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Engineering doi: 10.1016/j.eng.2024.01.013

Snapshot Survey of the Presence of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Products, Articles, and the Environment in Ecuador

a Örebro University, School of Science and Technology, MTM Research Centre, Örebro 70182, Sweden
b Undersecretariat of Environmental Quality, Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition of Ecuador, Calle Madrid 1159 y Andalucía, Quito 170525, Ecuador
c The Technical University of Ambato. Department of Environmental Chemistry, Huachi Campus, Ambato 180207, Ecuador
d Alternativavision Ambiental Cia. Ltda, Matías Romero 1207-1 Col del Valle, México 03100, México

Received: 2023-04-26 Revised: 2023-10-30 Accepted: 2024-01-04 Available online: 2024-02-22

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Abstract

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is a legally binding instrument for 186 Parties (status: April 2023). Accordingly, among other responsibilities, countries are obliged to report the production, import, or export of the POPs listed in Annexes A, B, or C; provide information to registers; maintain inventories; and monitor the presence of POPs in the environment. In the broader context of international chemicals and waste management, producer responsibilities, harmonized reporting, and compliance with national and international regulations, Ecuador has addressed the newly listed group of perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in its national implementation plan and sent selected products from its national market for PFAS analysis. The products analyzed came from the initially listed fields of specific exemptions and acceptable purposes, including: fire-fighting foams; photographic aids; greasers/degreasers; various kinds of paper/packaging; textiles; and leather, coatings, cleaners, metal plating, and pesticides. Our results showed that the three PFAS presently listed in the Stockholm Convention could be quantified in only a few samples; additional PFAS, not yet listed in the Convention also had low detection frequencies. Although the number of samples was limited, the samples covered a large spectrum of sample matrices, making it possible to conclude that—once these products become waste and are regulated under the Basel Convention—they would not constitute a disposal problem. Nevertheless, verification of the presence of PFAS in products on the market is expected to pose an analytical challenge for both, developed and developing countries.

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