Group Charges EPA Ignoring Health Dangers of Teflon

[Guest guest]

Thu, 13 Jan 2005 14:04:27 GMT

" BushGreenwatch " <info

 

 

 

Group Charges EPA Ignoring Health Dangers of Teflon

 

January 13, 2005 | Back Issues

 

Group Charges EPA Ignoring Health Dangers of Teflon

 

The release yesterday of an EPA draft risk assessment on PFOA -- a

toxic chemical contained in Teflon -- has been sharply criticized by a

leading environmental group, which charges the agency has ignored its

own science panel's guidance and industry research.

 

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) pointed out that last March the

EPA's Scientific Advisory Panel directed EPA to consider that several

types of cancer are relevant to humans when assessing PFOA. But

according to EWG, the EPA ignored the science panel's instructions for

its risk assessment.

 

" There's a big difference between sound science and tilted science,

and at every turn in this important process, EPA officials favored

DuPont, " said Ken Cook, president of EWG. " We don't know if DuPont

lobbyists played a role or if these were just agency mistakes. But for

those who were expecting a thorough and fair review, this is a huge

disappointment. "

 

EWG noted that 24 hours prior to EPA's risk assessment release, a

study by Dupont was released showing no effects associated with

Teflon. EWG added that EPA also ignored several studies showing a risk

of heart attack and stroke, plus its own guidelines for defining

cancer potential, which normally require a chemical be considered

carcinogenic when only one of five criteria is met. Teflon meets three

of the five criteria. [1]

 

In past studies of Teflon conducted by both DuPont, Teflon's maker,

and by 3M, scientists have uncovered links to cancer, evidence of

immune system suppression and risk of heart attack and stroke.

 

After a year-long investigation by EPA, hearings began last month over

allegations that DuPont was suppressing the health effects of Teflon.

[2] Teflon is present in the bloodstream of 95% of Americans. EPA is

investigating how this could happen.

 

" Compared to where the agency started on this subject, it's hard to

see how EPA's new direction will lead it to protect the public from

this chemical, " Cook said.

 

###

 

SOURCES:

[1] EWG press release, Jan. 12, 2005.

[2] EWG statement, Dec. 17, 2004.

 

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[Guest guest]

imo...

If it's from DuPont, or from DOW...stay away from it!!

 

~mk

 

 

, " califpacific "

<califpacific> wrote:

>

>

> Thu, 13 Jan 2005 14:04:27 GMT

> " BushGreenwatch " <info@b...>

>

>

>

> Group Charges EPA Ignoring Health Dangers of Teflon

>

> January 13, 2005 | Back Issues

>

> Group Charges EPA Ignoring Health Dangers of Teflon

>

> The release yesterday of an EPA draft risk assessment on PFOA -- a

> toxic chemical contained in Teflon -- has been sharply criticized

by a

> leading environmental group, which charges the agency has ignored

its

> own science panel's guidance and industry research.

>

> The Environmental Working Group (EWG) pointed out that last March

the

> EPA's Scientific Advisory Panel directed EPA to consider that

several

> types of cancer are relevant to humans when assessing PFOA. But

> according to EWG, the EPA ignored the science panel's instructions

for

> its risk assessment.

>

> " There's a big difference between sound science and tilted science,

> and at every turn in this important process, EPA officials favored

> DuPont, " said Ken Cook, president of EWG. " We don't know if DuPont

> lobbyists played a role or if these were just agency mistakes. But

for

> those who were expecting a thorough and fair review, this is a huge

> disappointment. "

>

> EWG noted that 24 hours prior to EPA's risk assessment release, a

> study by Dupont was released showing no effects associated with

> Teflon. EWG added that EPA also ignored several studies showing a

risk

> of heart attack and stroke, plus its own guidelines for defining

> cancer potential, which normally require a chemical be considered

> carcinogenic when only one of five criteria is met. Teflon meets

three

> of the five criteria. [1]

>

> In past studies of Teflon conducted by both DuPont, Teflon's maker,

> and by 3M, scientists have uncovered links to cancer, evidence of

> immune system suppression and risk of heart attack and stroke.

>

> After a year-long investigation by EPA, hearings began last month

over

> allegations that DuPont was suppressing the health effects of

Teflon.

> [2] Teflon is present in the bloodstream of 95% of Americans. EPA is

> investigating how this could happen.

>

> " Compared to where the agency started on this subject, it's hard to

> see how EPA's new direction will lead it to protect the public from

> this chemical, " Cook said.

>

> ###

>

> SOURCES:

> [1] EWG press release, Jan. 12, 2005.

> [2] EWG statement, Dec. 17, 2004.

>

> Spread the Word | Back Issues

>

> BushGreenwatch | 1320 18th Street NW 5th Floor

> Washington, DC 20036 | (202) 463-6670

> Web site comments: info@b...

> Copyright 2003 Environmental Media Services