DuPont Settles With U.S. EPA on PFOA Reporting Matter
Posted on: Wednesday, 14 December 2005, 12:00 CST
WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DuPont today announced it has reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in an enforcement action related to the chemical compound perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), pending final approval by the EPA Environmental Appeals Board.
The agreement resolves four counts of reporting violations under the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act that were filed in 2004, one of which dates back to the 1980s. Four additional counts, raised by the agency in 2005, also were resolved. The settlement closes this matter for DuPont without any admission of liability.
"Our interpretation of the reporting requirements differed from the agency's. The settlement allows us to put this matter behind us and move forward," said DuPont Senior Vice President and General Counsel Stacey J. Mobley. "We have already cut PFOA emissions from U.S. plant sites by 98 percent, and we are committed to reducing those emissions by 99 percent by 2007."
In April, DuPont and EPA confirmed that they had reached an agreement in principle, subject to certain conditions, to resolve the complaint. At that time, the company established and announced a reserve of $15 million, pending final resolution of the matter.
Today, the company said it will pay $10.25 million in fines and an additional $6.25 million for two supplemental environmental projects to be undertaken in connection with the settlement. The supplemental environmental projects include funding for a research program to evaluate the potential for fluorotelomer biodegradation; and funding for microchemistry and green chemistry programs in certain West Virginia schools.
EPA continues its risk assessment process for PFOA to determine if there are any issues that require a regulatory response. DuPont continues to support and fully participate in the risk assessment process. Meanwhile, studies by DuPont and independent researchers confirm that cookware and other consumer products made with or using DuPont materials are safe for consumer use. In addition, to date no human health effects are known to be caused by PFOA.
DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.
DuPont
CONTACT: Clif Webb, DuPont, +1-302-774-4005,r-clifton.webb@usa.dupont.com
Web site: http://www.dupont.com/
Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall
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