EPA scientists wanted lower limit on chemical C8

"Federal government scientists originally sought a much tougher standard for the toxic chemical C8 than was included in a nationwide health advisory issued last month, according to an internal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency memo," reports Ken Ward Jr. of The Charleston Gazette. According to that memo, EPA experts pushed for a limit of 0.2 parts per million, which is less than half the limit as the Bush administration ended in January.

EPA struck a deal with DuPont, the maker of C8, that would allow levels up to 0.5 parts per million in November 2006. EPA declined to comment how the standard more than doubled. The 0.5 ppm was a reduction from the previous level of 150 parts per billion. Research worldwide has pointed to the dangers of elevated levels of C8 in humans. Click here for a previous post on C8. (Read more)