Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS). POINTS OF MAJOR INTEREST AND FACTS. Background and Summary PFOA and PFOS are two of a large group of Perfluoronated Alkyl Compounds (PFACs)

PFOA and PFOS are two of a large group of Perfluoronated Alkyl Compounds (PFACs). They are synthetic chemicals used in many industrial processes and consumer products. PFACs were widely used by the military in Aqueous Film Forming Foams as firefighting agents. PFOA and PFOS are soluble in water and are very stable and resistant to degradation. Because of their persistence in the environment and mobility in water systems, these compounds are worldwide environmental contaminants and are ubiquitous in soil, water and air throughout the United States (reference 1).