A Timeline of the studies of the effects of C-8 and the subsequent regulations to limit use:
1970’s
1976: A study is conducted examining the effects of the chemical on the environment and humans. The results “are a stimulus for investigation and subsequent medical surveillance of employees in fluorochemical productions, including those [like 3M] producing POSF based materials [a precursor to PFOS chemicals].”
1979: PFOS is found in the blood of five workers at a 3M plant in Alabama.
1980’s
1980: The medical director of 3M publishes his findings that state that PFOS and similar chemicals have a half-life of between 365 and 530 days.
1983: Further studies of the blood of 3M factory workers reveal an increase in their fluorine levels. This means that the body is unable to rid itself of the chemical as fast as it comes in.
1989: A series of nine studies that started in 1972 end. The studies tracked the amount of fluorines in the blood of the general population. The results did not look good for 3M, which downplayed the studies.
1990’s and 2000’s
1997: The powerful effects of the chemical can no longer be ignored. PFOS are found in the banked blood used as a control for the study of the worker’s blood. This leads to the discovery of the widespread contamination in the environment and humans.
2000: 3M claims to not understand how PFOS got into the blood of the general population in an article published in The New York Times. However, that truth is widely disputed.
2001: 3M begins to phase out the use of PFOS.
Now: All eyes are on the six other major producers of the chemical as countries begin to plan for the restriction of these chemicals.
See the article below to learn about PFOS (C-8)