Is 4:2 FTS (4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate) safe for dogs and cats?

What is 4:2 fts (4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate)?

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

Also known as: 4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid, 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-nonafluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid, DTXSID30891564.

IUPAC name

3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-nonafluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid

CAS number

757124-72-4

Molecular formula

C6H5F9O3S

Molecular weight

328.15 g/mol

SMILES

C(CS(=O)(=O)O)C(C(C(C(F)(F)F)(F)F)(F)F)(F)F

PubChem CID

20734543

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified 4:2 FTS (4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate).

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 pets encounter 4:2 fts (4:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate)

• Firefighting Foam — AFFF formulations, Fire training areas
  Component of both legacy and current-generation AFFF
• Drinking Water — AFFF-impacted groundwater
  EPA UCMR5 analyte

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to 4:2 FTS (4:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonate):

• Fluorine-free firefighting foam (F3)
  Trade-offs: Functional performance and cost-effectiveness may vary by application.
  Relative cost: Lower (ingredient elimination)

Frequently asked questions