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C8 or C-8: PFOA is perfluorooctanoic acid and is sometimes called C8. It is a man-made chemical and does not occur naturally in the environment. The "PFOA" acronym is used to indicate not only perfluorooctanoic acid itself, but also its principal salts.
The PFOA derivative of greatest concern and most wide spread use is the ammonium salt (
Ammonium perfluorooctanoate) commonly known as C8, C-8, or APFO and the chemical of concern in the Class Action suit in Ohio.

Ammonium perfluorooctanoate (APFO or C8)
CAS No. 3825-26-1. Molecular formula:

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA or C8)
CAS No: 335-67-1
. Molecular formula:

The DuPont site where APFO is used as a reaction aid is the Washington Works (Route 892, Washington, West Virginia 26181) located along the Ohio River approximately seven miles southwest of Parkersburg, West Virginia.

The Little Hocking Water Association well field is located in Ohio on the north side of the Ohio River immediately across from the Washington Works facility. Consumers of this drinking water have brought a Class Action suit against the Association and DuPont for the contamination of their drinking water with DuPont's APFO, which residents and media refer to as C8.

PFOA is used as a processing aid in the manufacture of fluoropolymers to produce hundreds of items such as non-stick surfaces on cookware (TEFLON), protective finishes on carpets (SCOTCHGUARD, STAINMASTER), clothing (GORE-TEX), and the weather-resistant barrier sheeting used on homes under the exterior siding (TYVEK).

 

http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=&fArticleId=2158507

July 21, 2004

Business Report

NTERNATIONAL

DuPont says allegations over teflon will not stick

Beijing - US 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, told reporters at a news conference in Beijing.

"PFOA is not hazardous to human health."

DuPont said it will 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 is harmful to human health.

In an attempt to quell concerns, a "crisis team" comprised of senior DuPont executives from the United States, Hong Kong and Shanghai flew to Beijing for a meeting with the quarantine authorities.

Browne said the media's "misinterpretation and misunderstanding" of the EPA's press release had caused unnecessary concern among Chinese consumers and the government.

David Boothe, strategic planning manager for DuPont Fluoropolymer Solutions in the US, said PFOA has been used in Teflon for 50 years and there was no evidence of it causing health problems.

He said the dispute with the EPA was over "record keeping".

There has been "no known adverse human health affect after more than 50 years experience of using PFOA," Boothe said.

"Furthermore, extensive testing has not detected ... PFOA in cookware." - AFP