The Shuttle Environmental Assurance Initiative ( SEA ) has identified a potential for the Space Shuttle Program ( SSP ) to incur materials obsolescence issues due to agreements between the fluoro - chemical industry and the United States Environmental Protection Agency ( USEPA ) to participate in a Global Stewardship Program for perfluorooctanoic acid ( PFOA ) . This presentation will include discussions of the chemistry , regulatory drivers , affected types of fluoropolymer and fluoroelastomer products , timeline for reformulations , and methodology for addressing the issue . It will cover the coordination of assessment efforts with the International Space Station and Head Quarters Air Force Space Command , along with some examples of impacted materials . The presentation is directed at all members of the international aerospace community concerned with identifying potential environmentally driven materials obsolescence issues .