- cross-posted to:
- usa@lemmy.ml
- globalnews@lemmy.zip
- cross-posted to:
- usa@lemmy.ml
- globalnews@lemmy.zip
Conservative fifth circuit overturns EPA’s ban prohibiting Inhance from using manufacturing process creating toxic compound
A federal appeals court in the US has killed a ban on plastic containers contaminated with highly toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” found to leach at alarming levels into food, cosmetics, household cleaners, pesticides and other products across the economy.
Houston-based Inhance manufactures an estimated 200m containers annually with a process that creates, among other chemicals, PFOA, a toxic PFAS compound. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in December prohibited Inhance from using the manufacturing process.
But the conservative fifth circuit court of appeals court overturned the ban. The judges did not deny the containers’ health risks, but said the EPA could not regulate the buckets under the statute it used.
The rule requires companies to alert the EPA if a new industrial process creates hazardous chemicals. Inhance has produced the containers for decades and argued that its process is not new, so it is not subject to the regulations. The EPA argued that it only became aware that Inhance’s process created PFOA in 2020, so it could be regulated as a new use, but the court disagreed.
How do they make paper impenetrable to greasy wet food? PFAS coatings…
Some food boxes are the really thick, compostable, paper boxes, that hold up pretty well to greasy foods. Another option is to place wax paper under the greasy food, between the food and the bottom of the box. Both options are better for the planet than the ones with pfas.
Pizza boxes?
Waxed paper, like they did before plastic.