DuPont to try to reduce chemical in teflon

Foodconsumer.org
Jan. 26, 2006

Foodconsumer.org's Editor note: DuPont agrees to voluntarily phase out use of a toxic chemical named C8 by 2015. C8 is the ingredient used for teflon, which is used everywhere.

In the meantime, consumers better minimize use of C8 based consumer products. The compound is toxic no matter it causes cancer or not. Once you get it into your system, it may stay with you forever. We will try to publish more later.

January 26, 2006
Associated Press /New York Times

DOVER, Del. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was cited as asking DuPont and seven other chemical companies on Wednesday 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.

While accepting the EPA's challenge, DuPont Co. acknowledged that it has no immediate replacement for the chemical, a key compound in products that accounted for about $1 billion in sales for the Wilmington-based company in 2004.

The stories say that the initiative calls for a 95 percent reduction in environmental emissions and product content levels of perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, and associated chemicals by 2010. The companies also are being asked to work toward the elimination of PFOA and associated chemicals from emissions and products by 2015, but the agency conceded that may not be possible because of costs and technological hurdles.

DuPont, one of the largest users of PFOA, has agreed to participate in the program, which EPA officials announced in a teleconference with reporters.

Other companies asked to participate are 3M/Dyneon Arkema Inc., AGC Chemicals/Asahi Glass, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Clariant Corp., Daikin and Solvay Solexis.

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.