Document o9k7qRqm1LxOpqBzZDn671w13

AR226-3346 Environmental Fate Studies of Fluorotelomer Intermediates and Fliiorotelomer-based Surfactants and Polymers W.R. Bertit, N. Wangt, B. Szostekt, S.M. Kennedy*, M.A. Kaiser8, and R.C. Buckl iDuPont Central Research & Development, tDuPont Uaskell Lab, SDuPont Corporate Center for Analytical Sciences, IDuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprises ABSTRACT Fluorotelomer intermediates are used to manufacture fluorotelomep-based Surfactants and polymers, which provide unique properties in a wide variety of consumer products. Fluorotelomer intermediates were initially selected for study because they were expected to be among the possiblecompoundsinto which the fiuorotelomer-based surfactant and polymer products may potentially degrade. Our environmental fate research has focused primarily on the fluorotelomer intermediate 8-2 Telomer B Alcohol [8-2 TBA; CF3(CF;)/:H2CH;OH], which we have shown to be hydrolytlcally stable [half-life (t^) > one year] and non-toxic to microorganisms at concentrations greater than 100 mg 8-2 TBA L-1. Our* research in this area has expanded to include environmental fate studies on the fiuorotelomer-based Surfactants and polymers. We will summarize the environmental fate studies that we have conducted on the 8-2 TBA. includingan air/water/soil partitioning experiment. We will also discuss biotransformation experiments that we performed on the fluorinated surfactonts and polymers. Biodegradation of Telomer surfactonts 28-Day COg Evolution Test - Test substance primary C source -20BigC/L - Ba(OH)z to trap CO; - Fluorlde measured with Ion-specific electrode and Polymers Summary: 8-2 TBA Hydrolyticolly stable; half-life > 1 year Soil/water partitioning studies may indicate strong adsorption to soils Volatilization is a concern The miracles of science-