Studies show that this chemical -- perfluorooctanoic acid, or
PFOA -- is present in 98% of Americans' blood and 100% of
newborns. It doesn't break down and thus accumulates in the
system over time. "I still serve frozen pizza in my house," said
Dan Turner, a spokesman for DuPont Co., the sole U.S.
manufacturer of PFOA. "I serve microwave popcorn to my 3-year-
old." Public-health advocates counter that the industry is being
disingenuous. "There's never been a chemical found that affects
animals but has no effect on humans," said Bill Walker, vice
president of the Environmental Working Group. "I don't know
about you," he added, "but I don't like chemicals building up in
my blood, even when the chemical industry says there's no risk."
Neither does state Sen. Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro), who has
drafted legislation -- SB 1313 -- that would ban PFOA and a
similar compound in any food packaging sold in California by
2010. The bill has been approved by the state Senate and passed
the Assembly Health Committee last