Sources

There are no known natural sources of long-chain (C9-C20) PFCAs, their salts and their precursors (Kissa 1994). Their presence in the environment is due solely to human activity. In 2000, an industry survey by Environment Canada under the authority of section 71 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (Canada 1999) identified 256 perfluoroalkyl compounds to be in commerce in Canada for the calendar years 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000 (Environment Canada 2001). Long-chain (C9-C20) PFCAs were not reported to be manufactured or imported into Canada. In 2004, another industry survey by Environment Canada of perfluroalkyl and fluoroalkyl substances also found long-chain (C9–C20) PFCAs were not reported to be manufactured or imported in Canada (Environment Canada 2005). In both surveys, precursors to the long-chain (C9-C20) PFCAs were reported to be imported into Canada.