PFOS&PFOA-silver+class+'09

=Alexis Beren and Jay Smith=

****//Abstract// ****
PFOA/PFOS are man made chemicals that are found in stain guard carpets and other household items. They are made in china and have been found t cause ammonal dysfunctions and cancer. It is found almost anywhere in the world now. PFOA/PFOS are known for causing diseases. In frogs and other small animals it causes cancer and compromises the immune system. In Humans it has caused birth defects and miscarriages. They are also found in the air and water. We think that chemical should be banned. It is useful in products but is too dangerous. It causes to many problems to people and animals. It has also spread worldwide. It is found in the ocean, animals, dust, air, and drinking water. It is dangerous for the world and should be stopped.

Perfluorooctanoic Acid PFOA is used in fluoropolymers at DuPont Company. It can cause hepatomegaly. It is used in the production of stain-resistant carpets and Gore-Tex. Until 2003 it was used in 3M products as well. The only benefit of PFOA is that it helps to make stain-resistant products unaffected by stain. This product is mainly used in the United States. There are currently no bans on PFOA

Human Health Implications: PFOA is linked to infertility. It also causes birth defects, cancer and immune system problems. Environment Implications: Can be found in every continent.

PFOA Environment/Political Impact PFOA is in stain resistant carpets. PFOA is found everywhere in the world. If it was banned we wouldn’t have stain free carpets, also it would be good because it causes cancer.

//Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid //
PFOS is a man-made Pollutant. It is a proposed POP. A POP is a potent organic pollutant – an organic compound that is resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes. PFOS was used in Scotchguard, a 3M product, until 2003, when 3M removed PFOS and PFOA from all of its products. This product is resistant to environmental degradation but there aren’t any real benefits. PFOS isn’t used very widely now, but when it was in scotchguard it was used almost worldwide. It is only banned in Canada right now but coming May 2009 there will be a vote for a worldwide ban on PFOS

Human Health Implications: It affects the immune system and can cause people to become immunocompromised. It can also cause cancer. Environment Implications: Causing ppb (parts per billion) levels to rise in animals.

PFOS Environment/Political Impact China would be affected since they make it and export it. Scotchguard would be affected since PFOS is an ingredient in it. Without it we wouldn’t have fire-fighting foams. It would affect everyone who has or needs fire-fighting foam, it would also affect clothing that has scotchguard on it to prevent stains.

//Summary //
There do not seem to be any benefits from PFOA or PFOS. PFOA can be found in stain-guard for carpets but it is not a main component and can be replaced. PFOS is a dangerous chemical and serves no purpose in anything. There is no reason for either of these chemicals to exist. I believe that both should be banned as soon as possible so that they don’t make any more people sick.

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