perfluorooctanoic acid

noun

per·fluo·ro·oc·ta·no·ic acid pər-ˌflȯr-ō-ˌäk-tə-ˈnō-ik-

-ˌflu̇r-

: a fluorinated carboxylic acid C₈HF₁₅O₂ that is a member of the PFAS group and that has been used especially for its water and stain resistance (as in carpeting and upholstery), as a surfactant (as in firefighting foam), as a coating for nonstick cookware, and as an emulsifier in the synthesis of fluorinated polymers : PFOA

At issue is perfluorooctanoic acid (or PFOA) used in the manufacture of Teflon and other nonstick cookware.—

Avery Hurt

… the surface energy of the sample was reduced by using the aqueous solution of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) to obtain the special wettability surface.—

Wenjian Ma et al.

called also perfluorooctanoate

Examples of perfluorooctanoic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Just before Trump left the White House in 2021, his EPA determined on January 19 that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) need to be regulated in drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024 In tests, these monoliths were initially able to remove 53% of a common PFAS called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water in three hours. —

Michael Irving, New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2024 In the 36 hours that the study monitored, only about 14 percent of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which has eight carbons, was absorbed into the bloodstream but over 38 percent was absorbed into the skin. —

Amudalat Ajasa, Washington Post, 26 June 2024 The new rule announced on Friday empowers the government to force the many companies that manufacture or use perfluorooctanoic acid, also known as PFOA, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, known as PFOS, to monitor any releases into the environment and be responsible for cleaning them up. —

Coral Davenport, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024 The Environmental Protection Agency finalized an enforceable 4 parts per trillion (ppt) limit on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water. —

Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 11 Apr. 2024 August Hills' water had 2.6 ppt of PFOS and 5.28 ppt of perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA. —

The Arizona Republic, 23 Jan. 2024 Previous studies showed the chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) used to make Teflon was associated with cancer.1 This harmful chemical has since been banned. —

Kaitlin Vogel, Health, 25 Jan. 2024 Previous studies showed the chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) used to make Teflon was associated with cancer. —

Kaitlin Vogel, Health, 25 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perfluoro- "containing a relatively large amount of fluorine especially in place of hydrogen" (from per- + fluoro-) + octanoic acid "caprylic acid" (from octane + -oic)

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of perfluorooctanoic acid was in 1981

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Perfluorooctanoic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfluorooctanoic%20acid. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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