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Agreement Will Lead to Better Understanding of PFOA Sources

Release Date: 07/20/2005
Contact Information:


Contact: Enesta Jones, 202-564-4355 / [email protected]

(7/20/05) As part of the agency's ongoing efforts to better understand the potential health effects of PFOA, EPA and PFOA manufacturers have agreed to test if incineration of fluoropolymers and fluorotelomer-treated products are a source of PFOA in the environment. The consent agreements are part of the agency's ongoing process with industry and other interested parties to ensure the development of information that will help EPA determine the sources of PFOA, the routes of exposure, any potential risks, and what voluntary or regulatory actions, if any, would be appropriate to protect human health and the environment.

The principal test sponsor for the fluoropolymers incineration testing is the Fluoropolymer Manufacturers Group. The companies within the fluoropolymer group that signed the Enforceable Consent Agreement, committing them to testing, are: AGC Chemicals Americas, Inc., Daikin America, Inc., Dyneon, LLC, and E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company. The principal test sponsor for the fluorotelomer incineration agreement is the Telomer Research Program, which includes AGC Chemicals Americas, Inc., Clariant GmbH, Daikin America, Inc., and E.I.duPont de Nemours and Company.

PFOA is a processing aid in the manufacture of fluoropolymers, which are used in the manufacture of a wide range of non-stick and stain-resistant surfaces and products. PFOA may also be produced by the breakdown of fluorotelomers, which are used to impart water, stain, and grease resistance to carpets, paper and textiles. Additional information on the consent agreements and PFOA is available at: https://www.epa.gov/opptintr/pfoa/