The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is preparing to consult on adding perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) to its list of chemicals of very serious concern and hence potentially subject to special authorisation under the EU’s REACH chemical control system.
The proposed restriction on this key ingredient of 3M’s ScotchGard’s carpet and upholstery protector has been developed by the Norwegian government, which has claimed that the chemical may have ‘probable serious effects to human health’ and to the environment. 3M switched to PFBS in 2003 after pressure to replace the earlier PFOS ingredient.
A report released last year by the Norwegian Environment Agency states that the chemical’s “side-chain-fluorinated polymers are used in impregnating agents for leather (nubuck and suede), outdoor textiles and carpets…”
A proposal to list PFBS, its salts and related substances is likely to be made next March (2019). It would also cover transformation products nonafluorobutane-1-sulphonyl fluoride; 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluoro-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methylbutane-1-sulphonamide; and N,N,N-triethylethanaminium 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane-1-sulfonate; as well as other related sulfonyl- functionalised substances, said an ECHA note.
The 2017 Norwegian report can be viewed here:
http://www.miljodirektoratet.no/Documents/publikasjoner/M759/M759.pdf
