News Coverage
EPA Launches Probe Into Chemical Found In Many Products
Published April 13, 2003
The Environmental Protection Agency said Monday it is launching its most extensive overview ever of the chemical ingredient found in nonstick pots, stain-resistant carpet, Teflon and several other household and industrial products because early studies point to possible health risks.
The EPA released its preliminary assessment of the chemical perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, found in many products, including DuPont Co.'s (DD) Teflon and Stainmaster. The agency plans to review available facts and is also calling for the public to submit more information on PFOA.
"The agency is interested in collecting additional information because new laboratory studies recently evaluated by the agency shows that PFOA may cause developmental toxicity and other health effects," the EPA said in a release. "Further, the available data indicate that the general U.S. population may be exposed to PFOA at very low levels."
PFOA is used during the manufacturing process in a large number of products and may be formed when certain industrial chemicals break down.
The EPA said it hasn't determined whether PFOA poses an unreasonable risk to the public and "does not believe there is any reason for consumers to stop using any consumer- or industrial-related products."
DuPont said it fully supports the EPA regulating PFOA, which hasn't been regulated in the 50 years it has been used, said Richard Anguillo, a DuPont vice president and general manager. DuPont also will submit research to the EPA, the release said.
"This is a major announcement against a major class of chemicals," said Richard Wiles, senior vice president of the Environmental Working Group , a not-for-profit research organization. "A gigantic sector of the economy uses this. It's in hundreds of consumer products.
"This chemical is in the blood of everyone in the U.S., and it never goes away. It doesn't degrade."