Summary
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) filed an 8-K report on July 7, 2005, to disclose new human health research on PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) shared with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB). The company presented findings from an employee health study, which indicated no association between PFOA exposure and most measured health parameters for over 1,000 workers at the Washington Works facility. The only potential association noted was a modest increase in certain cholesterol fractions for highly exposed workers, with further research ongoing to determine causality. DuPont also shared research suggesting PFOA has weak biological activity at the molecular level, comparable to or weaker than naturally occurring substances and significantly weaker than pharmaceutical drugs. Based on this and other studies, DuPont asserts that the weight of evidence indicates PFOA exposure does not pose a risk to the general public, including consumers using TeflonÒ brand products. The company emphasizes that independent studies show no PFOA in TeflonÒ cookware and no significant risk of exposure from consumer products.
Key Highlights
- 1DuPont shared new human health research data on PFOA with the EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB).
- 2An employee health study involving over 1,000 workers showed no association between PFOA exposure and most measured health parameters.
- 3A modest increase in some cholesterol fractions was observed in the highest exposed workers, and further research is being conducted.
- 4Research indicates PFOA exhibits weak biological activity at the molecular level.
- 5DuPont believes the weight of evidence suggests PFOA exposure does not pose a risk to the general public.
- 6Consumers using TeflonÒ brand products are stated to be at no risk from PFOA exposure.
- 7Independent studies confirmed no PFOA was detected in TeflonÒ cookware.