PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) is a chemical that has been used by industry for many years as a processing aid in the manufacture of fluoropolymers representing a wide range of high-performance products that are versatile and durable and possess unique properties such as non-stick characteristics and heat and chemical-resistance. In fluorotelomer products, such as those used in firefighting foams and repellants, PFOA is not used in the manufacturing process but occurs at trace levels as an unintended byproduct.
DuPont is currently one of a number of global manufacturers that make and use PFOA. The products made with DuPont fluoropolymer and fluorotelomer materials are safe for their intended uses and impart value and benefit to society. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have affirmed their positions on the safety of these products with the following statements:
"Consumer products made with fluoropolymers include non-stick cookware, and breathable, all-weather clothing. These products are not PFOA, however. The information that EPA has available does not indicate that the routine use of household products poses a concern. At the present time, EPA does not believe there is any reason for consumers to stop using any products because of concerns about PFOA. EPA wants to emphasize that it does not have any indication that the public is being exposed to PFOA through the use of Teflon®-coated or other trademarked nonstick cookware. Teflon® and other trademarked products are not PFOA."
U.S. EPA web site, www.epa.gov/oppt/pfoa/index.htm
"[At this time,] we have no reason to change our position that the use of both perfluorocarbon resin and telomer-based coatings are safe for use in contact with food as described in the applicable regulations or notifications."
Dr. Paul Honigfort, Consumer Safety Officer, Office of Food Additive Safety, U.S. FDA, Nov. 16, 2005
However, studies have shown very low levels of this compound in the environment and in the blood of the general population.
PFOA has been extensively studied in an occupational setting where potential exposure can be significantly higher than that of the general population.
Occupational exposure to PFOA has been associated with small increases in some lipids (e.g. cholesterol). It is not known whether these are causal associations. These associations were not observed in a community study.
Based on health and toxicological studies, DuPont believes the weight of evidence indicates that PFOA exposure does not pose a health risk to the general public.
To date, there are no human health effects known to be caused by PFOA, although study of the chemical continues.
Because of its presence in the environment at low levels, DuPont has taken action to reduce the potential for exposure to PFOA from our products and processes.
In January 2006, we committed to participate in the voluntary U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2010/15 PFOA Stewardship Program to significantly reduce manufacturing emissions and product content levels of PFOA, its precursors and related higher homologues by 2010, and work toward the elimination of those sources by 2015. At the program launch, the EPA stated;
"I am pleased to say that DuPont has alerted us they are formally committed to the program. I would like to commend them for their leadership in moving to voluntarily reduce their emissions and uses of PFOA and I am hopeful that others will follow."
Susan Hazen, Acting Administrator of EPA Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Jan. 25, 2006
To date, DuPont has made significant progress in meeting and in many cases exceeding the objectives of the Stewardship Program. Our achievements include:
Reduced total PFOA emissions by approximately 95 percent in our global manufacturing operations since 2000. The U.S. reduction is almost 98 percent.
Qualified customers representing over 90 percent of our sales volume for aqueous fluoropolymer dispersions to newly formulated technology that reduces PFOA content by 97 percent.
Started up a $22 million facility that removes more than 97 percent of trace levels of PFOA, direct precursors and homologues in our fluorotelomer products.
Contributed to the PFOA scientific knowledge base with more than 70 published articles.
As part of our participation in the 2010/15 PFOA Stewardship Program, DuPont submits data annually to the EPA on our progress toward meeting program objectives. To date, we have submitted baseline data and 2006 actual performance data. Our reports are publicly available on the EPA web site www.epa.gov/oppt/pfoa/pubs/DuPont_AppF.pdf
Further, in February 2007, DuPont committed to no longer make, use or buy PFOA by 2015 or earlier, if possible. We are taking this action because studies have shown very low levels of this compound in the environment and in the blood of the general population. Questions about this, as well as customer interest in product alternatives, are leading DuPont to develop new products and processes that reduce our environmental footprint and are more environmentally sustainable.
We are excited about our progress toward meeting our phaseout commitment, and to develop and deliver new high-performance, environmentally sustainable products for our customers and where possible, we will convert our products and processes in advance of 2015.
DuPont Position on PFOA
Read the latest DuPont statements and other related information pertaining to PFOA/C8.
