DEQ-CFW_00070458

Cape Fear River - Bladen Bluffs
Subject: Cape Fear River - Bladen Bluffs
From: "[e-mail]" <[e-mail]>
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2008 15:32:10 -0500 (EST)
To: [e-mail]
For Cape Fear River - Bladen Bluffs file
----Original Message ----
From: [e-mail]
Date: Feb 4, 2008 14:14
To: "DWQ Clips"<[e-mail]>, "Connie Brower"
<[e-mail]>
Subj: EPA Announces Substantial Decrease of PFOA
From EPA
EPA Announces Substantial Decrease of PFOA
Release date: 02/04/2008
Contact Information: (Media only) Dale Kemery, [phone] /
[e-mail] (Other inquiries) Toni Krasnic, [phone] /
[e-mail]
(Washington, D.C. - Feb. 4, 2008) Eight major companies have reported
significant drops in the release of PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and
related chemicals, putting industry on target to meet a 95 percent
reduction goal in PFOA emissions and product content by 2010. Further
reductions are anticipated by 2015.
PFOA, also known as C8, is a processing aid in the manufacture of
fluoropolymers, which are used to provide non-stick surfaces on
cookware
and waterproof, breathable clothing. PFOA may also be generated by
the
breakdown of telomers used to impart soil, stain, and grease
repellency
in carpets, textiles and paper. PFOA is a persistent chemical that
has
been found at low levels both in the environment and in the blood of
Americans.
In early 2006, EPA launched the 2010/15 PFOA Stewardship Program, in
which eight companies voluntarily agreed to reduce facility emissions
and product content of PFOA and related chemicals globally by 95
percent
no later than 2010. They also intend to work toward eliminating
emissions and product content of these chemicals by 2015. The
companies
include Arkema, Asahi, Ciba, Clariant, Daikin, DuPont, 3M/Dyneon and
Solvay Solexis.
The companies reported 2000 baseline information in October 2006. In
October 2007, they provided the first reports of progress toward
meeting
their commitments. For example,
98
percent reductions in emissions
has
also been considerable progress
alternates. In late 2006, Asahi
that
three companies reported greater than
of PFOA in the United States. There
in the development of substitutes and
introduced a new line of products
is PFOA free. In early 2007, DuPont announced plans to "eliminate
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Cape Fear River - Bladen Bluffs
their
need to make, buy or use PFOA by 2015." 3M intends to introduce a
PFOA
substitute this year to be used in the manufacture of some of the
products currently on the market. To date, companies have submitted
more
than 50 chemical alternatives to EPA for review. Reporting is due
annually on Oct. 31.
/The stewardship program is an outgrowth of the agency's continuing
efforts, since early 2000, to identify and develop the scientific
information needed to fully understand how people are being exposed
to
PFOA and what, if any, concerns the exposures may pose. Industry has
responded by conducting new studies, including both enforceable and
voluntary testing efforts. Data collection will continue under the
stewardship program.
In November 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
reported results from their analysis of human blood levels of PFOA
collected in 2003-2004 and found a 25 percent reduction from levels
found in samples collected in 1999-2000. CDC attributed this decline
largely to EPA's efforts on PFOA. Further progress by companies to
reduce PFOA emissions and product content should contribute to
additional reductions in PFOA levels in humans. CDC is continuing
this
sampling and analysis and additional reports will be available in the
future.
More information on PFOA is at
<http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/pfoa/index.htm>:
epa.gov/opptintr/pfoa/index.htm <http://www.epa.
gov/opptintr/pfoa/index.htm>
Company progress reports and EPA's summary tables are available at
<http://epa.gov/oppt/pfoa/pubs/preports.htm>:
epa.gov/oppt/pfoa/pubs/preports.htm
<http://epa.gov/oppt/pfoa/pubs/preports.htm>
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