Perfluorinated compounds PFCs

Sometimes for some very potent pollutants analytical methodologies provide limits of detection (LODs) higher than the concentrations that cause effects, as derived from ecotoxicological studies. Therefore efforts in the field of analytical chemistry (see Sect. 2) are focused on making available the necessary analytical capabilities to detect pollutants at the required low levels found in the environment. This was the case of pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), sunscreens/UV filters, etc. few years ago. However, this list is likely to increase with new family candidates. 

Table 2 Selected perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) for the QSARs analysis... 

Industrial organic pollutants Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), new pesticides, and nanomaterials. 

Polyfluorinated compounds comprise hundreds of chemicals characterized by hydrophobic linear alkyl chains partially or fully fluorinated (as the perfluorinated compounds [PFCs]) and containing different functional groups. Polyfluorinated compounds include perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (PFASAs), fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), polyfluorinated alkyl phosphates (PFAPs), fluorotelomer unsaturated carboxylic acids (FTUCAs), perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), and their salts. The most common PFAAs are perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFASs). In particular, PFASs contain one or more fluorinated alkyl chains bonded to a polar head, which at neutral pH can be charged (anionic, cationic, and amphiphilic surfactants) or noncharged (nonionic surfactants). 

Enevoldsen R, Juhler RK (2010) Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in groundwater and aqueous soil extracts using inline SPE-LC-MS/MS for screening and sorption characterisation of perfluorooctane sulphonate and related compounds. Anal Bioanal Chem 398 1161-1172... 

Rostkowski P, Taniyasu S, Yamashita N, Falanddysz J, Zegarowsky L, Chojnacka A, Pazdro K, Falanddysz J (2009) Survey of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in surface waters of Poland. J Environ Sci Health Part A 44 1518-1527 http //www.gendorf.de/ (22.11.2007)... 

Wilhelm M, Bergmann S, Dieter HH (2010) Occurrence of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in drinking water of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and new approach to assess drinking water contamination by shorter-chained C4-C7 PFCs. Int J Hyg Environ Health 213 (3) 224-232... 

Loos R, Locoro G, Huber T, Wollgast J, Christoph EH, De Jager A, Gawlik BM, Hanke G, Umlauf G, Zaldivar JM (2008) Analysis of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and other perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in the River Po watershed in N-Italy. Chemosphere 71 (2) 306-313... 

Fromme H, Mosch C, Morovitz M, Alba-Alejandre I, Boehmer S, Kiranoglu M, Faber F, Hannibal I, Genzel-Boroviczeny O, Koletzko B, Volkel W (2010) Pre- and postnatal exposure to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). Environ Sci Technol 44 7123-7129... 

Wilhelm M, Kraft M, Rauchfuss K, Holzer J (2008) Assessment and management of the first German case of a contamination with perfluorinated compounds (PFC) in the Region Sauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia. J Toxicol Environ Health A 71 725-733... 

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) constitute a large group of compoimds characterized by a fully fluorinated hydrophobic linear carbon chain attached to one or more hydrophilic head groups. PFCs repel both water and oil and are therefore ideal chemicals for surface... 

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