Considering all the bad news stemming from DuPont's negligent behavior regarding perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) -- a chemical used to produce Teflon -- the EPA has asked eight manufacturers to eliminate their production of that toxic substance by 2015.

Sounds like great news, right? DuPont, already under the EPA radar for numerous environmental violations, has said it will comply. But, here's the catch: This cutback is completely voluntary, according to the Environmental Working Group, because the Toxic Substances Control Ban doesn't give the EPA the authority to enact a ban.

Hard to believe a chemical flowing through the bloodstreams of more than 95 percent of Americans and tied to so many common household products can't be legally banned by a federal agency like the EPA, but it's true.

Of course, there are less toxic alternatives, including a similar chemical made of four carbon atoms instead of the eight found in PFOA, that don't accumulate in your body under consideration.

For the sake of your health and that of your family, you should enact a Teflon ban in your home on cookware as well as paper products.

USA Today January 26, 2006