Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid

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Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and its conjugate base perfluorooctanesulfonate) are chemicals having an eight-carbon fluorocarbon chain and a sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional group. Collectively, the two species are called PFOS. The acid is an example of perfluorosulfonic acid. The acid and the sulfonate salts are perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Once a poplular fluorosurfactant, PFOS is now regarded as a global pollutant. PFOS was the key ingredient in Scotchgard, a fabric protector made by 3M, and related stain repellents. The acronym "PFOS" refers to the parent sulfonic acid and to various salts of perfluorooctanesulfonate. These are all colorless or white, water-soluble solids. Although of low acute toxicity, PFOS has attracted much attention for its pervasiveness and environmental impact. It was added to Annex B of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in May 2009.

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