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By Callie Lyons, clyons@mariettatimes.com
DuPont officials say they are working on technology which
may prove to be beneficial in the cleanup of the chemical with
the trade name of C8 from ground water. Experts say it
also might show promise as a method for cleaning
PFOA-contaminated water found at several public water systems
located along the Ohio River near DuPont's Washington Works
plant.
Earlier this week, Vapcon, Inc., a Lexington, Ky.-based
company, made a presentation in Marietta claiming that its
LifeMist home distillation system, which has been on the
market for 26 years, virtually eliminates C8 from drinking water. If
true, it would be a breakthrough in the development of
technology to clean up the chemical in local water supplies.
After the Monday presentation, DuPont released information
regarding its own testing on clean-up methods for the
chemical.
"DuPont has been conducting tests on a small scale using a
new type of granular activated carbon system to treat
groundwater containing PFOA. While preliminary results are
promising, they are not conclusive and the testing process
continues," said Dawn Jackson of DuPont's External Affairs
department. "Granular activated carbon is a proven technology
for water treatment generally. Its level of effectiveness for
PFOA is under evaluation."
Robert Griffin, director of the Little Hocking Water
Association, said while the distillation process might work
for some homeowners, it's not practical for reducing C8 levels for an entire water
system.
Griffen said a granular activated carbon system may hold
some promise. But two big questions remain to be answered:
"How low will it take the C8 levels? And, what's the
expense?"
The Teflon-related manufacturing chemical, recognized
locally under the DuPont trade name C8, was detected in local
water supplies in 2001 and 2002, leaving many of the systems'
consumers with concerns about the safety of their drinking
water.
The DuPont Washington Works plant, which is located near
Parkersburg, has used and emitted the substance for 50 years.
DuPont officials claim C8 causes no harmful health
effects in humans, even though the substance has been shown to
cause developmental and reproductive problems in laboratory
animals.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is conducting an
investigation into the toxicity of PFOA. Meanwhile, in Wood
County Circuit Court, water customers who fear the substance's
ill effects are bringing action against DuPont in a class
action lawsuit.
In cooperation with the EPA's investigation, industry
representatives have submitted information regarding methods
they are using to reduce emissions, including technology
employed to draw C8 out of water before it goes
back into the waste stream. However, the EPA has not been
involved in discussions about technology that would address
removing C8 from drinking water
supplies where it has been detected.
Ward Penberthy, associate director of the EPA's chemical
control division said industry officials have made public
commitments to share information involving technology to help
recycle and reuse the chemical. Penberthy said the EPA did not
have information on Vapcon's distillation process or DuPont's
granular activated carbon testing because the agency's inquiry
was focused on a particular set of issues.
Griffin said the technology behind a granular activated
carbon system might resemble that used in a carbon water
filter. However, that does not mean that consumers should
trust that a filter will reduce C8 levels.
Scientists from the Environmental Working Group, a
Washington DC-based research coalition, said granular
activated carbon systems are usually better used for organic
compounds. So, in order to remove C8, additional technology
might be needed.
"We applaud DuPont's research into a granular activated
carbon system," said Dr. Kris Thayer, EWG scientist. "We hope
that whatever positive results it achieves in removing C8 from area water supplies
are implemented immediately so that mid-Ohio valley residents
can drink water free of Teflon chemicals. In addition, we hope
that DuPont and other companies making these chemicals that
are already found in over 90 percent of human blood nationwide
seek alternatives that do not pollute air, water, and
people." |
