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A: In May 2000, 3M made a voluntary decision to phase out its production of products having perfluorooctanyl chemistry which included Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), and PFOS-related products, which included many Scotchgard™ Protector products and applications. However, 3M subsequently developed unique new technologies that allowed us to reformulate our Scotchgard™ Protector products. These reformulated products provide equal or sometimes better protection performance characteristics than the former products while being much more favorable from an environmental, health and safety aspect.

A: Yes. 3M products sold under the Scotchgard™ Brand have been thoroughly tested and are safe for their intended uses.

A: Yes

A: New products carrying the Scotchgard™ Brand name are based on new unique fluorochemical technologies. They are not based on PFOA or PFOS chemistry.

A: Fluorochemical technologies are critical to the development of high-quality, high performance protective materials. To date, no other class of materials has been found that repels soils and stains as effectively as fluorochemicals. Through the use of these protectors, a wide variety of products typically have an extended useful life. For example, carpets last longer and look better for an extended period of time. Stain protection for clothing and leather goods helps provide a longer and more useful life before replacement. Fluorochemical additives used in household paint, tile grout, wood flooring, resilient flooring, and other hard surface applications, allow for easy cleaning of surfaces because of the protective coating. There are a wide variety of benefits when everyday products have extended periods of useful life.

A: For product information, visit our web site at www.Scotchgard.com

If you would like to talk to someone about a specific question, please call our customer help line at
1-888-3MHELPS (1-888-364-3577)

A: Recent surveys have shown that the Scotchgard™ Brand remains one of the most trusted and best known brands of protective treatment, enjoying nearly 99% consumer recognition.

A: PFOA is an abbreviation for Perfluorooctanoic Acid. PFOS is an abbreviation for Perfluoroocatane Sulfonic Acid or sulfonate. 3M made a voluntary decision to phase out perfluorooctanyl based chemistry (PFOA, PFOS and PFOS-related products) in May of 2000, and completed its phase out of PFOS production in 2002. 3M no longer manufactures PFOA. PFOA is used onsite in Europe by a subsidiary that recovers and recycles PFOA for internal use as a necessary manufacturing aid in the production of fluoropolymers.

A: Scotchgard™ Protector products manufactured after December 31, 2000, are not made with or degrade to PFOA or PFOS.

A: 3M's voluntary phase out decision in May 2000 was taken after research indicated that PFOS at very low levels was widely dispersed in wildlife around the world and also had been detected at low levels in people. Although extensive research showed there were no adverse health effects at the levels found, 3M did not want to add to the presence of this persistent compound in the environment or in people. Instead, 3M decided to invest in developing more sustainable substitute technologies. These efforts led to the introduction of the reformulated technologies behind products carrying the Scotchgard™ Brand name.

A: No. 3M's new fluorochemical technologies have been extensively tested which show they are stable polymers with minimal to no environmental impact and have minimal toxicity, even when given in large doses in laboratory tests. In addition, the new fluorochemical technologies are based on materials that will not bioaccumulate in people or wildlife. These new products not only have excellent protection performance, but they also have a very favorable environmental, health and safety profile.

A: 3M has a special web site, www.3M.com/pfos-pfoa, that answers questions for anyone seeking more information about PFOS and PFOA. Information is also available on EPA's web site at www.epa.gov/oppt/. Search on "pfoa"

A: Yes. EPA reviews and authorizes new materials before they can be placed on the U.S. market for commercial sale. The process is called the "Premanufacture Notification (PMN)" process. The EPA has reviewed the new 3M materials under the PMN process. 3M uses these new materials in numerous products, including those marketed under the Scotchgard™ Brand name. 3M currently manufactures and sells its fluorochemical products under written agreements with the EPA called "consent orders".

A: No. The Teflon brand name is owned by DuPont™. Products carrying the Teflon brand name use a different fluorochemical technology than that used by 3M.