Why did 3M phase out the production of a chemical used as an ingredient in its Scotchgard fabric protector?
a.
New advances in fabric manufacturing, such as dirt repellant fibers, made the need for the product obsolete.
b.
The product accidentally violated the patent rights of a competitor.
c.
Traces of the potentially harmful chemical were found in humans, so the product was voluntarily halted.
d.
New governmental legislation banned the production of one of the product's key component chemicals.
e.
3M developed a new product that didn't contain this chemical and was less costly to produce, resulting in a significantly higher profit margin.
Answer: Traces of the potentially harmful chemical were found in humans, so the product was voluntarily halted.