perfluorooctanesulfonic acid

noun

per·​fluo·​ro·​oc·​tane·​sul·​fon·​ic acid pər-ˌflȯr-ō-ˈäk-ˌtān-ˌsəl-ˈfä-nik- 

-ˌflu̇r-,

-ˈfō-

variants or perfluorooctane sulfonic acid

: a fluorinated sulfonic acid C₈HF₁₇O₃S that is a member of the PFAS group and that has been used especially for its water and stain resistance (as in carpeting and food packaging) and as a surfactant (as in firefighting foam and alkaline cleaning products) : PFOS

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid is a key ingredient in stain-resistant fabrics, including carpets and upholstery.

—Gary Feldman

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is a widely used chemical with applications as a wetting and foaming agent and as a precursor of surfactants and pesticides.

—Philippe Tony Hoff

Two of the most widely used PFAS compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), have been banned but persist in the environment …

—Frank Kummer

called also perfluorooctane sulfonate

Examples of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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 participants in Lindhardt’s study had high levels of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in their blood due to eating meat from cattle that fed in grassy areas where firefighters tested PFAS-containing foam. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above