Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA, CASRN 375-224) and related salts (ammonium perfluorobutanoic acid [NH4+PFBA], CASRN 10495-86-0) are members of the perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The concern about PFBA and PFAS stems from the fact that these compounds are resistant to hydrolysis, photolysis, and biodegradation, resulting in their persistence in the environment. PFAS are not naturally occurring in the environment; they are man-made compounds that have been widely used in consumer products and industries over the past few decades due to their resistance to heat, grease, stains, and water.
PFBA is a breakdown product of other PFASs and is used in stain-resistant textiles, paper food packaging and carpets; it is also used in the manufacture of photo negatives and as a replacement for long-chain perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) in consumer products. Therefore, exposure can occur through inhalation of indoor or outdoor air, ingestion of drinking water and food, and skin contact with PFBA-containing products.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) completed a toxicological review of PFBA and related salts in December 2022 and is currently working to update the final version of the assessment in the IRIS database. This assessment includes potential cancer and non-cancer effects on human health from exposure to PFB and related salts, and can be used by EPA agencies to inform decisions about protecting human health. A link to the full article is provided below.
Link to original article.
IRIS Toxicological Review of Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) and Related Salts (Final Report, 2022)
