DuPont provides statement at EPA public hearing on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
In a public meeting held Friday in Washington, D.C., by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), DuPont Global Vice President for Central Research & Development Uma Chowdhry reaffirmed DuPont's commitment to a regulatory process that addresses questions regarding perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Uma also restated the company's support for an EPA decision to convene a Scientific Advisory Board to review its preliminary risk assessment.
PFOA is currently an unregulated compound used as a processing aid to manufacture fluoropolymers.
"We recognize that there have been many questions raised by EPA and others about the potential risks associated with exposure to PFOA," Uma said. "As a science company, DuPont is fully committed to work with industry to address those questions, to investigate both past and current potential sources of PFOA exposure, to further reduce exposure pathways, and to provide information needed to allow for the development of an accurate, science-based assessment of any risks posed by PFOA."
In her remarks, Uma reaffirmed DuPont's confidence that, during its more than 50 years of use, there have been no known adverse human health effects associated with PFOA, and that extensive scientific studies indicate that current PFOA exposure does not present a risk to humans or the environment.
Uma also said the company believes that the EPA's process may lead to regulation that will assure the protection of the public's health and safety while allowing the continued use of PFOA and the benefits it brings to society.
"DuPont remains confident that society is not being exposed to health or environmental risks from potential exposure to PFOA," she said. "We will work with the EPA to provide any information we can to assist with (its) investigation."
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