Scotchgard products to be pulled

Tests found that perfluorooctany chemicals stay in the environment

US firm 3M is to stop making Scotchgard stain-resistant sprays after tests revealed that chemical compounds in the products linger in the environment and human body for several years.

A spokeswoman for the company said: "While there is no health or environmental risk from these chemicals, we are voluntarily taking action now to correct the situation."

That (Scotchgard) really is a household name. It takes guts to do that

Linda Greer, environmental scientist

The company says "minute traces" of the chemicals have been found in the general population around the world, including Britain.

All Scotchgard products, which have been manufactured using perflourooctanyl chemicals for the past 40 years, are to be phased out over the next six months.

Wide range

They include Scotchgard fabric protector used to make carpets, a furniture stain-resistant spray, fire-fighting foams and coating used for oil and grease resistance on paper packaging.

The products account for about $300m of the company's annual sales and about 2% of its total sales of nearly $16 billion.

"Our decision to phase out production is based on our principles of responsible environmental management," Charles Reich, company's executive Vice President, said.

3M will take a $200m charge against earnings later this year to cover the phase-out.

Scotchgard "less profitable"

According to an industry analyst, Scotchgard business was less profitable than others.

But others praised the move. Linda Greer, senior scientist at the environmental group Natural Resources Defence Council in Washington said: (Scotchgard) really is a household name. It takes guts to do that."

She said the fact that Scotchgard is a heavily fluorinated chemical puts it into a class of chemicals that are notorious for persistence, including CFCs (chlorinated fluorocarbons) and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).

Both of those have been taken off the market because of government intervention. CFCs were found to be destroying the ozone layer.

3M, the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, makes Post-It notes, Scotch Tape and many other consumer and industrial products.