Baby Safety / Compounds / PFHpS (Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid)

Is PFHpS (Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid) safe for babies and kids?

Very high risk for kids

Infants accumulate PFHpS (Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid) through breast milk (bioconcentration), placental transfer, and dust ingestion. Persistent pollutants concentrate in fatty tissues with extended half-lives in developing organisms.

What is pfhps (perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid)?

The IUPAC name is 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-tridecafluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid.

Also known as: Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, 355-46-4, 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-Tridecafluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid, Perfluorohexane-1-sulphonic acid.

IUPAC name
1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-tridecafluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid
CAS number
375-92-8
Molecular formula
C6HF13O3S
Molecular weight
400.12 g/mol
SMILES
C(C(C(C(F)(F)S(=O)(=O)O)(F)F)(F)F)(C(C(F)(F)F)(F)F)(F)F
PubChem CID
67734

Risk for babies

Very high risk

Infants accumulate PFHpS (Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid) through breast milk (bioconcentration), placental transfer, and dust ingestion. Persistent pollutants concentrate in fatty tissues with extended half-lives in developing organisms.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

High risk

PFHpS (Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid) persists in maternal adipose tissue and is mobilized during pregnancy and lactation. Lipophilic pollutants concentrate in breast milk and cross the placenta during critical developmental windows.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified PFHpS (Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid). The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EPA——
Stockholm Convention——Covered under PFOS listing as related substance

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter pfhps (perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid)

  • Drinking Water — AFFF-contaminated groundwater, Municipal water near military bases
    EPA UCMR5 analyte
  • Firefighting Foam — Legacy AFFF stockpiles, Training area runoff
    Component of legacy PFOS-based AFFF formulations

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to PFHpS (Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid):

  • Fluorine-free firefighting foams (F3)
    Trade-offs: Functional performance and cost-effectiveness may vary by application.
    Relative cost: Lower (ingredient elimination)
  • Short-chain alternatives (though also persistent)
    Trade-offs: Functional performance and cost-effectiveness may vary by application.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is pfhps (perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid) safe for kids?

Infants accumulate PFHpS (Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid) through breast milk (bioconcentration), placental transfer, and dust ingestion. Persistent pollutants concentrate in fatty tissues with extended half-lives in developing organisms.

What products contain pfhps (perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid)?

PFHpS (Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid) appears in: AFFF-contaminated groundwater (drinking water); Municipal water near military bases (drinking water); Legacy AFFF stockpiles (firefighting foam); Training area runoff (firefighting foam).

What should I do if my child is exposed to pfhps (perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid)?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See PFHpS (Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid) in the baby app

Look up products containing pfhps (perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)
  1. — expert_curation

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →