Associated Press, Randall Chase
Published January 26, 2006
DOVER, Del. - The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday asked DuPont and seven other chemical companies to work to eliminate use of a chemical that is a key ingredient in the production of Teflon but may pose potential health risks to humans.
EPA administrator Stephen Johnson sent letters to DuPont and the other companies Wednesday asking them to commit to the voluntary program by March 1.
DuPont, one of the largest users of PFOA, has agreed to participate in the program, which EPA officials announced in a teleconference with reporters.
While DuPont has eliminated environmental emissions of PFOA by more than 90 percent in recent years, it does not believe it can eliminate using PFOA to make products any time soon.
PFOA is a processing aid used in the manufacturing of fluoropolymers, which have a wide variety of product applications, including nonstick cookware. The chemical also can be a byproduct in the manufacturing of fluorotelomers used in surface protection products for applications such as stain-resistant textiles and grease-resistant food wrapping.
The board's preliminary finding went beyond the EPA's own determination that there was only "suggestive evidence" from animal studies that perfluorooctanoic acid and its salts are potential human carcinogens.
DuPont agreed last month to pay $10.25 million in fines and $6.25 million for environmental projects to settle allegations by the EPA that the company hid information about the health risks of PFOA.
"We know there are questions out there in the public, and this is part of DuPont's use of science to come up with solutions," said DuPont vice president Susan Stalnecker, adding that the company is confident it can meet the goals of EPA's new initiative.
Meanwhile, Hazen said the EPA is working to add PFOA to the agency's Toxic Release Inventory.
The Environmental Working Group, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group that helped prompt EPA's scrutiny of PFOA, applauded the agency and DuPont for their leadership in establishing the stewardship program.
"We will watch it very carefully," said EWG president Ken Cook. "We're taking nothing for granted."
This article ran in the following 53 outlets (if no headline is listed, headline was the same as listed above):
Print:
Washington Post, "EPA Unveils Plan to Rid Use of Chemical"
USA Today, "EPA tries to curb use of Teflon chemical"
Houston Chronicle, "EPA Unveils Plan to Rid Use of Chemical"
Baltimore Sun, "EPA presses initiative to halt use of Teflon chemical"
Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio), "DuPont agrees to try to reduce chemical in Teflon as part of voluntary EPA program"
Charlotte Observer, "DuPont agrees to try to reduce chemical in Teflon as part of voluntary EPA program"
Miami Herald
Macon Telegraph (Ga.)
Kansas City Star
Kentucky.com
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Ga.)
Myrtle Beach Sun News (S.C.)
Belleville News Democrat (Ill.)
Ft. Wayne News Sentinel (Ill.)
Press of Atlantic City (N.J.), "EPA unveils plan to rid use of chemical"
Grand Forks Herald (N.D.), "EPA unveils plan to rid use of chemical"
Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, "EPA unveils plan to rid use of chemical"
MLive.com (Mich.), "EPA unveils plan to rid use of chemical"
Gadsden Times (Ala.), "EPA unveils plan to rid use of chemical"
Worcester Telegram (Mass.), "EPA unveils plan to rid use of chemical"
Florence Times Daily (Ala.), "EPA unveils plan to rid use of chemical"
Ceres Courier (Calif.)
San Jose Mercury News
San Luis Obispo Tribune (Calif.)
The State (S.C.)
Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette (Ind.)
Lexington Dispatch (N.C.)
Centre Daily Times (Penn.)
Fargo Forum (N.D.)
Carthage Press (Mo.)
Mexico Ledger (Mo.)
Porterville Recorder (Calif.)
Lakeland Ledger (Fla.)
Hazleton Standard-Speaker (Penn.), "EPA initiative takes aim at Teflon chemical"
Ely Times & County (Nev.)
Conservative Voice (N.C.)
Marietta Times, "EPA enlists DuPont on C8"
Forbes
BusinessWeek
International:
The Asian Age, "DuPont to reduce chemicals in Teflon"
Calgary Sun, "US EPA announces initiative to eliminate use of Teflon chemical"
Canada.com, "US EPA announces initiative to eliminate use of Teflon chemical"
TV:
CBS News, "EPA Wants To Eliminate Teflon Chemical"
ABC News
MSNBC, "EPA initiative takes aim at Teflon chemical"
ABC 13 Toledo, "DuPont agrees to try to cut a chemical in Teflon"
ABC 7 New York, "DuPont agrees to try to cut a chemical in Teflon"
ABC 12 Flint/Saginaw/Bay City (Mich.), "DuPont agrees to try to cut a chemical in Teflon"
ABC 7 Los Angeles, "DuPont agrees to try to cut a chemical in Teflon"
FOX 23 Albany
ABC 7 D.C.
Phillyburbs.com
