June
7, 2003
The
Columbus Dispatch
(Ohio)
EPA, DUPONT DEBATE CONDITIONS
FOR CHEMICAL STUDY
Air, soil, water near plant would be tested
By Jack Torry
WASHINGTON -- Federal regulators yesterday launched an effort designed to
ultimately determine whether a chemical DuPont uses in making Teflon poses
health hazards to people.
During a five-hour hearing at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
officials from DuPont and other major chemical companies clashed with environmentalists
about scientific surveys the government requires from the industry.
The hearing, which attracted
more than 200 representatives of the industry and environmental organizations,
is expected to lead to an agreement about the extent of a study of the chemical.
Should the study conclude that the chemical is harmful, then government
could ban it.
The chemical -- perfluorooctanoic acid, also known as C8 or PFOA -- was
used by DuPont and 3M to produce a variety of products, including nonstick
pans and stain-resistant carpet. DuPont has produced Teflon at its Washington
Works plant near Parkersburg, W.Va.
The Dispatch has reported worries that the chemical might cause developmental
problems in young girls and women of childbearing age. Levels of PFOA have
been detected in water systems near the plant, including those in Belpre
and Tupper Plains, Ohio.
The EPA's decision to negotiate what is known as an enforceable consent
agreement with DuPont was hailed by environmental organizations. They contend
that DuPont and other manufacturers of PFOA have withheld documents and
scientific results that would show the chemical has caused cancer and liver
damage in rats.
"We hope that these proceedings will lead to a ban on PFOA and other
problematic chemicals in the family,'' Kristina Thayer, a scientist for
the Environmental Working Group, told federal officials. "The available
science more than justifies that step.''
Thayer also expressed hope that the hearings will help Americans "understand
why the government didn't have a clue about these problems until just a
few years ago. We hope these proceedings help explain why Dupont, 3M and
other 'science' companies that made billions of dollars selling Teflon,
Scotchgard or other fluorochemical products, have been so irresponsible,
or incompetent, in assessing and acknowledging their impacts on the environment
and human health.''
Industry officials pledged to cooperate in developing a consent agreement,
but they asserted that any study would conclude that PFOA is safe and does
not pose any health problems.
Dr. Uma Chowdhry, global vice president for DuPont Central Research and
Development, told regulators, "There have been no known adverse human
health effects associated'' with PFOA in the 50 years the company has produced
the chemical. Still, Chowdhry supported further study.
The types of tests that would be included in the consent agreement would
involve examining air, water, and soil near the Washington Works plants.
In addition, DuPont is likely to be required to turn over to the EPA its
studies on the effect of PFOA on health.
Environmentalists urged EPA to order blood-monitoring studies. Some initial
studies by DuPont and 3M indicated that the chemical has been found in human
blood across the nation.
"This omission will seriously undermine the entire process,'' Thayer
warned EPA officials.
jtorry@dispatch.com
