Perfluorinated compounds in offshore fire-fighting foams – a source for marine contamination?

[Introduction]: "Per- and polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are synthetic chemicals with a variety of applications as surface treatments, paper protectors and performance chemicals [1]. PFCs have the unique ability to repel both oil and water making them ideal candidates for surface protection of e.g. textiles or paper [2]. Their applications also include their use as speciality surfactants, for example, in cosmetics and electronics, as well as their use in Aqueous Film Forming Foamers (AFFF) [2,3]. Since the early 2000s, increasing evidence has been published that PFCs and, particularly, the historically used perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS), are persistent in the environment and can fulfil the Stockholm Convention criteria for bioaccumulative and toxic, leading to the listing of PFOS as persistent organic pollutant (POP) under the Stockholm Convention in 2010 [4]. The restriction of PFOS was successfully implemented, however, replacement PFCs were quickly introduced and have since been increasing in production and use [5]. A variety of potential sources have been investigated as potential emission pathways for PFOS and its replacement PFCs to the marine environment. Potential sources include releases during manufacturing and application processes [6], leaching from products and long-range atmospheric transport [7]. However, there has, so far, been limited research regarding the potential impact of direct discharge of PFC containing products into the marine environment; through e.g. the use of fire-fighting foams on offshore platforms."