Public health groups are continuing to push the US Environmental Protection Agency to ban a fluorination process that improves the barrier properties of high-density polyethylene plastic containers. The process creates per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including harmful perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), as by-products. Texas-based Inhance Technologies is the only company that uses this method in the US.
In a May 17 notice, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) informed the EPA that they intend to sue the agency for not taking action to reduce the risk posed by PFOA formed as a by-product during the fluorination of plastics. PFAS can leach into liquids stored in the treated containers, according to EPA studies.