Chemical industry news: Voluntary efforts increase to reduce toxic chemicals

Chemical manufacturing plants are
voluntarily phasing out some
toxic chemicals, the EPA reports.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released results of a voluntary effort by eight chemical manufacturers to reduce emissions and use of long-chain perfluorinated chemicals (LCPFCs), including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

The chemicals are used in hundreds of manufacturing and industrial applications and reducing their impact on the environment and human health has been a priority for the EPA and health groups.

Long-chain perfluorinated chemicals persist in the environment for a long time and they can build up in animals and humans.

The companies, which are participating in a special voluntary program overseen by the EPA, have developed more than 150 alternatives to long-chain perfluorinated chemicals and informed the EPA that they are on track to phase out LCPFCs by the end of 2015.

The EPA is working to involve more companies in the program to reduce these toxic chemicals.

Source: EPA

Reduce levels of indoor air chemicals

While it is great to reduce emissions of toxic chemicals, chemical manufacturing companies and other industries may also want to reduce the levels of toxic chemicals in the ambient air.

Electrocorp offers industrial-strength air purification systems with activated carbon and HEPA that can remove the widest range of indoor air contaminants, including more than 200 airborne chemicals and gases.

For more information and options, contact Electrocorp.