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Guidelines on Best Available Techniques and Guidance on Best Environmental Practices for the Production and Use of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS)

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Presentation on theme: "Guidelines on Best Available Techniques and Guidance on Best Environmental Practices for the Production and Use of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS)"— Presentation transcript:

1 Guidelines on Best Available Techniques and Guidance on Best Environmental Practices for the Production and Use of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) and related Chemicals under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants 24-Jan-11

2 2 Best available technique (BAT) & Best environmental practice (BEP) in short Better understanding of “your” PFOS chemistry (BEP) and related processes involved (BAT) Improved environmental and health awareness and concern in your daily activities Better understanding of the diversity of PFOS, specifically for your particular sector

3 3 Scope Primarily to provide Parties with detailed state-of-the-art guidance, the guidelines on BAT&BEP were developed under the Stockholm Convention and adopted by decision SC-3/5 of the Conference of the Partiesdecision SC-3/5 The concept of BAT is not aimed at the prescription of any specific technique or technology. BAT means the most effective and advanced techniques available in addition to the practical suitability of particular techniques BEP describes the application of the most appropriate combination of environmental control measures and strategies (Article 5, f (v))

4 4 Structure of the guidance document Section I of this document is an introduction and includes the purpose and structure of this document; a brief description of the characteristics and uses of PFOS; directly relevant provisions of the Stockholm Convention, Article and Annex B and C and a summary of required measures under these provisions Section II provides a description of the various processes PFOS are used in and guidance on the consideration of alternatives for these processes Section III includes general guidance, applicable principles and descriptions of considerations that cut across multiple process categories Section IV contains specific guidance for process categories listed in Section II of this document Section V of this guidance document provides general guidance on Best Environmental Practice for the management of PFOS

5 5 What is PFOS? PFOS is a fully fluorinated anionic substance, which is commonly used as a salt or incorporated into larger polymers PFOS and its closely related compounds, which may contain PFOS impurities or substances that can result in PFOS, are members of the large family of perfluoroalkyl sulfonate substances PFOS is very persistent and has substantial bioaccumulations and biomagnifying properties, although it does not follow the classic pattern of other POPs by partitioning into fatty tissues, but instead binds to proteins in the blood and liver PFOS has a capacity to undergo long-range transport and also fulfills the toxicity criteria of the Stockholm Convention

6 6 Uses of PFOS PFOS related substances are used in a wide range of products where PFOS is both intentionally produced and an unintended degradation product of related anthropogenic chemicals. PFOS can be formed by degradation from a large group of related substances, referred to as PFOS related substances, and is a member of a larger family of perflouroalkyl sulphonate (PFAS) Some uses are: – pesticide (baits for leaf-cutting ants) – surfactant, wetting agent, mist suppressing agent – additive in aviation hydraulic fluid production – textile, paper and leather industry – fire-fighting foam – rubber and plastic industry – semiconductor and photographic industry – minor use as an oil well stimulating agent

7 7 Obligations for PFOS under the Stockholm Convention PFOS is still produced in several countries The listing or non-listing of uses for acceptable purposes or specific exemptions in the Convention is included to the Convention and its obligations The use categories not listed in the convention are banned uses Alternatives to PFOS are available for some applications but not to all especially in developing countries, where they still need to be phased in Such applications like photo imaging, use for semi-conductors or aviation hydraulic fluids are considered as acceptable purposes, because for these, technically feasible alternatives to PFOS are not commercially available to date

8 8 Acceptable purposes Acceptable Purposes – Photo-imaging – Photo-resist and anti-reflective coatings for semi-conductors – Etching agent for compound semiconductors and ceramic filters – Aviation hydraulic fluids – Metal plating (hard metal plating) only in closed-loop systems – Certain medical devices (such as ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE) layers and radio opaque ETFE production, in-vitro diagnostic medical devices, and CCD colour filters) – Insect baits for control of leaf-cutting ants from Atta spp. and Acromyrmex spp. – Fire-fighting foams

9 9 Exempted purposes Exempted Purposes – Photo masks in the semiconductor and liquid crystal display (LCD) industries – Metal plating (hard metal plating) – Decorative plating of metal, rubber and plastics – Electric and electronic parts for some colour printers and colour copy machines of products – Insecticides for control of red imported fire ants and termites – Chemically driven oil production – Coatings and coating additives Coating and impregnation processes for: – Carpets – Leather and apparel – Textiles and upholstery – Paper and packaging

10 10 Fire fighting foams Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), sometimes referred to a aqueous fire-fighting foam, is a generic term for fire-fighting and/or vapor suppression products used globally to protect both lives and property AFFFs are unique amongst other fire-fighting foams in that they contain a small percentage of fluorinated surfactant (fluorosurfactant) This key ingredient brings unique performance attributes to the product that enables it to be extremely effective in preventing and extinguishing fires, especially Class B flammable liquid events AFFF products can be used in fixed and portable systems (i.e. sprinkler systems, handheld fire extinguishers, portable cylinders, fire-fighting vehicles (fire trucks), etc.) AFFF is purchased as a concentrate, typically referred to as “3%” or “6%” depending on its mixture ratio (during use) with water

11 11 Fire fighting foams: Categories Foams have been developed for both Class A (solid combustibles) Class B (flammable liquids) fires AFFFs were designed to be especially effective in dealing with Class B incidents Class B foams have two major categories: – Synthetic foams (AFFF) – Protein foams (AR-AFFF)

12 12 Choice of fire fighting foams: An introductory BEP action Is any type of foam actually needed? For example, in a Class A incident, it may not be necessary to use any foam to control the situation. If use of a foam is deemed appropriate and/or necessary, does it need to be a Class B foam? While Class B foams may be quite effective on Class A fires, other techniques may be equally effective and more appropriate. If a Class B (flammable liquids) situation presents itself, which type of Class B foam would be most appropriate and most effective? For situations calling for the use of AFFF or AR-AFFF, has consideration been given to using the latest products available on the market? This question may also surface as the inventory of existing AFFF ages and routine performance evaluations may point to the need to replace product.

13 13 BAT/BEP measures for fire fighting foams Inventory review and identification Training with foams Testing of Fire Protection Systems Evaluation of Sprinkler Systems Preventative maintenance Prevention of unintended releases – Avoidance of secondary contaminants – Container integrity – Responses to releases Waste management

14 14 Electroplating Electroplating is carried out on metals, plastics and rubber. Some categories are: – Hard metal plating with chromium-VI – Decorative electroplating with chromium-VI or chromium-III PFOS is useful as a surfactant or wetting agent in the electroplating industry: – to achieve uniform thickness of the plating or uniform chemical attack – serves as mist-suppressing agent so as not to contaminate nearby baths and to reduce the losses by drag-out – PFOS is used to decrease aerosol emissions in chromium-VI plating and improves the work environment

15 15 Electroplating PFOS was previously used for decorative chrome plating, but new technology using chromium-III instead of chromium-VI has made the use of PFOS in decorative chrome plating in most cases obsolete For hard chrome plating the use of chromium-III does not work. However, there are some kinds of non-PFOS agents being used in decorative and hard chrome plating Non-fluorinated emerging alternatives for decorative chromium plating and hard chromium are available on the European market

16 16 BAT/BEP measures for electroplating Apply new technology using chromium-III instead of chromium-VI in decorative metal plating process Apply closed loop system to replace the traditional open system in hard metal plating process Substitute PFOS mist suppressing agent with available non-PFOS agent in hard metal plating processes Provide additional extraction ventilation and/or greater tank enclosure to reduce the exposure of chromium-VI emission to acceptable levels when using chromium-VI both for decorative and hard metal plating Collect and dispose the waste from the metal plating process using PFOS in environmental sound manner

17 17 Insecticides Sulfluramides are used as insecticides and similarly as surfactants such as: – N-Ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide (EtFOSA; sulfluramid; CAS no. 4151-50-2) is used as active ingredient in the manufacturing of ant baits for the control of leaf-cutting ants from the genus Atta (saúvas) and Acromyrmex (quenquéns) – (perfluorooctyl sulfonyl fluoride - PFOSF, CAS No 307-35-7) – Some “inert” surfactants (enhancers) PFOS-related substances potassium N- ethyl-N-[(heptadecafluorooctyl) sulfonyl] glycinate (CAS no. 2991-51-7) and 3- [[(heptadecafluorooctyl)sulfonyl]amino]-N,N,N-trimethyl 1 ‑ propanaminium iodide (CAS no. 1652-63-7)

18 18 BAT/BEP measures for insecticides The BEP for ant baits application uses no releases mechanism that include applying the baits in a directed manner that aims at rationalizing the use of granulated bait by leaf-cutting ant monitoring systems The development and application of this tool in companies can present more specific features due to regional conditions, but it generally consists of the following actions: – Assessment of infestation in the areas – Estimation of bait consumption – Qualification and periodical training of control teams – Recommendation of method and period for application – Assessment of bait consumption and control efficiency – Elaboration of a database for constant improvement of monitoring – Health safety for the safety of appliers concerning health hazards – The use of personal protection equipment, such as boots, gloves, protective masks and long-sleeve overalls, as specified in the product label

19 19 Coating and impregnation items: Carpets, leather apparel, textiles and upholstery, and paper and packaging Fluorinated finishes are the only technology known to deliver durable and effective oil and water repellence and release properties Historically, fluorinated polymers based on PFOS electrochemical fluorination chemistry have been used but up to 2 wt% could be present in products In addition, fluorotelomer-based polymers have also been used Major manufacturers in conjunction with global regulators have agreed to discontinue the manufacture of “long-chain” fluorinated products, such as PFOS related chemicals, and move to “short-chain” fluorinated products New short-chain products currently define the BAT to achieve the needed performance effects, have been approved for manufacture, sale and use, and have been demonstrated to deliver the desired performance in textiles, leather, paper and carpet applications

20 20 BAT/BEP measures for coating and impregnation items Use of fluorochemicals that do not contain, transform into or do not emit PFOS Use new C6-polymers from telomerisation and C4-products from electrofluorination that cannot break down into PFOA and PFOS and are technically acceptable alternatives Minimize and optimization the chemicals used: – avoid surplus of applied chemicals and auxiliaries – use crosslinking agents that help with the film-formation and increase washing-durability – use extenders with the ability of improving the self-organisation of the FC-polymer and safe fluorocarbon-polymer – work with proper curing-conditions to get an optimum orientation and crosslinking of the fluorocarbon-finish on the textile – make sure that the fabric for the application is free of substances that could disturb the self-organisation of the fluorocarbon, such as detergents or rewetting agents – if possible avoid spray application

21 21 Electronic industry Electrical and electronic equipment often requires hundreds of parts and thousands of processes PFOS-based chemicals are used in the manufacturing of digital cameras, cell phones, printers, scanners, satellite communication systems, radar systems, etc. The PFOS-related compounds are process chemicals, and the final products are mostly PFOS-free PFOS have many different uses in the electronic industry and is involved in a large part of the production processes needed for electric and electronic parts such as the semiconductor and photographic industry

22 22 BAT/BEP measures for the semiconductor industry A management system should be implemented concerning safe handling PFOS that address the following matters pertaining to the: – indication of the storage or storage location of PFOS and pollutants – transport of PFOS – refill of PFOS – measures relating to equipment that uses PFOS – inspection of containers or equipment that are used for the handling of PFOS – measures to deal with leakage relating to the handling of PFOS – confirmation of release amounts of PFOS – recording and retaining of books about PFOS

23 23 Photographic industry Surfactants in photographic industry are used in coatings for surface tension, static discharge, and adhesion control for analogue and digital imaging films, papers, and printing plates, or as a surfactant in mixtures used to process imaging films PFOS-based chemicals are used for the following purposes in mixtures, in coatings applied to photographic films, papers, and printing plates: −Surfactants −Electrostatic charge control agents −Friction control agents −Dirt repellent agents −Adhesion control agents

24 24 BAT/BEP measures for the photographic industry A management system should be implemented concerning safe handling of PFOS that include controlled storage, refill and transport of PFOS, include the following items: – Recover used developing solutions and fixing solution – Controlled measures pertaining to photographic developing work – Measures pertaining to equipment that develops photographic film for industry – Controlled storage of pollutants pertaining to photographic developing work – Indication (label) of a container that stores pollutants pertaining to photographic developing work – Register amounts of photographic film for industry pertaining to photographic developing – Inspection of equipment pertaining to photographic developing work

25 25 Structure of the guidance document Section I: Introduction Section II: Process Descriptions and Alternatives Section III: General BAT/BEP Concerns for Chemicals Management Section IV: Specific BAT/BEP Measures by Process Category Section V: Guidance/Guidelines on Best Environmental Practice

26 26 Thank you! For more information, please contact: Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention 11-13, Chemin des Anémones - 1219 Châtelaine, Switzerland Tel.: +41 (0)22 917 8729 - Fax: +41 (0)22 917 8098 E-mail: ssc@pops.int, Website: www.pops.intssc@pops.intwww.pops.int


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