maple street co-op

EcoHealth News
From "Maple Street Co-op News", Aug/Sep 2005

Common chemical linked to cancer

A chemical that leaches from a coating on fast-food cartons, Teflon cookware and raincoats is "likely to be carcinogenic to humans", according to a draft report prepared for the US EPA by an independent advisory panel.

The chemical, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), is found widely in human blood throughout the USA. It is classified as a "persistent" chemical, as it takes decades to break down in the environment.

Some researchers believe the source is the deterioration of water- and grease-repellent coatings used on carpets, raincoats and take-away food boxes.

The "likely" finding is a step up from the US EPA's preliminary determination in January that the chemical is a "potential" cause of cancer. If the agency accepts the new label, it is expected to carry out a full-scale risk assessment to determine whether the chemical is dangerous at current levels.

PFOA has been found in drinking water near the West Virginia plant where DuPont Co. uses the chemical to make Teflon and grease-repellent coatings. The EPA has accused DuPont of concealing information about the health risks of the chemical, but the company denies this.

[Source: The Courier-Mail, 30 June 2005]

[From "Maple Street Co-op News", August/September 2005; published by The Maple Street Co-operative Society Ltd, 37 Maple Street, Maleny, Qld 4552, Australia, tel (07) 5494 2088, email maplest.coop@serv.net.au,
website http://www.maplestreetco-op.com.au]