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Press Release
January 25, 2006
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA Seeking PFOA Reductions
-- Also see
letter
EPA sent to PFOA industries
Contact: Enesta Jones, 202-564-4355 / jones.enesta@epa.gov
(Washington, D.C.-Jan. 25, 2006) - EPA is launching a global stewardship
program inviting companies to reduce PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
releases and its presence in products by 95 percent by no later
than 2010 and to work toward eliminating sources of exposure five
years after that but no later than 2015.
PFOA is an essential processing aid in the manufacture of fluoropolymers,
and fluorotelomers, which are used in the manufacture of a wide
range of non-stick and stain-resistant surfaces and products.
PFOA may also be produced by the breakdown of fluorotelomers,
which are used to impart water, stain, and grease resistance to
carpets, paper and textile.
PFOA is persistent in the environment, it has been detected in
low levels in wildlife and humans, and animal studies conducted
have indicated effects of concern.
"The science is still coming in, but the concern is there
so acting now to minimize future releases of PFOA is the right
thing to do for our environment and our health," said Susan
B. Hazen, acting assistant administrator of EPA's Office of Prevention,
Pesticides and Toxic Substances. "EPA is pleased to provide
companies the opportunity to step up to the plate and demonstrate
their leadership in protecting our global environment."
Participating companies will commit to reduce by 95 percent facility
emissions and product content levels of PFOA, PFOA precursors,
and higher homologue chemicals, by no later than 2010, with the
year 2000 as the baseline for measuring reductions. The program
also calls for companies to commit to work toward eliminating
these sources of PFOA exposure five years after attaining the
95 percent reduction but no later than 2015. Companies are being
asked to meet these commitments in the United States as well as
in their global operations.
Also, participants are being asked to provide their commitment
to EPA by March 1, 2006, and to submit their year 2000 baseline
numbers for emissions and product content to EPA by Oct. 31, 2006.
Annual public reports on their progress toward the goals will
be due in October of each successive year. To ensure comparable
reporting of reductions, participating companies must commit to
work with EPA and others to develop and agree upon analytical
standards and laboratory methods for these chemicals. EPA will
also initiate efforts to add PFOA and related chemicals to the
Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to help monitor the results of
the stewardship program.
This stewardship program is a result of the Agency's on-going
process with industry, stakeholders, consumer groups, and interested
parties to identify and develop the scientific information needed
to fully understand how people are being exposed to PFOA and what,
if any, concerns those exposures may pose. Industry has responded
by initiating new studies, including through enforceable as well
as voluntary testing efforts, and this important data gathering
effort will continue as an additional element under the Stewardship
Program.
PFOA, also known as C8 or Ammonium Perfluorooctanoate (APFO),
is used in the manufacturing process of fluoropolymers. Fluoropolymers
impart desirable properties, including fire resistance and oil,
stain, grease, and water repellency. They are used to provide
non-stick surfaces on cookware and waterproof, breathable membranes
for clothing. PFOA can also be found as an impurity in the production
of some products.
For more information on the Agency actions on PFOA or to read
any available commitment letters, visit:
http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/pfoa/pfoastewardship.htm
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