Fluorinated Organics in the Biosphere

TLDR

Organofluorine compounds have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants, and although they are generally recalcitrant, many are biologically active. The study aims to investigate the distribution, fate, and effects of fluorinated organics, especially the persistence of perfluoroalkyl groups and the transformation products from biotic and atmospheric processes. Volatile fluorinated compounds can oxidize in the troposphere to nonvolatile species such as trifluoroacetic acid, while nonvolatile fluorinated compounds can be biotransformed into volatile products in the biosphere. Evidence indicates that perfluoroalkyl groups resist defluorination but can impart significant biological activity.

Abstract

The use of organofluorine compounds has increased throughout this century, and they are now ubiquitous environmental contaminants. Although generally viewed as recalcitrant because of their lack of chemical reactivity, many fluorinated organics are biologically active. Several questions surround their distribution, fate, and effects. Of particular interest is the fate of perfluoroalkyl substituents, such as the trifluoromethyl group. Most evidence to date suggest that such groups resist defluorination, yet they can confer significant biological activity. Certain volatile fluorinated compounds can be oxidized in the troposphere yielding nonvolatile compounds, such as trifluoroacetic acid. In addition, certain nonvolatile fluorinated compounds can be transformed in the biosphere to volatile compounds. Research is needed to assess the fate and effects of nonvolatile fluorinated organics, the fluorinated impurities present in commercial formulations, and the transformation products generated by biochemical processes and/or oxidation in the troposphere.