Updates on international Updates on international efforts for risk reduction efforts for risk reduction of PFCsof PFCs

Kei OhnoSecretariat of the Stockholm Conventionkohno@pops.int

Objective:Objective:

To protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Stockholm Convention Stockholm Convention

Annex A (Elimination)Annex A (Elimination)

• Pesticides: Aldrin, alpha HCH, beta HCH, chlordane, chlordecone, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, lindane, mirex, toxaphene

• Industrial chemicals: hexachlorobenzene, PCBs, hexabromobiphenyl, hexa and hepta BDEs, tetra and penta BDEs, pentachlorobenzene,

Annex B (Restriction)Annex B (Restriction)

• Pesticides: DDT

• Industrial chemicals: Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF)

Annex C (Unintentional production)Annex C (Unintentional production)

• Dioxins and furans, PCBs, hexachlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene

Listed 21 POPs Listed 21 POPs

• Implement control measures

• If no alternatives, register specific exemptions, acceptable purposes

• Develop and implement Action Plans for unintentional POPs

• Develop inventories of the stockpiles

• Review and update National Implementation Plan

• Conduct monitoring for effectiveness evaluation

Obligations for listed POPsObligations for listed POPs

Acceptable purposes for PFOSAcceptable purposes for PFOS1. Photo imaging

2. Photo resist and anti-reflective coatings for semi-conductors

3. Etching agent for compound semi-conductors and ceramic filters

4. Aviation hydraulic fluids

5. Metal plating only in closed-loop systems

6. Certain medical devices (e.g. ETFE layers, radio-opaque ETFE, in vitro diagnostic medical devices, CCD colour filters)

7. Fire fighting foam

8. Insect baits for control of leaf-cutting ants.

Specific exemptions for PFOSSpecific exemptions for PFOS1. Photo masks in the semiconductor and LCD industries

2. Metal plating (decorative and hard)

3. Electric and electronic parts for some colour printers and colour copy machines

4. Insecticides for control of red imported fire ants and termites

5. Chemically driven oil production

6. Carpets

7. Leather and apparel

8. Textiles and upholstery

9. Paper and packaging

10.Coatings and coating additives

11.Rubber and plastics

Risk management evaluation Risk management evaluation document for PFOS (2007 and 2008)document for PFOS (2007 and 2008)UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/20/Add.5 and UNEP/POPS/POPRC.4/15/Add.6

• Efficacy and efficiency of possible control measures

• Alternatives (costs, risks, efficacy, accessibility)

• Positive/negative impacts of control measures on health, agriculture, biota, economic aspects, social costs

• Waste, disposal implications, stockpiles

• Access to information and public education

• Status of control and monitoring capacity

• Any national or regional control actions

Information gathered in accordance with Annex F

General guidance on consideration for General guidance on consideration for identification of alternatives (2009)identification of alternatives (2009)

UNEP/POPS/POPRC.5/10/Add.1

Collection of use and emission information on chemicalsConsultation to define a chemical’s useDescription of the chemical’s existing use and functionality Information on release into the environment

Identification of alternativesIdentification of potential alternativesAssessment of availability, technical feasibility, accessibility and efficacy of alternatives

Assessment of risk related to alternatives

POPs screening criteria

Hazardous properties

Non-chemical alternatives

Verification of controls in other jurisdictions

Social and economic assessment of alternatives

Evaluation of alternatives

Guidance on alternatives to perfluorooctane Guidance on alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonate and its derivatives (2010)sulfonate and its derivatives (2010)

Objectives of the study:

• To summarize what is currently known about alternatives to PFOS, its salts, and PFOSF

• To enhance the capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to phase-out PFOS

To be published in UNEP/POPS/POPRC.6/13/Add.3 (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.6/INF/8 revised at POPRC6)

PFOS substances mentioned in Annex B CAS No:

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid 1763-23-1

Potassium perfluorooctane sulfonate 2795-39-3

Lithium perfluorooctane sulfonate 29457-72-5

Ammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate 29081-56-9

Diethanolammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate 70225-14-8

Perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride 307-35-7

Tetraethylammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate 56773-42-3

Di(decyl)di(methyl)ammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate 2551099-16-8

Section II. Characteristics of PFOS and its derivatives

More complex PFOS precursors are often used. These derivatives are covered through the listing of PFOSF, the basic material for their manufacture.

Use area Use of PFOS-related substances

Alternatives used

Impregnation of textiles, leather and carpets

PFOS-related substances have been phased out in most OECD countries.

Other fluorinated compounds, like C6-

fluorotelomers and PFBS, silicone-based products, stearamidomethyl pyridine chloride

Impregnation of paper and cardboard

PFOS-related substances have been phased out in most OECD countries.

Fluorotelomer-based substances and phosphates, mechanical processes

Cleaning agents, waxes/ polishes for cars and floors

PFOS-related substances have been phased out in most OECD countries.

Fluorotelomer-based substances, fluorinated polyethers, C4-perfluorinated

compounds

Surface coatings, paint and varnish

PFOS-related substances have been phased out in most OECD countries.

Telomer-based compounds, fluorinated polyethers, PFBS, propylated aromatics, silicone surfactants, sulfosuccinates, polypropylene glycol ethers

Oil production and mining

PFOS derivatives may occasionally be used as surfactants in the oil and mining industries.

PFBS, telomer-based fluorosurfactants, perfluoroalkyl-substituted amines, acids, amino acids and thioether acids

Section III. Alternatives to the use of PFOS

(1)

Use area Use of PFOS-related substances

Alternatives used

Photographic industry A shift to digital techniques has reduced the use drastically.

Telomer-based surfactants products, hydrocarbon surfactants, silicone products, C3-C4-fluorinated chemicals

Electrical and electronic parts

PFOS-based chemicals are or have been used in the manufacturing of digital cameras, mobile phones, printers, scanners, satellite communication and radar systems, etc.

For most of these uses, alternatives are available or are under development.

Semiconductor industry PFOS is still used but in lower concentrations.

No substitutes with comparable effectiveness have been identified, and doing so may take up to 5 years, according to the industry. It should be possible to use PFBS, fluorinated polyethers or telomers.

Pesticides Sulfluramid is used in some countries as an active substance and surfactant in pesticide products for termites, cockroaches and other insects. Other fluorosurfactants may be used as “inert” surfactants in other pesticide products.

Synthetic piperonyl compounds such as S‑Methoprene, Pyriproxyfen, Fipronil and Chlorpyrifos are alternative active substances, sometimes used in combination.Alternative surfactants may exist.

(2)

Section III. Alternatives to the use of PFOS

Use area Use of PFOS-related substances

Alternatives used

Aviation hydraulic oils PFOS-related compounds may still be used.

Other fluorinated substances and phosphate compounds could be used.

Medical devices Old video endoscopes at hospitals contain a CCD colour filter that contains a small amount of PFOS. PFOS is also used as an effective dispersant for contrast agents in radio-opaque catheters.

Repairing such video endoscopes requires a CCD colour filter containing PFOS. New CCD filters are PFOS-free. For radio-opaque ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, PFBS can replace PFOS.

Metal plating PFOS-compounds are still used in hard chrome plating. Cr-III has replaced Cr-VI in decorative chrome plating.

Some non-fluorinated alternatives are marketed but they are not considered equally effective in hard chrome plating. A C6-fluortelomer is used as a substitute

and may be effective. PFBS derivatives may also be used. Physical barriers may also apply.

Fire-fighting foams The use of PFOS-related substances in new products has been phased out in most OECD countries. Stocks are still being used up.

C6– fluorotelomers are used as

substitutes in new products; fluorine-free alternatives are used for training exercises and possibly in other settings than offshore.

(3)

Section III. Alternatives to the use of PFOS

Section IV: Properties of alternative substances and hazard assessment

1. Shorter-chain perfluoroalkyl sulfonates

2. Shorter-chain perfluoroalkyl ketones and ethers

3. Polyfluorodialkyl ether sulfonates

4. Fluorotelomers and fluorophosphates

5. Fluorinated co-polymers

6. Fluorinated polyethers

7. Siloxanes and silicone polymers

8. Propylated aromatics

9. Sulfosuccinates

10.Stearamidomethyl pyridine chloride

11.Polypropylene glycol ether, amines, and sulfates

Brief description of the environmental, safety and health properties of PFOS alternatives:

Section V: Comparative assessment of PFOS and possible alternatives

Chemical CAS No: Molecular weight

Price in € per 100 g

Perfluorobutane sulfonyl fluoride (PFBSF) 375-72-4 303.09 136

Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) 59933-66-3 300.10 1,800

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) 1763-23-1 500.13 1,122

Perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF) 307-35-7 502.12 92

Fluorotelomer 6:2 alcohol 647-42-7 364.10 130

Fluorotelomer 8:2 alcohol 678-39-7 464.12 187

Fluorotelomer 10:2 alcohol 865-86-1 564.14 1,440

Methyl nonafluorobutyl ether 163702-07-6 250.06 745

Prices of selected basic polyfluorinated laboratory chemicals

ABCR 2006–2007 catalogue: Fluorochemicals. Karlsruhe, Germany

Section VI: Conclusions, recommendations and future developments

1. Low surface tension is the key

2. Substitutes for PFOS are available

3. Need for better alternatives

4. Need for incentives

5. Complex assessment

6. Need for more public data and information on alternatives

7. Need for better communication in the value chain

8. Need for better communication in the value chain

Work programme on newly Work programme on newly listed persistent organic listed persistent organic pollutants (SC-4/19)pollutants (SC-4/19)

Collected informationCollected information

1. Types and quantities of articles containing PFOS etc., concentrations in articles

2. Types of processes using PFOS etc., concentrations, options for the environmental management

3. Types of articles recycled, the extent of recycling, articles produced from recycling, options for the environmental management

4. Cost effectiveness of different management options

5. Sampling and analysis methods

6. Remediation methods for contaminated sites

Recommendations on risk reduction for Recommendations on risk reduction for PFOS, its salts, and PFOSF by the POPs PFOS, its salts, and PFOSF by the POPs Review Committee (POPRC6)Review Committee (POPRC6)To be published in UNEP/POPS/POPRC.6/13

1. For industrial production, use, and releases and deposits

2. For use of PFOS

3. For PFOS in existing stocks

4. For recycling of PFOS containing articles

5. For PFOS in consumer products deposited on municipal landfills

6. For releases of PFOS from contaminated sites

Recommendations are given in chronological order of the life cycle, provided in short, medium, and long term framework.

Short-term recommendations in summary:Short-term recommendations in summary:

a) Identify disposal options in compliance with Stockholm Convention guidelines for the destruction of PFOS containing waste including sludge and prevent depositing in landfills;

b) Establish safely storage for indicative PFOS-containing materials and articles as well as existing stocks;

c) Conduct monitoring of PFOS contamination in the surrounding waters of landfills with deposits from PFOS producers/users;

d) Assess occupational exposures of staff working in facilities where articles and wastes potentially containing PFOS are handled;

e) Identify and introduce alternatives to PFOS in open applications and promote use in closed-loop systems and BAT/BEP in treatment;

f) Gather information on the experiences of the use of PFOS alternatives including risk assessment of the alternatives;

g) Raise awareness on environmental and human health effects of PFOS and provide training on appropriate handling of PFOS, including risks caused by misuse of PFOS containing carpets;

h) Establish a strategy for identifying and monitoring of sites contaminated with PFOS in accordance with Article 6.

What’s next?

COP 5

25-29 April 2011 in Geneva

http://www.pops.int

For more information:

Contact: Kei OhnoSecretariat of the Stockholm Convention+41 22 917 8201kohno@pops.int

Annex A with Specific exemptions

• Need to register (except for PCBs)

• Exemption open for 5 years from the date of entry into force

• When all registrations have expired, no new registrations possible

• Exemptions may be extended by the COP based on a report by the Party justifying the continuing need for the exemption.

Annex B with Specific exemptions and Acceptable purposes

• Specific exemptions: same as Annex A

• Acceptable purpose: need to register, no expiration unless otherwise decided by the COP

NOTE: Specific exemptions vs. acceptable purposes

NOTE: Persistent Organic Pollutants NOTE: Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC)Review Committee (POPRC)

• Subsidiary body to the Convention, mandated to review proposals submitted by Parties for listing new chemicals in Annex A, B, or C.

• 31 government-designated members

• Terms of reference, conflict of interest procedure: SC-1/7,SC-1/8, SC-4/20