Table 2.
List of typical PFAS uses in industrial and consumers products.
| SECTOR OF USE | TYPE OF USE |
|---|---|
| Non-Polymeric PFAS | |
| Fire prevention | Fire-fighting foams such as foams based on aqueous films (Acqueous Film-Forming Foams, AFFs) |
| Biocides | Active products in plants grow regulators (PGRs) Active or inert (emulsifiers, solvents, carriers, aerosol propellants) ingredients in pesticides |
| Electronic | Flame retardants |
| Aviation and Aerospace | Additives for hydraulic fluids |
| Metal plating | Humectants and anti-fog agents |
| Household Products | Surfactants in floor cleaning; treatment for textiles, leather, carpets; car waxes |
| Building and Construction | Additives in coatings and paints |
| Medical Products | Stain-resistant and water-repellent articles, X-ray film |
| Personal care products | Cosmetics, makeup, nail polish, shampoo |
| Metal plating | Wetting agent, anti-mist agents |
| Oil and mining production | Surfactants used in oil-well production and mining flotation |
| PFAS synthesis | Use as monomers for the synthesis of fluoropolymers with fluorinated side chain |
| Automotive | Treatment for external surfaces and internal leather coatings, textiles or carpets |
| Textiles and leather | Treatment aimed to create a coating with oil-water-stain-repellent properties |
| Semiconductors | Use in the production of semiconductor chips |
| Polymeric PFAS | |
| Fire prevention | Raw materials for firefighting equipment, protective clothes and fuel repellents |
| Electronic | Insulators and materials for welding |
| Aviation and Aerospace | Insulators, sleeves |
| Household Products | Non-stick coatings |
| Building and Construction | Coating of architectural materials, additives in paints, dyes, stains and sealants |
| Medical Products | Use in surgical patches, biocompatible human implants and medical prosthesis |
| Personal care products | Use in dental floss and lotions |
| Oil and mining production | Use in lining of gas pipes |
| Automotive | Mechanical components, seals and lubricants |
| Textiles, leather and clothing | Use in the manufacture of clothing and housewares as well as in coatings having oil-water-repellent properties |
| Semiconductors | Use as fluids in mechanical vacuum pumps |
| Energy | Film for solar panels |
| Paper and packaging | Use in water-oil-repellent materials, paperboard, and bags for food packaging |
| Cables and wiring | Coatings resistant to weathering, flame and soil |
| Food processing | Production of materials used for cooking (non-stick pans) and food storage (containers) |