PFAS

June 16, 2023 | Written by GreenSoft Technology, Inc.

Identifying PFAS Chemicals in Electronics: A Crucial Step in Preparing for PFAS Regulations

GreenSoft Technology analyzed our parts database to identify the most common parts and substances containing PFAS

In recent years, there has been a growing concern regarding the presence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals in various products, including electronics.

Due to their persistence and adverse health effects, PFAS “forever chemicals” have gained traction in the media, and regulatory bodies across the globe are enacting new regulations to ban or regulate the use of PFAS chemicals.

GreenSoft Technology has conducted a comprehensive search in our Full Material Declaration (FMD) database, which contains information on over 11 million components, to identify parts that contain PFAS chemicals. We based our analysis on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Master List of PFAS Chemicals, which identifies over 12,000 PFAS chemicals, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) list, which identifies over 4,700 PFAS chemicals.

Our study found that 56 types of PFAS chemicals were commonly found to be present in 27 different categories of products, and over 7,000 parts in our FMD database were found to contain one or more PFAS chemicals. This data provides valuable insights for electronics manufacturers, enabling you to proactively prepare for upcoming PFAS bans and regulatory deadlines.

Identifying the most common parts containing PFAS

The analysis of our FMD database revealed three types of parts most likely to contain PFAS chemicals: capacitors, connectors, and cables/cable assemblies.

Capacitors: Out of the 11 million parts in our FMD database, 1,752 were found to contain PFAS chemicals. Capacitors, widely used in electronic circuits for energy storage and filtering, were the most common parts associated with PFAS.

Connectors: The search identified 1,549 connector parts containing PFAS chemicals. Connectors play a crucial role in establishing electrical connections between different components and devices.

Cables/Cable Assemblies: Our analysis found that 1,288 cable/cable assembly parts contained PFAS chemicals. Cables are essential for transmitting signals and power within electronic systems, making their identification vital for compliance efforts.

Other parts found to contain PFAS chemicals include Resistors (642 parts were found to contain PFAS chemicals), Mechanical Parts (612 parts were found to contain PFAS chemicals), and Transformers (429 parts were found to contain PFAS chemicals).

While the most common parts found to contain PFAS are listed above, the presence of PFAS chemicals overall was detected in 27 different part categories, including Modules, Memory Systems, ICs, Switches/Relays, Inductors, Fasteners, Filters, Other Passive Parts, Adhesives, Resins, Crystals/Oscillators, Other Active Parts, PCBs, Opto Electronics, Labels, Paints, Enclosures/Structure Support, Batteries, Discrete Semiconductors, Packaging, and Chemicals Reagents.

The prevalence of specific PFAS chemicals

Among the PFAS chemicals identified in the aforementioned parts, the most common substance present was Ethene, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-, homopolymer (PTFE with CAS Number 9002-84-0, aka Teflon), which was found in over 5,800 parts in our database.

Other PFAS substances frequently identified in the parts database include:

• 1-Propene, 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoro-, polymer with 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethene (CAS Number 25067-11-2) - present in 362 parts;
• Pentadecafluorooctanoic acid (CAS Number 335-67-1) - found in 333 parts; and,
• Propane, 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoro-3-[(1,2,2-trifluoroethenyl)oxy]-, polymer with 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethene (CAS Number 26655-00-5) - detected in 243 parts.

Overall, a total of 56 PFAS chemicals were detected in various parts in the database. The full list of PFAS chemicals detected is included in Appendix A at the bottom of this post.

Implications for electronics manufacturers

By understanding which components are likely to contain PFAS chemicals, manufacturers can take proactive steps to prepare for upcoming regulatory requirements, such as the recent PFAS regulations passed in Maine and Minnesota, or the PFAS regulation currently under review in the European Union.

GreenSoft Technology’s Data Services solution can also help companies identify PFAS in their products by collecting chemical data from your supply chain. Our data collection team will contact your suppliers to obtain data on the substances contained in your products and components. We’ll validate that data for accuracy and completeness, and check it against the EPA and OECD PFAS lists, and any other global environmental regulations that you must comply with.

With our Turnkey Service, we can generate the necessary compliance reports for you. Or you can use our GreenData Manager software to manage your company’s substance database and easily generate reports for this and other environmental regulations.

Contact us to learn more.

Appendix A: Full list of PFAS chemicals detected