DuPont Commits to Aggressive PFOA Emissions Reduction Program

DuPont has pledged its commitment to the 2010/15 PFOA Stewardship Program announced by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Said DuPont Vice President Susan Stalnecker, "Having achieved a 94 percent reduction in global manufacturing emissions by year-end 2005, we are well on our way to meet the goals and objectives established by the EPA stewardship program."

In a letter issued to DuPont from EPA Administrator Stephen L Johnson, he said, "Considerable progress has been made by putting in place a comprehensive testing and research program that will fill in many of the critical information gaps that exist around our understanding of potential exposure and risks. The data from the research and testing programs will allow the Agency and others to make informed decisions about any related risk management actions that are warranted."

"Although our risk assessment activities are not complete and new data may change the current picture, to date EPA is not aware of any studies specifically relating current levels of PFOA exposure to human health effects."

The company said the EPA program will accelerate industry-wide reduction of PFOA emissions to the environment, while ensuring continued availability of the many essential products serving critical industries such as telecommunications, aerospace, semiconductors, and fire fighting, as well as consumer products.

Key elements of the DuPont commitment to EPA include reducing global emissions from manufacturing facilities by 98 percent by 2007. This incorporates the substantial achievement of 94 percent reduction already realized through DuPont's ongoing reduction program.

DuPont will work individually and with others in industry to inform EPA's regulatory counterparts in the European Union, Canada, China and Japan about activities and new information concerning PFOA.

This work includes a discussion on the emission reductions from DuPont facilities as well as the reformulation of its fluoropolymer dispersion products.

The company has developed new technology that can reduce PFOA content in fluoropolymer dispersions by more than 97 percent. DuPont has offered the technology to fluoropolymer manufacturers globally in a royalty-free exchange.