For those concerned about exposure to dangerous chemicals, you should also look into PFOA/C8, a chemical used in the manufacture of many products including, but not limited to: non-stick pans, carpeting, furniture, household cleaners, cosmetics, clothing and food packaging.
Summary of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Fluorinated Telomers (EPA.gov)
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Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), also known as "C8," is a synthetic chemical that does not occur naturally in the environment. It has special properties that have many important manufacturing and industrial applications. EPA has been investigating PFOA because it:
* Is very persistent in the environment
* Is found at very low levels both in the environment and in the blood of the general U.S. population
* Remains in people for a very long time
* Causes developmental and other adverse effects in laboratory animals.
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Basics of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Fluorinated Telomers (EPA.gov)
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In 2004, EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) took administrative action against DuPont, and filed two complaints under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). DuPont's violations consisted of multiple failures to report information to EPA about substantial risk of injury to human health or the environment from PFOA during a period beginning in June of 1981 through March of 2001. Section 8(e) of the TSCA requires U.S. chemical manufacturers, importers, processors and distributors to notify EPA within 30 calendar days of new, unpublished information on their chemicals that may lead to a conclusion of substantial risk to human health or to the environment. EPA alleged that DuPont did not submit to the Agency information the company had obtained regarding PFOA. Read more information on EPA's action against DuPont.
In 2005, DuPont paid $10.25 million for violating federal environmental statutes, which is the largest civil administrative penalty EPA has ever obtained. The settlement resolves DuPont's violations related to PFOA under TSCA and RCRA, which includes the eight violations alleged in the Agency's final complaint against DuPont in 2004. The settlement package required DuPont to pay $10.25 million in civil penalties and perform Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) worth $6.25 million. Read more about EPA's Consent Agreement with DuPont (PDF).
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It's interesting to note that DuPont got away with 20 years worth of violations for less than $20 million and that this was the largest penalty ever assessed by the EPA. Basically, chemical companies don't give a shit because they know they'll make money hand over fist and just get a slap on the wrist for violations
if they get caught.
For in-depth research and analysis, read this.
PFCs: Global Contaminants: PFOA and other PFCs come from common products in every home (Environmental Working Group)
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Non-stick pans, furniture, cosmetics, household cleaners, clothing, and packaged food containers can all contain PFCs, many of which break down into PFOA in the environment or in the human body. The brand names are well-known: Teflon, Stainmaster, Scotchgard, SilverStone, and others. PFCs are also used in a vast array of industrial products and processes.
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