Talk:Perfluorooctanoic acid

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[edit] Neutrality Disputed

The article has an anti-PFOA bias. While it correctly notes that PFOA is very stable and long lived, it does not give any evidence that PFOA is toxic, or state any mechanisms of PFOA toxicity (the C<sub7F₁₅ part is relativly inert, and there is no reason why the COOH group, by far the most reactive part, be toxic to humans, and there are no Known processes it inhibits like fluoroacetic acid, which inhibits the Krebs cycle) but then quotes various groups as stating that PFOA shold be banned. While these viewpoints should be represented, the arguments of PFOA supporters should also be given to meet the NPOV policy. Polonium 20:56, 31 January 2006 (UTC)

• Ok, so why don't you give some detail, and integrate your argument in the article to present the whole picture. The given fact is, that DuPont had to pay quite some money to U.S. EPA (which is not just another public watchdog group, is it?), because serious facts about the toxicity of PFOA had been suppressed. --Olaf g 16:16, 31 January 2006 (MET)

• Everything in the article looks like facts from verifiable sources. Please provide some balance to the article. It looks like you have the information. I have not found anything from PFOA supporters to add. Be sure to cite your sources. -Thanks Nv8200p talk 16:45, 1 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Chemistry and processing info needed

I was very impressed by this article, but it does lack chemistry. PFOA is an interesting carboxylic acid - somewhat related to trifluoroacetic - with a synthesis, properties, and a history that would be relatively neutral (so to speak!). Also, the article seems to imply that PFOA is a component of Teflon whereas my understanding is that it is a kind of surfactant that is required for the (aqueous) emulsion polymerization. I dont know enough of the underlying polymer chem to explain the actual role of the PFOA in the making of Teflon. --Smokefoot 02:19, 30 April 2006 (UTC)