The Critical Role of Commercial Analytical Reference Standards in the Control of Chemical Risks: The Case of PFAS and Ways Forward
Abstract
Background: Various countries have instituted risk governance measures to control and minimize the risks of chemicals at the national and international levels. Activities typically include risk assessment based on a) hazard and exposure assessments; b) setting limits on the production, use, and emissions of chemicals; c) enforcement of regulations; and d) monitoring the effectiveness of the measures taken. These steps largely depend on chemical analysis and access to pure chemical reference standards. However, except for specific highly regulated categories of chemicals, such reference standards often are not commercially available. This raises a critical question: Given the widespread lack of reference standards, is the current approach to governing chemicals adequate to protect humans and the environment from harm? If not, what measures could be taken to improve the situation? Objective: We outline how current chemical risk governance is hampered by the widespread lack of reference standards to produce the required scientific evidence. We also provide a list of recommendations for controlling chemical risks in the absence of reference standards. Discussion: We use per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), specifically the chemical C6O4 [perfluoro ([5-methoxy-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]oxy) acetic acid], to illustrate how companies that produce chemicals can prevent access to reference standards. We argue that the very limited availability of reference standards undermines the…
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