EPA to fine DuPont over ingredient in Teflon

The Environmental Protection Agency says it may levy a fine surpassing $300 million against the Wilmington, Del.–based chemical giant DuPont. The government accuses the company of concealing for 2 decades that it was contaminating the environment with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and putting at risk the health of workers. DuPont uses the synthetic chemical in the manufacture of many stain-resistant and nonstick substances, including some Teflon coatings.