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Chemical Name: Perfluorononanoic Acid
Other Names: PFNA, Nonanoic acid, perfluoro-
Chemical Formula: C9HF17O2
Physical Appearance: White powder or solid with no noticeable odor
Common Uses: Manufacturing of fluoropolymers, surfactants for specialty coatings, stain-resistant treatments, and as an intermediate in industrial chemical processes
Health Hazards: Exposure often irritates eyes, skin, and respiratory tract; long-term contact links with hormone disruption and liver toxicity; animal studies have found reproductive effects and developmental toxicity
Environmental Hazards: Extremely persistent in soil and water; accumulates in living organisms; suspected to cause damage to aquatic environments even in low concentrations
GHS Pictograms: Corrosive, health hazard, environmental hazard symbols are all relevant for this chemical
Main Ingredient: Perfluorononanoic Acid (CAS 375-95-1)
Purity: Usually above 95% in industrial grades; traces of related perfluorinated compounds and water possible
Inhalation: Get fresh air without delay; anyone who feels dizziness or throat irritation should move outdoors and rest
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothes; wash skin thoroughly with soap and water; medical attention matters for redness or blistering
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently and continuously with clean water for at least 15 minutes; get medical advice right away
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth; seek immediate professional health care for assessment
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, foam, carbon dioxide; water spray useful for cooling surfaces
Specific Hazards: Produces toxic hydrogen fluoride and carbon oxyfluoride gases in a fire
Protective Equipment: Full face respirator, chemical-resistant suit, and gloves all play a role in fighting fires near this acid; avoid inhaling gases or dust
Spill Response: Small powders: dampen carefully to avoid dust; shovel into secure chemical waste containers
Personal Protection: Wear suitable gloves, eye protection, and a well-fitted respirator; keep unnecessary people away, ventilate area
Environmental Precautions: Block runoff into water systems and soil; report large spills to local authorities; handle waste as hazardous
Safe Handling: Use the chemical inside dedicated fume hoods or ventilated areas; avoid direct skin and eye contact; limit airborne dust generation
Storage Advice: Keep in closed, corrosion-resistant containers; store in cool, dry places without contact with oxidizers, acids, or bases
Recommended PPE: Laboratory workers need gloves made of nitrile or neoprene, chemical splash goggles, and long-sleeved lab coats; respirators for airborne dusts
Engineering Controls: Good fume extraction and localized ventilation protects air quality; use spill trays under containers
Exposure Limits: No official OSHA or ACGIH limits, but industrial best practice involves keeping amounts airborne as low as reasonably possible; blood monitoring proves important in high-risk jobs
Appearance: White, crystalline, or powdery solid
Melting Point: Approx. 103–105°C
Boiling Point: Over 190°C under reduced pressure, but decomposition may occur before boiling at normal pressure
Solubility: Very low in water, higher in organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: Extremely low at room temperature
Odor: Odorless
pH: Acidic when dissolved in water
Chemical Stability: Stands up to standard storage conditions
Reactiveness: Reacts with strong bases and oxidizers; may break down under high heat
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen fluoride gas and carbon oxyfluorides given off during combustion or strong heating
Short-Term Exposure: Eye, skin, and lung irritation; in large enough doses, stomach upset after swallowing
Long-Term Exposure: Ongoing studies link PFNA to liver changes, developmental and immune system effects, and possibly cancer in experimental animals; humans exposed in the workplace or through contaminated water can show higher blood levels and increased risk of thyroid or cholesterol changes
Absorption Routes: Inhalation, ingestion, skin contact all provide ways into the body
Bioaccumulation: This compound builds up in blood and tissue over many years, raising health concerns
Persistence: Highly resistant to breakdown; remains in soil and water decades after use
Movement in Environment: Flows easily with water into rivers and lakes; migrates into groundwater
Bioaccumulation: Measured at high levels in fish, birds, and some mammals near contaminated sites; risk of moving up the food chain into humans
Toxic to Aquatic Life: Even low concentrations disrupt fish development and cause chronic harm to small aquatic organisms
Waste Handling: Treat as hazardous waste under most national and regional guidelines
Preferred Disposal: Incineration at licensed high-temperature facilities with scrubbers for hydrogen fluoride; landfilling only in lined, regulated sites, though long-term release always remains a risk; never dispose of in regular trash or down any drain
Regulation: Strict disposal instructions from government agencies in the US, EU, and elsewhere, pressing for tracking and control at every step
Shipping Requirements: Label freight with clear hazardous chemical marking; keep secure and dry during transit
Environmental Risk: Avoid spills—leaks can travel far in rainwater runoff
Packing Recommendations: Containers should resist corrosion and physical stress; drivers and handlers must have spill training for emergencies
Classification: Many countries classify PFNA as a hazardous substance needing strict reporting and handling; recent years saw proposals for listing as a substance of very high concern in the EU, and increased scrutiny by the US EPA
Restrictions: Large-scale uses face bans or phase-outs in some areas; growing pressure for cleaner alternatives
Worker Rights: Workers handling PFNA have legal protections for right-to-know, health monitoring, and proper training under occupational safety laws
