodity Statistics Database, United Nations Statistics Division
Note: Data for Belgium, Switzerland, China, Australia, New Zealand, Algeria and Zambia were not available for this
series
Again, if we look at Figure 9, Japan and the EU countries are the main producers of goods of
photosensitive semiconductor devices, and they are also the main users and producers of PFOS in
the semiconductors industry (as also shown in table 16).
Finally we consider the aviation hydraulic fluids sector. The countries that reported some PFOS use
in the aviation hydraulic fluids between 2003 and 2008 are:
-
Germany
Belgium
UK
Finland
-
China
Australia
New Zealand
Algeria
- Zambia
35
However, no quantitative data on the production of PFOS and its related substances for aviation
hydraulic fluids was recorded between 2003 and 2008. Nor does the UN database supply
quantitative data for the production of goods in the aviation hydraulic fluid for this time period.
5.3 Problems
Some caution is needed while interpreting the results of this analysis, because evidence from the
data is limited and might be misleading in some cases. Let us consider those now.
Regarding data on PFOS production and use:
1) The analysis is based on a limited number of data, as PFOS use and production are not
available for all countries and all years. Therefore the data are not very robust. PFOS
production and use needs to be further documented in order to make more accurate
conclusions.
2) Under-reporting of information is likely in most of the countries, since information is
submitted voluntarily by countries and individual companies.
3) Data available are in most cases estimated, with interval estimates preferred to point
estimates.
Regarding UN data:
1) The analysis considers the value of the goods produced instead of the quantity produced.
This represents a problem if the value per unit produced is significantly different across
countries. The evidence above assumes that, since UN data come mostly from developed
countries, there are small differences in the value per unit.
2) UN data seem not to be available for developing countries as much as they are for
developed countries. This might result in misleading results.
6
Conclusion
The main goal of this analysis was to collect the publicly available information on PFOS use and
production. In doing so, we have also been able to draw several conclusions. First and foremost, it
is obvious that there was a significant drop in PFOS use and production after 2002. This is largely
due to strict legislation in developed countries. The new regulations also account for the
discrepancy between developed and developing countries—that is, while developing countries can
use PFOS in many sectors, developed countries are restricted only to essential uses. Indeed, we see
that China has an overwhelming majority both in PFOS production and use between 2003 and 2008,
although among developed countries Japan and Germany played large roles in this same time
period. Finally, we examined evidence suggesting a positive link between the amount of PFOS
used in a certain sector, and the value of the goods produced in that same sector.
However, we must not forget the problems listed above. Further data on both PFOS production and
use and on production of goods would have to be collected to make the findings more robust. It
would be important to fill in the information that is missing from certain countries and certain years,
especially in developing countries, where the empirical evidence is even more limited than in
developed countries. However, should new data become available, this analysis is a good first step
to be considered and built upon.
36
References
3M (2006). Annex E Information submitted to the POPRC, 27 January 2006.
Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing (2001). 0IC0AS Alert 0o.1, Existing
chemicals, Perfluorooctanyl sulfonate (PFOS).
Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing (2003). 0IC0AS Alert 0o.2,
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), April 2003.
Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing (2007). 0IC0AS 0o.5, Perfluorooctane
sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluoroalkyl sulfonate (PFAS), February 2007.
Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing (2008). 0IC0AS 0o.8, Perfluorooctane
Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluoroalkyl Sulfonate (PFAS), December 2008.
Brooke D., A.Footitt, T.A.Nwaogu (2004) Environmental risk evaluation report:
Perfluorooctanesulphonate (PFOS), Building Research Establishment Ltd Risk and Policy
Analysts Ltd.
Canada Gazette (2006). Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and its Salts and Certain Other Compounds
Regulations, Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement, Vol. 140, No. 50, December 16, 2006.
CEPA Environmental Registry (2006). Proposed Risk Management Strategy for Perfluorooctane
Sulfonate (PFOS), Its Salts and Its Precursors.
Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) (2004). Opinion on RPA´s report
“Perfluorooctane Sulphonate Risk reduction strategy and analysis of advantages and drawbacks”,
Final report.
Danish Ministry of the Environment, EPA (2005). More environmentally friendly alternatives to
PFOS-compounds and PFOA. Environmental Project No. 1013.
EFTA Surveillance Authority, Assessment of need for ban/use restrictions on PFOS (perfluorooctyl
sulphonate) and PFOS-related substances – Environmental Impact assessment.
Gandia R., Monastesse L. (2009). International Workshop on Managing Perfluorinated Chemicals
and Transitioning to Safer Alternatives – Canada’s Activities on PFCs, Geneva, February 2009.
Ministry of Environmental Protection of China (2008). Additional information on production and
use of PFOS, April 30, 2008.
Morf, L. (2004). Substance flow analysis for perfluorinated chemicals, for Federal Office for the
Environment, Bern, Switzerland.
OECD (2002). Cooperation on existing chemicals, Hazard assessment of Perfluorooctane
Sulfonate (PFOS) and its salts, ENV/JM/RD(2002)17/FINAL.
OECD (2005). Results of survey on production and use of PFOS, PFAS and PFOA, related
substances and products/mixtures containing these substances, ENV/JM/MONO(2005)1.
37
OECD (2006). Results of the 2006 survey on production and use of PFOS, PFAS and PFOA, PFCA,
their related substances and products/mixtures containing these substances”,
ENV/JM/MONO(2006)36.
Paul, A.G., Jones, K.C., Sweetman, A.J. (2009). A first global production, emission, and
environmental inventory for perfluorooctane sulfonate. Environmental Science and Technology 43,
386-392.
Risk & Policy Analysts Limited (RPA) in association with BRE Environment (2004).
Perfluorooctane Sulphonate – Risk reduction strategy and analysis of advantages and drawbacks.
Final Report prepared for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the
Environment Agency for England and Wales.
Stockholm Convention website, “Annex F information year 2007” (2007). 25 October 2009,
<http://chm.pops.int/Convention/POPsReviewCommittee/hrPOPRCMeetings/POPRC2/AnnexFinf
ormationYear2007/tabid/466/language/en-US/Default.aspx>.
Swedish Chemicals Agency (KemI) (2004). PFOS relaterade ämnen Strategi för utfasning, Report
No. 3/04.
Swedish Chemicals Agency (KemI) (2006). Perfluorinated substances and their uses in Sweden,
Report No. 7/06.
Swedish Chemicals Inspectorate (2005). An Economic Impact Assessment of Regulation of PFOS
in LRTAP.
United Nations, “UNdata” (2009). 25 October 2009, <data.un.org>.
Yamakazi K. (2009). International Workshop on Managing Perfluorinated Chemicals and
Transitioning to Safer Alternatives - Current Regulatory Activities on PFCs in Japan,Geneva,
February 2009.
38
Appendix 1
PFOS and PFOS related substances: consumption, production, imports and exports (estimated data)
COUTRY
COSUMPTIO
PRODUCTIO
IMPORTS/EXPORTS
Europe - EU
2004:
metal plating: 10 t/y
photographic industry: 1 t/y
semiconductor industry: 0.5 t/y
aviation (h. fluids): 0.73 t/y
fire fighting foams (stocked): 122 t
2000:
metal plating: 10 t/y
photography: 0.85 t/y
photolithography:0.47 t/y
aviation (h. fluids): 0.73 t/y
fire fighting foams: 0.57 t/y
fabric treatment: 240 t/y
paper treatment: 160 t/y
coatings: 90 t/y
2007:
metal plating
photographic industry
photolithography and semiconductors
hydraulic fluids
fire fighting foams
Until 2006 (dominating uses):
textiles
apparels
home furnishing and upholstery
carpet and leather products
2003:
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
electroplating industry: 20-60 t (50%
concentration)
fire fighting foams: <2 t (12 % concentration)
photolithography: 0.1 t (2.6% concentration)
1996-2003:
estimated total manufacture and imports of PFOS and
PFOS related substances: <10000 (10 chemicals <1000 t)
See situation by country
2007:
No PFOS production
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
electroplating industry (mist suppressants) and surfactant in
photographic processing solutions: 10-30 t
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
intermediate for the production of PFOS related
substances: 10-30 t
Germany
Sweden
etherlands
Denmark
2004 (PFOS/PFAS use large decrease from
1999):
(total manufacture/imports of PFOS/PFAS
containing products in 2004: 0.684 t)
textiles
leather tanning (28% of total use in 2002)
printing inks
developers (semiconductor industry)
metal coating (3% of total use in 2002)
cleaning agents
flooring materials (6% of total use in 2002)
paints and varnishes (minor use)
pesticides (minor use)
products for graphic processing (minor use)
(photographic industry)
2003:
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
galvano-technical agents and raw materials: 36.3 t
(0.001-50% concentration)
wax and other polishing preparations cleaning
agents: 622 t (0.002-0.24% concentration)
1999 (and before) also:
(total manufacture/imports of PFOS/PFAS
containing products in 1999: 23 t)
textiles
paper industry
fire fighting foams (only stocks in 2003)
2002 (PFAS):
textile protection
leather protection (10-20 t/y)
carpet protection (15 t/y)
paper and board protection (60-105 t/y)
specialty surfactants
polymerisation aids (>1 t/y)
fire fighting foams (1.13-3.81 t/y)
2005:
glass cleaning waxes and floor polishes
photographic industry
2003 (manufacture and imports combined):
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
no production
2003 (manufacture and imports combined):
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
no imports
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
Belgium
United Kingdom
semiconductors
metal surface treatment
After 2000, those industries moving to
alternatives:
textiles, leather, carpets
paper treatment
cleaning agents
2000 (total consumption 5-50 t/y):
textiles, leather, carpets (16-30% of total use)
paper treatment (15-28%)
cleaning agents (8%)
waxes and floor polishes (0.5-9%)
paint/varnish (former major use,18-25%)
fire fighting foams (0.3-1.1%)
photographic industry (0.2-1%)
metal surface treatment (0.6-6%)
plumbing (fluxing agents) (0.3%)
2003:
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances ((total manufacture and
imports):
fire fighting form: <50 t (18% concentration)
moulded goods: <125 t (<0.5% concentration)
Other uses:
photographic industry
electronics industry (semiconductors)
aviation hydraulic fluids
2004 (use relying on imports):
photographic industry: 0.27 t/y
photolithography and semiconductors: 0.094 t/y
hydraulic fluids: 0.146 t/y
metal plating: 0.5-2.5 t/y
fire fighting foams (stock): 24.434 t
2003:
chromium plating (mist suppressants)
photolithography and semiconductors
aviation hydraulic fluids
photographic industry
Before 2000 (>100 t/y) (use based on imports):
2000 (total manufacture and imports):
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
photographic industry: 5 t
2000 (total manufacture and imports):
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
photographic industry: 5 t
no PFOS production in the UK, not even historical
production
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances &
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
metal plating: <0.5 t
photolithography
photography industry
aviation hydraulic fluids (likely from outside EU)
fire fighting foams (likely from US, Japan and Israel)
Before 2000 :
paper and packaging (>25 t/y, 32% of total imports)
carpet protection (>25 t/y, 23%)
Finland
Italy
Czech Republic
Poland
Slovenia
Romania
Bulgaria
paper and packaging (>25 t/y, 32% of total use)
carpet protection (>25 t/y, 23%)
coatings (additives) (>10 t/y, 18%)
apparel and leather protection (>10 t/y, 15%)
fabric and upholstery protection (>10 t/y, 10%)
fire fighting foams (>1 t/y, 1%)
additives for household products (>1 t/y, 1%)
chemical intermediates (>1 t/y, 1%)
electroplating and etching bath surfactants (>1 t/y,
<1%) (metal plating)
2003:
metal plating
photolithography and semiconductors
hydraulic fluids
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
not produced
2003:
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
not produced
n.a.
2003:
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
not produced
2003:
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
not produced
2008:
not used
2003:
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
n.a
coatings (additives) (>10 t/y, 18%)
apparel and leather protection (>10 t/y, 15%)
fabric and upholstery protection (>10 t/y, 10%)
fire fighting foams (>1 t/y, 1%)
additives for household products (>1 t/y, 1%)
chemical intermediates (>1 t/y, 1%)
electroplating and etching bath surfactants (>1 t/y,
<1%)
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
not produced
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
not imported
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
chemical intermediate: <20 t
acid mist suppressant : <2 t
2007:
PFOS not produced
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
not produced
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
2008:
PFOS not produced
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
produced, but data not available
.
n.a.
n.a.
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
not imported
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
63.666 t imported, no information on use
2002:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
Cyprus
Europe – non EU
orway
Switzerland
Monaco
orth America
USA
67.25 t imported, no information on use
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
not imported
2003:
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
not produced
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
not produced
2005-2006:
fire fighting foams (above 90% of total use in the
past, mostly stocked, only 8 tons of PFOS left in
fire fighting foams)
metal plating: 0.003-0.005 t/y
textiles (small use, more important in the past)
2003:
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
not produced
2004: total use 1 t/y
2000 (after 3M stopped production):
photographic industry (0.019 t/y, 8% of total use)
photolithography and semiconductors (0.009 t/y,
4%)
hydraulic fluids (0.014 t/y, 6%)
metal coating (0.19 t/y, 82%)
Before 3M stopped production: total use 15 t/y
(5 t/y in textiles, leather and carpet)
Recent information (unknown date):
not used
2006:
PFOS no produced
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
not produced
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
not imported
2007:
PFOS not produced
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
not produced
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
metal plating, photographic industry: but no data
Recent information (unknown date):
not produced
n.a.
Only uses possible by law in 2007 (but no
detailed data):
- aviation hydraulic fluids
- as a component of a photoresist substance,
including a photo acid generator or surfactant, or
as a component of an anti-reflective coating, used
in a photomicrolithography process to produce
semiconductors or similar components of
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
not produced
2002:
production ceased in the US
3M historical production:
1985-1989: 1,909.090 t
1990-1994: 2,181.818 t
2000:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
paper packaging applications: 1213.955 t
textile, leather and carpet treatment: 1071.227 t
industrial surfactants, additives and coatings:
572.273 t
fire fighting foams: 92.5 t
Canada
Latin America
Brazil
Chili
electronic or other miniaturized devices;
- in coatings for surface tension, static discharge,
and adhesion control for analog and digital
imaging films, papers, and printing plates, or as a
surfactant in mixtures used to process imaging
films;
- as an intermediate only to produce other
chemical substances to be used solely for these
uses.
2003:
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
not produced
From 2000 to 2006: large decrease in
use/production: from 2.9 million kg to 7983 kg.
2004 (use relying on imports):
metal plating (mostly electroplating): 3 t/y
fire fighting foams (estimated stocks 3 t in 2006)
2003:
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
not produced
1997-2000:
textiles, leather and carpets (grease repellent)
fire fighting foams
aviation hydraulic fluids
photographic industry
paints and coatings
1995-1999: 2,909.090 t
1999: 3,013.636 t
2000 3,501.818 t (48% surface treatment, 33% paper
protection, 15% performance chemicals, 3% fire fighting
foams)*
2001: 174.909 t
2002: 121.454 t
2003: no production
2004: no production
2004: no production of PFOS and PFOS related substances,
no production of products containing PFOS and related
substances
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
not produced
Before 2002:
No production of PFOS and PFOS related substances
2004:
electroplating industry: 3 t of PFOS imported
concern about future increase in imports of products
containing PFOS and PFOS related substances
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
some imports, but data not publicly available
1997-2000:
258 t of PFOS and its precursors were imported into
Canada (PFOS alone 5.16 tons), mostly for fire
fighting foams use.
Exports: no exports of PFOS or products containing
PFOS in 2004
2007:
sulfuramid used: 30 t/y
2004:
sulfuramid used: 20.58 t
2007:
Sulfuramid produced: 30 t/y
2006:
lithium PFOS is produced, but no data
PFOS and PFOS related substances not identified
or registered
PFOS and PFOS related substances not identified or
registered
2005:
Sulfuramid imports: 0.034 t, but no data on PFOS.
Exports:
12 tons of sulfuramid exported in 2006
0.69 t of technical product and 0.054 t of formulated
product in 2005
PFOS and PFOS related substances not identified or
registered
Dominican
Republic
Asia
China
Japan
PFOS and PFOS related substances not identified
or registered
PFOS and PFOS related substances not identified or
registered
PFOS and PFOS related substances not identified or
registered
2008:
textiles: > 10000 t/y of fluorine containing textile
finishing agents
pesticides: 3 t/y
fire fighting foams: >100 t/y (>50 companies)
semiconductors: 0.03-0.04 t/y
metal plating: about 25 t of PFOS containing
chromium fog inhibitor used each year
oil exploitation
cleaning products
leather
photographic industry
aviation (hydraulic fluids)
photoelectricity
nanophase materials
medical appliance
printing ink
paper making
2007:
semiconductors (2.9 t in 2003, 2.7 t in 2004, 1.2 t
in 2005)
metal plating: 2-3 t/y
chrome masks for liquid crystal displays (LCD):
0.05 t/y (50% of world use)
photographic coatings: (3.6 t in 2004)
fire fighting foams: <200 t stocked in the market
2003:
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
Produced, but no data available
Past production of products containing PFOS:
fire fighting foams (stocks still in the market)
2006:
PFOSF production: >200 t (15 Chinese firms)
2004:
total PFOS production <50 t
2003:
large scale PFOS production/use started
2008:
textiles: > 10000 t/y of fluorine containing textile
finishing agents are imported every year
fire fighting foams:100 t of PFOS are
manufactured/imported each year for the production
of AFFF.
semiconductors: 0.03-0.04 t/y (mainly imported)
Exports: in 2006 about 100 t of PFOSF produced
was for export to Brazil, Japan and the EU.
2007:
metal plating: surface treatment materials containing PFOS
are produced and sold by 10 companies
chrome photomasks: 0.05 t/y produced and used
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
Semiconductors: <100 t
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
not imported
Oceania
Australia
ew Zealand
Africa
Algeria
2008 (use relying on imports):
metal plating (99% of total use)
aviation (hydraulic fluids, 1%)
photographic industry
photolithography (surfactants, 0.002%)
fire fighting foams (7.8 t, 97% of total PFOS
stocks, 9.36 t in 2005)
2006:
fire fighting foams (stocks: 180 t of fire fighting
foams purchased before 2003 and containing 0.17% of PFOS related substances)
no use in leather (0.047 t in 2004, 0.013 t in 2005)
2003:
class-B fire fighting foams
specialised industrial products used for processing
rubber
paints and coatings
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
not produced
2001:
textiles and leather protection in the Scotchgard
range of products
Before 2000:
fire fighting foams (AFFF and ATC) in the
Scotchgard range of products
2003:
aviation hydraulic fluids
photographic industry
electronic applications (semiconductors)
Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS
related substances:
not produced
2004 to 2007:
no production of PFOS and its related chemicals
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
not produced
2007:
1.35 t of PFOS as technical grade and in PFOS
containing products was imported
2006:
0.76 t of PFOS as technical grade and in PFOS
containing products was imported
2006 to 2008:
imports increased: metal plating (99%), hydraulic
fluids (1%), photography and photolithography
(0.002%)
2004-2005:
no imports of PFOS and its related substances
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
no imports
2003:
PFOS and PFOS related substances:
not produced
n.a.
2007:
fire fighting foams
n.a.
n.a.
Congo
Zambia
photographic industry
photolithography and semiconductors
hydraulic fluids
metal plating
PFOS and PFOS related substances not identified
or registered
2007:
fire fighting foams
photographic industry
photolithography and semiconductors
hydraulic fluids
metal plating
as a surface active agent
PFOS and PFOS related substances not identified or
registered
n.a.
PFOS and PFOS related substances not identified or
registered
n.a.
*Surface treatment applications include protection of apparel and leather, fabric/upholstery and carpet.
Paper protection applications provide grease, oil, and water resistance to paper and paperboard (food and non-food applications).
Performance chemical applications include fire fighting foams, mining and oil well surfactants, acid mist suppressants for metal plating and electronic etching baths, photolithography,
electronic chemicals, hydraulic fluid additives, alkaline cleaners, floor polishes, photographic film, denture cleaners, shampoos, chemical intermediates, coating additives, carpet spot cleaners,
and as an insecticide in bait stations.
Appendix 2
PFOS total estimated production and consumption, upper bound (tons) (1984-2002)
(P=production, C=consumption)
Country
1984-1989
P
C
1990-1994
P
C
1995-1999
P
C
1999
P
OECD countries
Europe- EU
Germany
Sweden
Netherlands
Denmark
Belgium
United Kingdom
Finland
Italy
Czech Republic
Poland
Slovenia
Romania
Bulgaria
Cyprus
C
P
2001
C
P
2002
C
P
C
502.62
22
23
10
2
50
5
100
67.25
Norway
Switzerland
Monaco
USA
Canada
2000
15
1909.09
0
15
2181.818
0
15
2909.09
0
15
3013.636
0
0.232
3501.818
0
2900 174.909
5.16
0
121.454
0
Brazil
Chili
Dominican Republic
China
Japan
Australia
New Zealand
Algeria
Congo
Zambia
Total
1909.09
15
2181.818
15
2909.09
15 3013.636
37 3506.818 3408.012 174.909
10
121.454
Manifacture/import combined
Manifacture/import combined of PFOS/PFAS containing products
POSF production
Sulfuramid
PFOSF, lower bound for production
Lower bound, based on imports
Not including textiles and metal coating
Based on OECD (2004) data: PFOS (and related substances) in Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS related substances
Based on OECD (2004) data: PFOS (and related substances) in manufactured/imported Products/mixtures containing PFOS and rel. subs.
Imports of PFOS and related substances
Data for 1997-2000 imports
Excluding Sweden, part of the EU
69.25
Appendix 3
PFOS total estimated production and consumption, upper bound (tons)
(P=production, C=consumption)
2003
Country
OECD countries
Europe- EU
Germany
Sweden
Netherlands
Denmark
Belgium
United Kingdom
Finland
Italy
Czech Republic
Poland
Slovenia
Romania
Bulgaria
Cyprus
P
2004
C
P
2005
C
P
C
87.5
10000 since 1996
30
0
0
22
0
0
0
>0
2006
P
2007
C
P
2008
C
P
87.5
12.23
30.24
19.64
0
0.684
9.625
0.5
3.01
0
0
0
0
0
63.666
0
Norway
Switzerland
Monaco
0
0
USA
Canada
0
0
0
1
0
0
7.983
3
2009
C
P
C
Brazil
Chili
Dominican Republic
China
Japan
Australia
New Zealand
>0
50
100
2.9
0
0
20.58
200
5.6
0
0
30
100
1.2
0
30
0.76
103.04
0.05
3.05
0
1.35
Algeria
Congo
Zambia
Total
152
126.58
50
24.84
87.5
88.7
200
129.32 30.05 34.40
0 103.04
0
Manifacture/import combined
Manifacture/import combined of PFOS/PFAS containing products
POSF production
Sulfuramid
PFOSF, lower bound for production
Lower bound, based on imports
Not including textiles and metal coating
Based on OECD (2004) data: PFOS (and related substances) in Products/mixtures containing PFOS and PFOS related substances
Based on OECD (2004) data: PFOS (and related substances) in manufactured/imported Products/mixtures containing PFOS and rel. subs.
Imports of PFOS and related substances
Data for 1997-2000 imports
Excluding Sweden, part of the EU
0
Appendix 4
PFOS production and use by sector (2003-2008) (tons)
Metal plating
Germany Use
China
Use
EU
Use
UK
Use
Canada
Use
Australia Use
SwitzerlandUse
Italy
Use
Japan
Use
Germany Production
Japan
Production
Italy
Production
China
Production
EU
Production
UK
Production
Finland
Production
Norway
Production
SwitzerlandProduction
Canada
Production
Australia Production
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
30
25
0.5
10
2.5
3
0.75
1.34
0.19
27
3
2
Total
Total use Total production
30
25
10
3
3
2.09
0.19
0
0
27
3
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
63.28
32
Photographic industry
Japan
Use
EU
Use
UK
Use
SwitzerlandUse
Germany Use
Germany Production
EU
Production
UK
Production
SwitzerlandProduction
Japan
Production
Photolithography
semiconductors
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
3.6
1
0.27
Total
3.6
1
0.27
0.019
0
3
0
0
0
0
0.019
3
Total use Total production
4.619
3
and
Japan
Use
EU
Use
UK
Use
China
Use
SwitzerlandUse
Germany Use
Australia Use
Japan
Production
Australia Production
China
Production
EU
Production
Germany Production
UK
Production
Finland
Production
SwitzerlandProduction
2003
2004
2005
2.9
2.7
0.5
0.094
1.2
2006
2007
2008
0.04
0.009
0.0026
100
0.0001
0.0002
Total
6.8
0.5
0.094
0.04
0.009
0.0026
0
100
0.0003
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total use Total production
7.3516
100.0003
Aviation hydr. fluids
EU
Use
UK
Use
Australia Use
SwitzerlandUse
EU
Production
UK
Production
SwitzerlandProduction
Australia Production
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
0.73
0.146
0.008
0.013
0.014
Assumption: 10 to 1 ratio between metal plating and photographic industry, like in the EU in 2004
Chromium fog inhibithors containing PFOS
Assuming that in 2000 the situation was the same as in 2003
Based on total imports of PFOS in 2006 and 2007 and percentage of use in 2008
Total
0.73
0.146
0.021
0.014
0
0
0
0
Total use Total production
0.765
0
Appendix 5
UN data
<data.un.org>
PHOTOGRAPHIC INDUSTRY - Photographic plates, films and papers output value
Country or Area
Japan
Germany
United Kingdom
Sweden
Denmark
Unit
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
2003
4561.50
1538.02
769.01
2.23
0.00
2004
4326.74
1563.60
290.56
0.00
2005
3519.10
2006
3122.54
1170.39
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
2005
54577.00
21688.75
15470.47
13559.26
4757.83
2306.25
1725.21
805.38
0.00
2006
Cumulative
15529.87
4272.01
1059.58
2.23
0.00
Source : Industrial Commodity Statistics Database, United Nations Statistics Division
METAL PLATING - Treatment and coating of metals output value
Country or Area
United States of America
Germany
Japan
United Kingdom
Sweden
Finland
Denmark
Australia
Norway
Unit
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
2003
44412.00
16756.02
12956.09
11116.39
3549.01
1545.23
1240.97
596.75
574.86
Source : INDSTAT, United Nations Industrial Development Organization
2004
48777.00
19697.13
14844.26
12892.59
4444.82
1967.88
1433.38
702.96
805.49
Cumulative
147766.00
58141.90
43270.82
37568.25
12751.66
5819.35
4399.56
2105.10
1380.35
SEMICONDUCTORS - Photosensitive semiconductor devices output value
Country or Area
Unit
Japan
Germany
Sweden
United Kingdom
Denmark
Finland
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
Mil. USD
2003
2004
2005
2006
Cumulative
4743.31
579.71
33.88
154.78
14.99
4.51
5516.30
1046.09
38.37
246.44
12.94
2.48
5008.64
1610.66
203.13
4133.40
2565.90
307.45
13.82
1.24
14.58
1.25
19401.64
5802.36
582.84
401.22
56.33
9.50
Source : Industrial Commodity Statistics Database, United Nations Statistics Division