Perfluoroheptanoic acid is a short-chain substance belonging to the class of Perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), a group of fully fluorinated hydrocarbons with a carboxylic acid group at the terminal end.

PFCAs have been used widely as wetting agents, lubricants, corrosion inhibitors, foam fire extinguishants, and in the manufacture of fluoropolymers due to their highly surface-active nature, chemical and thermal stabilities. Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and the environment. Animal testing has revealed a number of toxic effects caused by these compounds, particularly with regard to tumor growth and reproductive toxicity.

Perfluoroheptanoic acid is included in a variety of norms to be tested in soil, water, wastewater, sludge, food, and textiles/leather.

• ASTMD7968-17a: Determination of Polyfluorinated Compounds in Soil
• ASTMD7979-20: Determination of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Water, Sludge, Influent, Effluent, and Wastewater
• EPA533, EPA 537.1: Determination of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water
• FDAC-010.01: Determination of 16 Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Food (matrices: lettuce, milk, fish)
• ISO21675: Determination of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water(non-filtrated e.g. drinking water, natural water, wastewater containing less than 2 g/L solid particulate material
• DINEN 23702: Determination of non-volatile extractable perfluorinated and polyfluorinated substances in leather and coated leather
• DIN38407-42: Determination of selected polyfluorinated compounds in water
• DIN 38414-14: Determination of selected polyfluorinated compounds in sludge, compost, and soil

This compound is listed in the SVHC (Substances of very high concern) candidate list of ECHA (European Chemicals Agency)

The analytical standard can be used for the following:

• Decomposition of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) under sonication-assisted photocatalysis using TiO₂
• To study the toxicokinetics between perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) in male and female rats
• To assess the acute toxicity of perfluorohexanoic acid, perfluoroheptanoic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, and perfluorodecanoic acid using eukaryotic cell lines, bacteria, and enzymatic assays
• Determination of 15 selected synthetic cannabinoids and their metabolites by micellar electrokinetic chromatography-mass spectrometry using perfluoroheptanoic acid-based micellar phase
• To study the signal suppression in liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry using volatile ion-pairing reagents like trifluoroacetic acid, heptafluorobutanoic acid, and perfluoroheptanoic acid

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