PFOS
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Chemistry
| Stands for | Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
PFOS stands for Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a chemistry abbreviation.
PFAS chemical once central to Scotchgard-type stain repellents and to firefighting foams used at airports and military bases. Runoff from foam training sites has contaminated groundwater around the world, and PFOS accumulates in fish and human blood.
Example: Wells near the air base were closed after testing detected PFOS in the groundwater.
Usage notes
3M announced in 2000 that it would phase out PFOS-based chemistry. PFOS was added to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2009. With PFOA, it is among the most studied PFAS and is regulated in US drinking water at 4 parts per trillion.
Related abbreviations
More chemistry abbreviations
- PCB – Polychlorinated biphenyl
- PE – Polyethylene
- PEG – Polyethylene glycol (laxative and bowel preparation)
- PET – Polyethylene terephthalate
- PFAS – Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
- PFOA – Perfluorooctanoic acid
- pH – Potential of hydrogen
- pKa – Acid dissociation constant (negative logarithm)
- PLA – Polylactic acid
- PMMA – Poly(methyl methacrylate)
- PP – Polypropylene
- ppt – Precipitate