According to the EPA, 8 companies including DuPont, Clariant, Ciba, 3M, Arkema, Daikin, Asahi Glass and Solvay have agreed not only to reduce the amount of PFOA emissions, but also to reduce their emissions. Chain homologues and emissions of any other compound that may decompose to form PFOA will also reduce the content of the above substances in the product. According to EPA, the PFOA's content in the global environment can be greatly reduced.
PFOA is generally used as a processing aid for the manufacture of fluoropolymers and is used in the production of non-stick cookware coatings and in the production of waterproof, breathable fluoropolymer films. It is not easily decomposed and will continue to accumulate in the environment. EPA's scientific advisors have recommended that the EPA classify PFOA as a category of "suspicious carcinogens."
In addition, by-product PFOA is also easily produced when producing telomers such as fluorinated alcohols. Fluorinated alcohol telomers are generally used to impart stain and grease resistance to fibers or paper. Some scientists believe that such telomeres tend to decompose to produce PFOA and related perfluorocarboxylates.
Eight U.S. Companies to Reduce PFOA Emissions
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week that eight companies, including DuPont, have announced that they will significantly reduce the emissions of some of the perfluorinated compounds that they have involved in all production facilities around the world. Next, the eight companies will work with EPA to develop analytical standards and laboratory testing methods for ammonium perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and related chemicals.