DEQ-CFW_00012651

From: UlEPA [usuepa4pservic .govdelkmry.mm]
Sent: 1/I5/20156:26:09PN1
To: Brower, Connie [/h=NCMA]L/ou=ExchangeAdministrative Group
(FYD1BOHFI]3PDLT)/cn=Kecipients/cn=conniebrower]
Subject: News Release: EPA's Actions to Restrict PFCA and Similar Chemicals Yield Significant Human Health and
Environmental Benefits/Due to the agency's efforts, the CDC finds a 41 percent reduction in human blood -levels
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MOVATMITISTSWI
EPA's Actions to Restrict PFOA and Similar Chemicals
Yield Significant Human Health and Environmental
Benefits
Due to the agency's efforts, the CDC finds a 41 percent reduction in human
WASHINGTON — To further agency and industry achievements, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today
proposed measures to ensure that perfluorinated chemicals that have been phased out do not re-enter the marketplace
without review.
"Through our environmental stewardship program, eight companies have helped us make real progress to reduce these
chemicals as evidenced in the CDC findings" said Jim Jones, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Chemical Safety
and Pollution Prevention. "We will continue that progress now that all importers and other domestic manufacturers will be
required to give EPA an opportunity to review and restrict uses of these perfluorinated chemicals."
Today's action builds on several EPA has taken since 2006, when reaching an agreement with companies to phase -out
the chemicals by the end of 2015. Participating companies are on track to phase -out the chemicals by the end of 2015
and have successfully developed over 150 alternatives. EPA is also releasing the 2013 and 2104 companies' progress in
meeting the 2816phase-out goal.
These chemicals are used in e wide range of industrial applications and consumer goods, including cleanem, textiles,
carpet, leather, paper and paints, fire -fighting foams, and wire insulation. These chemicals are toxic, persist in the
environment worldwide, and can accumulate inpeople and animals.
EPA is proposing this Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) for Long -Chain Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylate chemicals in part in
anticipation of this 2015 phase -out deadline. In 2013, EPA issued a final Significant New Use Rule for use of
perfluorinated chemicals in carpets and carpet aftercare products. EPA has also issued other Significant New Use Rules
onparf|uorinatodchemicals, including perf|unnuuctanaou|fonata(PFOS)and perUuoroa|hy|au|fonetas(PFAS)that were
voluntarily phased -out ofproduction.
This proposal requires that anyone who intends to import these perfluorinated chemicals, including in products, or
domestically produce or process these chemicals for any new use submit a notification to EPA at least 90 days before
OEQ-CFVV_00012651

beginning the activity. This notice will provide the agency with an opportunity to evaluate the new use and, if necessary,
take action to prohibit or limit the activity.
Information on today's proposed rule and other actions EPA has taken on long -chain perfluorinated chemicals can be
found at: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/pfcs.htmi
Information on progress on the 2010-2015 PFOA Stewardship Program can be found at:
hftp://epa.gov/oppt/pfoa/pubs/stewardstiip/index.htmi
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DEQ-CFW-00012652