PFOS Toxicity

PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid)

What is PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid)?

PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) is closely related to PFOA and is also ubiquitous in the environment. Its main use has been as a stain repellant and fabric protector; it is the main ingredient in Scotchguard® and is also an ingredient in firefighting foam. PFOS levels in the US population have decreased over the past decade as the chemical has been phased out of use in the United States.

Still, PFOS is found ubiquitously in human samples and has been detected in amniotic fluid[26] and umbilical cord blood and is associated with lower weights at birth but higher weights at 20 months of age.

PFOSA (Perfluorooctane sulfonamide) is a PFAS compound that breaks down to PFOS in the environment. It has been found to damage the health of cells and their ability to process fats in salmon liver cells.

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