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(PFCs) are a family of fluorine-containing chemicals with unique proper es to
make materials stain and s ck resistant. PFCs are used in wide array of con-
sumer products and food packaging, such as microwave popcorn bags, pizza
boxes, and cleaning and personal-care products like shampoo, dental floss,
and denture cleaners. Even Gore-Tex clothing contains PFCs. Although these
chemicals have been used since the 1950s in countless products, they’ve
been subjected to li le government tes ng.

There are many forms of PFCs, but the two most notorious are: PFOA or per-
fluorooctanoic acid, used to make Teflon products.
PFOA is broadly toxic. It does not break down in the environment and has a
half-life in the body of more than four years. PFOA is a likely human carcino-
gen; it causes liver, pancrea c, tes cular, and mammary gland tumors in la-
boratory animals.

PFOS or perfluorooctane sulfonate, a breakdown product of chemicals, was
used un l 2002 in the manufacture of 3M’s Scotchgard treatment, used on
carpet, furniture, and clothing. PFOS causes liver and thryoid cancer in rats.
PFOS’s half-life is es mated at more than 8 years.

16.Phthalates. Phthalates, called “plas cizers,” are a group of industrial
chemicals used to make plas cs like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) more flexible or
resilient. Building materials are the largest end use for PVC. Major uses of
flexible PVC in buildings include carpet backing, resilient flooring, wall cover-
ings, acous cal ceiling surfaces, upholstery tex les, roof membranes, water-
proofing membranes, and electrical cord insula on. Phthalates are nearly
everywhere in modern society, and can also be found in toys, food packaging,
hoses, raincoats, shower curtains, vinyl flooring, adhesives, detergents, hair
spray, and shampoo. Certain phthalates are known or suspected endocrine
disruptors, meaning they impact and alter the human hormone system.
Phthalates are also suspected to be potent reproduc ve toxins, especially in
boys.

17-Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a phthalate ester, namely the diethyl ester
of phthalic acid. It is a clear substance that is liquid at room temperature and
is only slightly denser than liquid water. It has a faint, disagreeable odor and
can be transferred from the plas cs that contain it. When burned, DEP pro-

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