er! uorinated compounds
(PFCs) are manmade
compounds, based on the
element ! uorine, which
are widely used to create
water and soil repellency in fabrics such
as Crypton® and Crypton Green®, Te! on®,
Gore™, Stainmaster®, Scotchgard™, and in
nanotech products such as Nano-Tex™ and
GreenShield™. PFC " nishes are popular
for their performance in the high tra# c
environment associated with hospitals
and medical facilities. They are also used
in a variety of specialty applications
like insecticides and " re " ghting foams.
Scientists have raised concerns about
PFCs because they are persistent,
bioaccumulative, and toxic.
Moreover, biomonitoring studies con" rm
widespread human exposure to this class
of compounds. This fact sheet brie! y
summarizes hazard and exposure data
for the two most widely used PFCs and
concerns related to alternatives.