Stain Resistant Products In Your Blood

Researchers have found that a number of stain-resistant products contain compounds that break down into a chemical that hurts lab animals. The full story can be found here.

Quick Summary:

• A variety a stain-resistant products contain compounds that break down into perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
• PFOA is used to help make polymers that repel stains, keep grease in fast food wrappers, and improve hair-care products.
• PFOA doesn't break down.
• Lab animals have developed cancer and developmental problems after exposure to PFOA.
• PFOA is not found directly in the products. Compounds break down to release it.
• The EPA has asked 8 companies to cut down emissions of PFOA and chemicals that break down to form PFOA 95% by 2010.

My $0.02: If more people knew about this harmful chemical in their products, then there would be boycotts and a lot of complaints. This simply wouldn't be tolerated. Instead, most people are kept in the dark. I also note that there was no mention of the names of the companies that need to cut down their PFOA emissions. Coincidence? Definitely not.