Volume 135: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)

We are pleased to announce that Volume 135 of the IARC Monographs is now available online. This volume comprises a single monograph covering both perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).

PFOA and PFOS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are extremely resistant to degradation. First produced in the 1940s, PFOA has extensive uses, including in fluoropolymer manufacture and applications; in surface coatings conferring resistance to stains, oil, and water on household products, carpets, textiles, leather products, and food and feed packaging; in electrics and electronics; and in construction materials. With some similar uses to those of PFOA, PFOS additionally has applications in aqueous film-forming foams used in firefighting; in the fabrication of imaging devices and semiconductors; in photolithography and electroplating; and in insulation, dyes, and ink.

The Working Group evaluated PFOA as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) on the basis of sufficient evidence for cancer in experimental animals and strong mechanistic evidence that PFOA exhibits key characteristics of carcinogens in exposed humans. There was limited evidence in humans for cancer of the testis and for renal cell carcinoma. PFOS was evaluated as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) on the basis of strong mechanistic evidence. There was limited evidence for cancer in experimental animals and inadequate evidence for cancer in humans for PFOS.