By PHILIP ENGLISH
One of the world's biggest companies, 3M, is phasing out a chemical used in its popular Scotchgard products because of environmental concerns.
Scotchgard, used for years in New Zealand as a spray-on protective coating for furniture upholstery, contains a compound called perfluorooctanyl.
It is not known to be hazardous to human health, but it is a persistent chemical able to accumulate in the environment.
The chemical has been found in low levels in humans worldwide.
Like other organic compounds it is understood to be toxic at high levels in laboratory animals.
Organic chemical compounds such as the pesticide DDT and PCBs used in insulation are well-known hazards in the environment and are banned because of their toxic effects and persistence.
Industries around the world are under pressure to eliminate similar chemicals to prevent problems in the future.
The move by 3M, which has worldwide sales of $US16 billion ($33 billion) a year, is a precautionary approach to perfluorooctanyl because it does not degrade easily in the environment.
The chemical is also found in coatings used for oil and grease resistance on paper packaging and in firefighting foams.
The corporate marketing and public affairs director of 3M New Zealand, Graham Black, said he believed the chemical but not the brand name would be phased out.
An alternative would be found.
"Over the next few days we will be contacting our customers and looking to smooth the transition."
Green worries spur giant firm to ditch chemical
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