Testimony & Official Correspondence

July 17, 2003 | A chemical associated with dozens of popular consumer products has proven to be surprisingly toxic and pervasive. In response, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is conducting the most extensive scientific review in the Agency's history to find out how this chemical has contaminated the blood of over 90% of Americans.

This chemical belongs to the family of "perfluorochemicals" (PFCs), many of which never break down in the environment. They are used in brand name consumer products such as Stainmaster, Scotchgard, Gore-Tex and Teflon.

Beyond DuPont’s Game Face On Federal Teflon Chemical Inquiry Lie Aggressive and Illegal Efforts To Control Damage

A routine-seeming government meeting this Friday marks the public debut of what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says is one of the most sweeping regulatory inquiries it has ever mounted on an industrial chemical. The chemical happens to be the key manufacturing aid for what is unquestionably DuPont’s marquee product brand, Teflon.

EWG asks EPA administrator Whitman to investigation apparent reporting violations by DuPont Chemical. EWG submits documentation that DuPont had determined that 2 of 7 babies born to Teflon-exposed female workers in the company's Parkersburg WV plant had facial birth defects. DuPont had not reported this information to EPA as required under Section 8(e) of the Toxic Substances Control Act.

Key Issues: 

Toxics

Chemical Policy (TSCA)

Nonstick Chemicals

Cookware

Water

The federal government has published proposed, revised cancer risk assessment guidelines that contain significant conclusions and changes in the way the EPA will assess the risk from cancer-causing chemicals in the environment.