An independent panel is advising the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) used in Teflon© is a "likely human carcinogen".
The word "likely" was chosen by the panel instead of the word "suggested". The EPA had proposed "suggested human carcinogen", a milder version, based their opinion that the results of studies showing that rats subjected to high doses of PFOA develop liver tumors only "suggested" a risk to humans. This isn't the only toxicity study, there is a long history of studies buoying these health findings.
According to the Environmental Protection Group (EWG) the panel suggested two primary goals for the FDA:
- "Consider immune and nervous system effects on animals in its study of possible human health risks."
- "Use a more health-protective and scientifically valid approach to studying human health risks from the chemical."
Perhaps coincidentally, or not, Dupont recently announced in a press release that they were agreeing to voluntary reductions of PFOA in consumer products and industrial emissions. Some argue that there are loopholes in these preemtive moves.
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Acronym Required previously wrote about Teflon in "Slick Company Stands behind Teflon©" and "Dupont, the Teflon© company".
