Document jV3D0eXyqzg0pxgDL20Mv3jp

A f c S - &6\7 Dr. Charles M. Auer USEPA Headquarters Ariel Rios Building (Mail Code 7405) 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20460 Dear Dr. Auer: This letter is a follow-up to the conversation that we had last week regarding 3M's announcement concerning its withdrawal from the market of certain products related to perfluoro octanylsulfonates (PFOS). We have been in contact with representatives of 3M and understand that a list is being created of a subset of uses that would be terminated by year-end 2000. A second list is also being created for a subset of uses that will be manufactured for a longer period of time ("critical use list"). We have asked 3M to include imaging material uses (i.e., photographic products and other imaging materials) on the second list of uses that will not be discontinued at year-end 2000. We are making the same request of the Agency for its deliberations on these uses. 3M has shared much of the data that it has collected on PFOS-related materials with our scientific staff and we can appreciate why 3M has taken a leadership role with its announcement on discontinuance of these materials. We have agreed to work with 3M and are willing to work with others to find replacements for materials of mutual interest. We would also like to work with the Agency to resolve issues that may arise with regard to interim uses of these materials and replacements. We believe that by providing an interim time period for continued availability of certain 3M products for imaging uses that it will be possible to collect the data that is needed to make good decisions about replacement materials. While we understand the need to act expeditiously on this issue, we believe that we share a common view with the Agency that replacements should be developed that do not raise similar environmental concerns at a later date. We look forward to working with the Agency on this matter. If the Agency is planning to create a list of interested parties with regard to issues around perfluorinated materials, w erg request that we be included on this communications list. We look forward to ways in whidgwe can interact with the Agency to resolve concerns about these materials. ^ Sincerely, f?. R. Hays Bell cn --"O*.mo ~y* 35 ZZ oo om o RHB:bdo RV.icHeaPyrsesBideell,nPt,hE.Das.,tmDairnecKtoord, aHkeCalothm, pSaanfeyty, and Environment Rochester, NY 14652-6256 716-722-5036 FAX 716-722-0239 Kodak Official Imaging Q8PSponsor ofthe Olympic Games /