In 2005, the EPA announced an agreement the agency reached with the chemical industry aiming to eliminated PFOA emissions by 2015.

DuPont was the first company to sign on. A similar program was already in place at DuPont. An EPA employee with knowledge of the talks told GPB the EPA's plan "bears a strong resemblance" to what DuPont lobbied for.

Several studies have shown these voluntary reductions are effective. According to government studies, less PFOA is turning up in human blood samples.

The EPA also appears to be taking a more aggressive approach toward PFOA. Yet, the agency is also still receiving pressure to back off research.

A November 2007 internal EPA newsletter reported "Industry officials are questioning why the EPA is spending limited research dollars… to conduct toxicity research on PFOA…after the agency reached an agreement to phase out the chemical by 2015."

In other words, some makers and users of PFOA are pointing to a voluntary agreement modeled largely on DuPont's policy, to question the need for ongoing research. Without conclusive research, the Dalton Carpet industry, along with Dalton Utilities, say there is no reason to change current practices.