Eurofins | BLC PFOA / PFOS testing services – Leather and textile testing
PFOS testing can be carried out by Eurofins | BLC to accurately test leather and textiles to 1µg/m2 using Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). This ability to measure in such fine quantities enables Eurofins | BLC to identify even the smallest quantity of PFOS in your products. Eurofins | BLC test leather and textile products in the following categories for PFOS:
- Footwear
- Clothing
- Bags and luggage
- Leathergoods
- Jewellery
- Upholstery
Being able to test consumer products to for PFOA / PFOS to 1µg/m2, enables Eurofins | BLC to provide greater support to customers with international chemical and product safety legislation compliance.
Eurofins | BLC can carry out your PFOA / PFOS test in 3-5 working days. A next day express service is also available.
Get a quote for PFOA / PFOS testing in leather and textiles
What is Perfluorooctane sulfonic acids (PFOS)?
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acids (PFOS) are anions that are commercially available in the form of salts, derivatives and polymers. The major uses for PFOS-related substances are in providing grease, oil and water resistance to materials such as textiles, carpets, paper and in general coatings. Other smaller volume uses are in chromium plating, photography, photolithography, fire fighting foams and in hydraulic fluids for aviation.
Why carry out PFOS testing on consumer products?
PFOS has been classified as persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT) and, as a result, has been restricted under Annex XVII of REACH.
PFOS is regulated as a Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP) and many of its previous uses are banned. The EU POPs Regulation allows certain uses of PFOS to continue because assessments have shown that the environmental risks can be mitigated and do not outweigh the potential risks to human health as there are no recognised alternatives at this time. Uses which are currently exempt from the PFOS ban are as follows:
- Photoresists or anti-reflective coatings for photolithography processes
- Photographic coatings applied to films, papers, or printing plates
- Mist suppressants for non-decorative hard chromium (VI) plating and wetting agents for use in controlled electroplating systems where the amount of PFOS released into the environment is minimised
- Hydraulic fluids for aviation
Anyone within the supply chain involved with a PFOS material that is covered by an exemption must make sure they manage their stocks and wastes as prescribed by the EU POPs Regulation, and test products accordingly.
Risks of non-compliance
PFOS has been found to be moderately toxic following ingestion, causing effects on the liver and gastrointestinal tract, with hepatotoxicity identified as the main health effect. In addition to this, at very high exposure levels PFOS has carcinogenic properties. It has also been found that dermal exposure can lead to skin irritation.
Furthermore PFOS compounds break down into Perfluorooctane sulfonate – a chemical that is a persistent organic pollutant (POP). Once POPs are in the environment, they are very difficult to get rid of. They can cross international boundaries by air and water currents and bioaccumulate to toxic levels in plants and animals.
Why choose Eurofins | BLC to conduct your chemical testing and analysis?
- Leather and textile testing to 1µg/m2
- One of the fastest testing laboratories in Europe
- Experts in chemical testing and compliance – over 95 years’ experience
- Technical support and guidance if and when failures occur
- Solutions to cleanse and reduce toxic chemicals from your supply chain
- Expert advice and solutions on legislation and supply chain compliance
- Access to chemical supply chain specifications