Hexafluoropropylene Oxide Dimer Acid (GenX) (HFPO-DA)
HFPO-DA, commercially known as GenX, is a PFAS compound developed by Chemours (a DuPont spin-off) as a replacement for PFOA in the production of Teflon and other fluoropolymers. It gained public attention after being found in the Cape Fear River in North Carolina at levels exceeding health guidelines, contaminating drinking water for communities including Wilmington, NC. Despite being marketed as a safer alternative, GenX is now regulated under the 2024 EPA rule with a 10 ppt MCL. GenX is included in the EPA hazard index rule and is monitored under UCMR5. Its short biological half-life in humans (~2.7 days) does not necessarily mean it is safe, as continuous environmental exposure results in ongoing body burden.
Where HFPO-DA comes from
Common uses
- Chemours Teflon manufacturing replacement for PFOA
- Fluoropolymer processing aid
- Industrial coatings
Industries
- Chemical manufacturing
- Industrial coatings
Health effects of HFPO-DA exposure
Short-term effects
- Liver toxicity
- Kidney effects
Long-term effects
- Liver cancer (in animal studies)
- Kidney tumors (in animal studies)
- Immune suppression
- Developmental effects
Most vulnerable populations
- People near fluoropolymer manufacturing plants
- North Carolina Cape Fear River basin residents
- Pregnant women
- Children
How to remove HFPO-DA from drinking water
- Reverse osmosis
- 92% removal
- Activated carbon
- 70% removal
- Ion exchange
- 93% removal
Stricter state limits
- North Carolina
- 140 ppt
Is HFPO-DA in your water? – Enter your ZIP at KnowYourExposure to see your local EPA test results.