The study focused on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) present in textiles of outdoor wear. A method was developed, optimized and validated for the analyses of PFASs in textiles.
To assess the overall performance of laboratories worldwide on PFAS analyses an interlaboratory assessment was organized including several matrices.
The effects of weathering on PFASs from outdoor wear were assessed on commercial available textile samples with an durable water repellent (DWR) coating.
The effects of aging, washing and tumble drying were determined on extractable PFAS concentrations and profiles in DWR coated textiles on polyamide and polyester fabrics, which were each coated with perfluorohexane-based short-chain side-chain fluorinated polymers (SFPs) and perfluorooctane-based long-chain SFP.
With the study described it has been shown that performing a reliable PFAS analysis remains a challenge. It has also been shown that PFASs from outdoor wear can be released, and emitted to the environment during use.