PFOA is a surfactant and an essential polymerization aid used in very small quantities to help make fluoropolymers. PFOA is an acronym for perfluorooctanoic acid. The chemical form of PFOA used in fluoropolymer manufacturing is the ammonium salt, known as APFO. Within the fluoropolymer industry, APFO is sometimes called C-8, referring to the number of carbon atoms in its molecular structure. The single term PFOA is used throughout these documents to avoid confusion.

What are fluoropolymers and how are they used?

Fluoropolymers are high-performance plastic and synthetic rubber materials. They are used in harsh-chemical and high-temperature environments, primarily in performance critical applications in defense-related industries and in automotives, aerospace, electronics and telecommunications. Typical applications would be wire insulation for computer networks, semiconductor manufacturing equipment and automotive fuel hoses. About 95 percent of fluoropolymers are used in these types of industrial applications. The other 5 percent are used to make consumer products such as non-stick cookware and weather- and chemical-protective fabrics.

Do finished products made of fluoropolymers contain PFOA?

PFOA is a polymerization aid, not an ingredient. In general, the PFOA used to help make fluoropolymers is largely removed during the final steps of polymer production and by the high temperatures used when most fluoropolymers are made into finished products.

How do people get exposed to PFOA?

Industry scientists are currently working closely with EPA to better understand possible sources and pathways for exposure to PFOA.

PFOA has been detected at low levels in blood bank samples in several locations in the United States. In its draft risk assessment released January 12, 2005 (available at www.epa.gov/opptintr/pfoa/pfoarisk.htm). EPA estimated PFOA levels in the general population to be approximately 5 parts per billion (ppb) - the equivalent in time of one second in a span of 6 years, 4 months.

The fluoropolymer manufacturing industry has already achieved significant reduction in the potential for exposure from their own operations, such as using less PFOA, employing recycling and recovery techniques and substantially reducing emissions from fluoropolymer manufacturing facilities. The principal fluoropolymer producers have each committed to a minimum 50-percent reduction in total global emissions by 2006 (using 2000 as the baseline year).

Does PFOA have any known human health hazards?

Human health hazards of PFOA are reviewed in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency draft risk assessment released January 12, 2005 (available at www.epa.gov/opptintr/pfoa/pfoarisk.htm). This risk assessment provides added assurance to the public regarding the safety of PFOA. EPA's draft risk assessment used a margin of exposure (MOE) approach, sometimes referred to as a margin of safety. Under this methodology, higher MOE values represent lower levels of risk. The values in EPA's report - ranging from 398 to greater than 10,000 - represent substantial protection of the general population.

Knowing that PFOA is in people's blood, what has the industry done about it?

Industry scientists have worked closely with scientists in the EPA to identify possible sources of exposure for PFOA. The industry has voluntarily taken steps to reduce the potential for exposure. These steps include using less PFOA, employing recycling and recovery techniques and substantially reducing emissions from fluoropolymer manufacturing facilities. In addition, numerous new studies have been undertaken to better understand potential routes of exposure

Is non-stick cookware safe for use?

The safety of cookware coated with fluoropolymer non-stick coatings has been assessed by regulatory agencies of the United States and many other countries. For many years, non-stick cookware has been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for conventional kitchen use. FDA has not changed that approval. Governments in other parts of the world have also approved these coatings on cookware and housewares.

Can PFOA from non-stick cookware harm pet birds?

Birds have particularly sensitive respiratory systems, and can be injured by many kinds of household fumes, including those from aerosol sprays, burning butter or cooking oils, cleaning solvents, and overheated non-stick cookware. Bird owners can take several precautions to protect pet birds from cooking fumes: (1) keep birds out of the kitchen; (2) observe good cooking practices and never allow cookware to overheat; and (3) keep the cooking area well-ventilated.

Cooked foods will most likely burn beyond an edible state before non-stick cookware surfaces are damaged and decomposed by extreme heating. Tests confirm that non-stick coatings only begin to deteriorate when consumers use the product improperly at very high temperatures. Excessive exposure to any form of household fumes should be avoided. With this in mind, cooking should not be conducted in poorly ventilated areas.

Why is the EPA studying PFOA?

According to the EPA: "Studies recently evaluated by the Agency have raised a number of potential toxicity concerns, and when combined with information that the general U.S. population may be exposed to very low levels of PFOA, has led the Agency to conclude that additional scientific information is needed to determine if new regulatory actions are necessary."

EPA and industry entered into a process to establish information-collection obligations through an Enforceable Consent Agreement (ECA), which requires signing parties to perform certain specified studies to assess the pathways through which people are exposed, and submit the results of those studies to EPA on a specified schedule. In addition to these studies, U.S. manufacturers of fluoropolymers had earlier agreed voluntarily to conduct certain other studies, some of which have been completed and others of which are under way. Manufacturers also have committed to reduce emissions, work with customers to assist them in understanding the issues and in taking appropriate product stewardship actions, and provide support to other research needs.

What will be included in the EPA review process?

EPA requested data that would help it better understand general environmental and human exposure to PFOA. This would include data on use and production volume in the United States, data on chemical and product biodegradation, tests on products and studies on the routes through which PFOA moves through commerce.

In addition, EPA released a draft risk assessment on January 12, 2005 (available at www.epa.gov/opptintr/pfoa/pfoarisk.htm). It is consistent with EPA's previously stated position that the Agency "does not believe there is any reason for consumers to stop using any consumer or industrial-related products" made with PFOA.

EPA's draft risk assessment used a margin of exposure (MOE) approach, sometimes referred to as a margin of safety. Under this methodology, higher MOE values represent lower levels of risk. The values in EPA's report - ranging from 398 to greater than 10,000 - represent substantial protection of the general population.

SPI member companies have conducted extensive research on the safety of PFOA. Much of this research is cited in the EPA draft risk assessment.

The draft risk assessment will now be submitted to EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB). SPI member companies will provide input to the SAB process. EPA will then finalize the risk assessment based on public and SAB comments.

What is EPA doing about PFOA in people's blood?

EPA's current activities are described on its web site at www.epa.gov/opptintr/pfoa/.

As described on the web site, EPA is working with industry and other stakeholders to identify and reduce potential exposures to PFOA. The first public meeting on this topic was held on June 6, 2003. Since then, EPA has continued to work closely with industry and others to identify additional research needs through a series of specialized technical groups that meet and report regularly on progress.

Can PFOA be replaced with something else?

PFOA is an essential polymerization aid for fluoropolymers with specific properties for which no alternatives have been found to date. At this time, no alternative for these uses has been identified that meets environmental, toxicological and manufacturing requirements for the large majority of required applications in the fluoropolymer industry.

Would industry oppose regulating the use of PFOA?

No. Industry would support appropriate regulation of the use of PFOA.

The fluoropolymer industry has already taken voluntary steps to reduce the potential for exposure, such as using less PFOA, employing recycling and recovery techniques and substantially reducing emissions from fluoropolymer manufacturing facilities. It also continues to responsibly manage exposure to PFOA within its facilities.