April 22, 2003 – A chemical used in the manufacture of a multitude of household products could be just as – if not more – toxic than PCBs.
Perfluoro-octanoic acids (PFOA) are used in the manufacture of products like Teflon, Gore-Tex, shampoo and carpet cleaners, and sealants like Scotchguard and Stainmaster. Acids are found in the environment when these products degrade over time.
If scientists are in the dark about their potential impact on human health1, tests performed on rats and monkeys have highlighted dangers to the brain, kidneys, immune system, liver, pancreas and lungs … to name a few. The US Environmental Protection Agency has therefore decided to investigate, and its work is just beginning.
Conversely, the company 3M, which was until recently one of the main manufacturers of PFOA, claims to have studied the issue thoroughly and believes that they are safe. The US federal government claims that PFOA is already found in the body of virtually all North Americans.
One thing is certain, the chemical stability of PFOA is reminiscent of that of the infamous PCBs. Like the latter, PFOA accumulates in the environment and infiltrates the food chain, where their effect has yet to be measured. And compared to PCBs, PFOAs would be virtually indestructible, since scientists have failed to degrade them using the high heat and strong acids found in nature.
Since 3M’s withdrawal, the main manufacturers of PFOA are the company DuPont and three foreign firms.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
According to New York Times and Reuters Health, April 15, 2003.
1. Gilliland FD, Mandel JS. Mortality among employees of a perfluorooctanoic acid production plant. J Occup Med 1993 Sep; 35 (9): 950-4. [Consulté le 22 avril 2003].
