EPA’s PFOA campaign on track
In early 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the 2010/15 PFOA Stewardship Program, through which eight companies voluntarily agreed to reduce facility emissions and product content of PFOA(perfluorooctanoic acid) and related chemicals by 95 percent no later than 2010. All eight participants – including Arkema, Asahi, Ciba, Clariant, Daikin, DuPont, 3M/Dyneon and Solvay Solexis – reported significant declines and further reductions are anticipated by 2015.
PFOA, also known as C8, is a processing aid used in the manufacture of fluoropolymers, which can be used for waterproof, breathable clothing, among other items. It is also generated by the breakdown of telomers used to impart soil, stain, and grease repellency in textiles, carpets and paper.
In early 2007, DuPont announced plans to "eliminate its need to make, buy or use PFOA by 2015", while 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.
