Toxic substances list: four fluorotelomer-based substances assessed under the New Substances Program

Fluorotelomer-based substances are industrial chemicals that belong to the broad class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a class of thousands of human-made substances. In April 2021, the Government of Canada indicated that it is considering activities that would address PFAS as a class. Visit the PFAS web page for the latest information on publications and actions taken under the Government's Chemicals Management Plan related to PFAS.

The four fluorotelomer-based substances added to the List of Toxic Substances and their associated Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers (CAS RN)^{Footnote 1} are:

1. Hexane, 1,6-diisocyanato-, homopolymer, reaction products with alpha-fluoro-omega-2-hydroxyethyl-poly(difluoro- methylene), C16-20-branched alcohols and 1-octadecanol (CAS RN 1246542-93-7)
2. 2-propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, hexadecyl ester, polymers with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, gamma-omega-perfluoro-C10-16-alkyl acrylate and stearyl methacrylate (CAS RN 203743-03-7)
3. 2-propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-methylpropyl ester, polymer with butyl 2-propenoateand 2,5 furandione, gamma-omega-perfluoro-C8-14-alkyl esters, tert-Bu benzenecarboperoxoate-initiated (CAS RN 459415-06-6)
4. 2-propen-1-ol, reaction products with pentafluoroiodoethane tetrafluoroethylene telomer,dehydroiodinated, reaction products with epichlorohydrin and triethylenetetramine (CAS RN 464178-90-3)

The four fluorotelomer-based substances are polymers that contain perfluorinated alkyl moieties (carbon atoms that are completely saturated by fluorine) through the application of fluorotelomer chemistry. It is the strength of the carbon-fluorine bonds that contributes to the extreme stability and unique properties of these fluorinated chemicals.

Fluorotelomer-based substances have water, oil, dirt and grease repellent properties. They can be found in surface treatments for:

• fabric
• leather
• rugs and carpets

They are also found in:

• stone and tile
• sizing agents (to resist the spreading and penetration of liquids) for packaging and paper products
• levelling agents (to provide an even surface) for coatings

For more information on LC-PFCAs precursors like the four fluorotelomer-based substances, please visit the Management of toxic substances web page on LC-PFCAs, their salts and precursors.