An investigation by Greenpeace Taiwan found polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) — toxic and bioaccumulative chemicals frequently used in conjunction with water-resistant textiles — present at three out of five mountainous areas that were tested, with the organization urging outdoor-equipment manufacturers to phase out the chemicals.
The organization in July collected water samples at Jhensibao (鎮西堡) in Hsinchu County, Mukumugi Valley (慕谷慕魚) in Hualien County, Cueifong Lake (翠峰湖) in Yilan County, and Lilong Mountain (里龍山) and Nanjen Lake (南仁湖) in Pingtung County, which were tested for 19 types of PFCs.
A total of one, 12 and 13 types of PFCs were found at Lilong Mountain, Nanjen Lake and Cueifong Lake respectively, suggesting the chemicals have reached remote areas, despite concentration levels generally measuring below 2 nanograms per liter, said Chen Ling-yao (陳玲瑤), the organization’s pollution prevention project manager.
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid, the two most commonly used chemicals, are endocrine disruptors, which can have toxic effects on the liver, kidney and thyroid, and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and several types of cancer, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital department of clinical toxicology director Yen Tsung-hai (顏宗海) said.
PFOS is one of the three regulated toxic substances of PFC classes in Taiwan, with the substance allowed for use in producing clothing, firefighting foam, semiconductors and metallic coatings, according to the Environmental Protection Administration.
Factory emissions are the main cause of the dissemination of the chemicals, which enter the environment in gaseous form and are transported by wind and air currents, while humans can absorb PFCs if the substances enter drinking water or the food chain, Chen said, adding that wearing clothing with a PFC coating poses little health risk.
The organization calls on manufacturers to disclose the chemicals they use, replace PFCs with harmless and environmentally friendly substitutes, and schedule a timetable to phase out PFCs, Chen said.
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