Workshop on "Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its ammonium salt - Production, use and risk”

The aim of this workshop was to share with the Member States and the other stakeholders the results of a study finalised in January 2010 and of other ongoing activities on PFOA and its ammonium salt.

The morning session was focusing mainly on the results obtained so far on the ongoing studies on the hazard and risk assessment of PFOA.

The afternoon session was twofold: the first part focused on the use of PFOA during the fluoropolymerization process, in photographic application, and in articles; the second part focused on activities at OECD level and on the regulatory possibilities to address the identified concerns.

Workshop agenda

Presentation slides:

Study on Analysis of the risks arising from the industrial use of PFOA/APFO and from their use in consumer articles - Femke Affourtit (RPS)

Critical Appraisal on DNEL Derivation on PFOA - Ulrike Bernauer (BfR)
   
In vitro toxicological characterisation of PFOA and homologous substances with variant carbon chain length - Thorsten Buhrke (BfR)
   
OECD activities on Perfluorinated chemicals - Bob Diderich (OECD)
   
Monitoring results on PFOA in Arctic marine top predators with focus on polar bears - Rune Dietz (NERI)
   
Use of PFOA in critical photographic applications - Eddy Michiels (I&P Europe)
   
Analytical method for PFOA (and higher homologues) in articles - challenges and current status - Stefan Posner (Swerea IVF)
   
Global risks for health and environment – what the EU could do - Ninja Reineke (WWF)
   
PFOA - possible sources and regulatory needs  - Christoph Schulte (FEA)
   
Fluoropolymer Production and the use of Processing Aids - Eric van Wely (PlasticsEurope)

Main workshop conclusions