News Coverage
Unhappy at teflon tag
Published July 21, 2004
United States chemical giant DuPont has accused the Chinese media of stirring up public unease over the safety of a chemical used to make teflon, a non-stick coating for frying pans.
DuPont said the media had misinterpreted a press release issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier this month.
The press release charged DuPont with failing to report test results on Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), a key ingredient used to make teflon.
The EPA said the test results suggested the chemical may pose health and environmental problems.
This misinterpretation of the EPA press release has led to unease about using non-stick cookware, Charles G. Browne, president of DuPont China Holdings Co Ltd, said at a news conference in Beijing. PFOA is not hazardous to human health.
DuPont said it would file a formal denial to the allegations within 30 days of the EPA s report.
In the wake of widespread media reports about the EPA s allegations, Chinese department stores reportedly began removing teflon-coated cookware from their shelves.
Quarantine authorities also said they would carry out tests to see whether the non-stick coating was harmful to human health.