ABC World News Tonight, Brian Ross
Published January 26, 2006
ELIZABETH VARGAS (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) We're going to take "A Closer Look," tonight, at a hidden chemical that's been found in most of our bodies and could pose a health risk. It's found in everything from hamburger wrappers and nonstick pans to stain-resistant carpet. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency asked eight companies, including DuPont and 3M to virtually eliminate the chemical over the next nine years. ABC's chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross has been reporting on this story for more than two years. And you join us, now, with today's developments.
BRIAN ROSS (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) That's right, Elizabeth. The federal government says the science is still coming in. But there's enough health concern, already, to take this action.
BRIAN ROSS (ABC NEWS)
(Voiceover) Teflon is a $2 billion a year business, and one of the country's best-known products. What DuPont once called "the housewife's best friend."
VOICE-OVER ACTOR (FEMALE)
Cooking without Teflon just isn't any fun.
BRIAN ROSS (ABC NEWS)
(Voiceover) Today, the federal government said DuPont had voluntarily agreed to virtually eliminate, by the year 2010, any new emissions of the key Teflon chemical from its factories.
SUSAN HAZEN (ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY)
This is the right thing to do. And we are going to move forward with this.
BRIAN ROSS (ABC NEWS)
(Voiceover) Scientific studies have found that Teflon's key chemical, called PFOA, linked to cancer and organ damage in laboratory animals, is in the blood, at low levels, of almost all Americans.
KEN COOK (ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP)
It would be hard to imagine a chemical that is more widespread now in our environment. It is found everywhere, from babies in the womb in the United States and elsewhere, to whales in the ocean. And beyond that, it is indestructible in the environment. It lasts forever.
BRIAN ROSS (ABC NEWS)
(Voiceover) Federal officials say the agreement also applies to a variety of Teflon consumer products, including carpeting and clothing, food packaging, as well as Teflon pots and pans.
SUSAN HAZEN (ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY)
This program calls on virtually eliminating those uses in those products and substituting with other materials that aren't displaying any levels of concern.
BRIAN ROSS (ABC NEWS)
(Voiceover) DuPont has already paid more than $100 million to settle lawsuits brought by residents who live near a Teflon plant in West Virginia. Sue Bailey, a former DuPont plant worker, who blames the chemical for birth defects suffered by her son, Bucky, 25 years ago. Today, they called the action long overdue.
SUSAN BAILEY (FORMER DUPONT EMPLOYEE)
It's kind of a bittersweet victory; bitter because it took so long, and sweet because it's finally here.
BRIAN ROSS (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) DuPont says as it stands now, it can not make Teflon without this chemical and it's looking for a substitute. As for all those pots and pans in the homes of Americans, both DuPont and the federal government say there's no need right now Elizabeth, to throw them out.
ELIZABETH VARGAS (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) No need to throw them out, but it seems like plenty of need for concern.
BRIAN ROSS (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) Close concern.
ELIZABETH VARGAS (ABC NEWS)
(Off-camera) All right. Brian Ross, thank you.
