China's Quarantine department has started to evaluate Dupont's Teflon products sold in China after the US Environmental Protection Agency said the chemical giant failed to report test results on a chemical which may be harmful to human health. But the Chinese market has so far shown no real signs it will reject the products. CRI's reporter Li Gang has the details.

The US Environmental Protection Agency or EPA says it would fine the Dupont Chemical Company for failing to inform the public about the possible harmful effects of a component found in Teflon. After the EPA's remark, China's General Administration of Quality Control, Supervision and Inspection immediately formed an experts'team to assess Teflon products sold by Dupont on the Chinese market. No results have yet been released.

The EPA says Dupont concealed a test that shows one of the components in Teflon, known as C-8, may cause cancer in humans. And the company continued to use Teflon in making stain- and stick-resistant surfaces and materials, especially cooking utensils. Currently, many cooking appliances sold on the Chinese market are of Dupont's Teflon brand. In China, it is called "Tefulong". But a manager from Dupont's China Branch says they believe Teflon is not harmful to human health.

"What I can say to Chinese consumers is that our Teflon products pose no health risks to people and do not harm the environment. Actually, the EPA has not yet decided how to punish Dupont and we are going to present the organization with a document proving that Dupont's products are safe."

The EPA findings have not aroused sharp reactions from Chinese consumers or business operators. In fact, most shopping centers and supermarkets in Beijing are still selling Teflon-related products. But China's quarantine department says they will keep a close eye on the issue and once confirmed, strict measures would be taken to cut off future sales.

Meanwhile, the China Consumers' Associations is calling for the country to provide stricter access standards for foreign products on the domestic market, especially those that are imperfect or have violated quality standards in other countries.