Polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are known as PFAS, first came about in 1938 with the introduction of Teflon (brand name for PTFE) by the DuPont chemical company. PFAS are synthetic organic fluorine compounds that are used in a wide variety of products including stain resistant clothing, cookware, water resistant clothing, cosmetics, fast food packaging, pesticides, fire fighting foams, and much more.
The concern regarding PFAS centers around the chemicals perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) that are commonly know as “forever chemicals” because of their ability to resist degradation in the environment. They have been linked to cancer and many auto immune diseases.
In 2005, DuPont entered into a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to phase out the use of PFOA in their PTFE with complete removal by 2015. These PFOA compounds contain fluorine atoms that are attached to an alkyl chain.
Originally, these alkyl chains were formed with 7 or 8 molecules. Shorter chains are now used in the manufacture of PTFE and other PFAS containing products. Initially, these shorter chains were thought to be much safer, but now that thinking has come in to question. There are health concerns that the shorter chains can also last a long time in the environment.
In conclusion, although PTFE and other fluorocarbon polymers are now considered to be safer with the removal of PFOA and PFOS, they should be avoided in products that will come in contact with food, such as cookware, or with skin, such as water resistant clothing. Other types of products that are made with PFOA and PFOS free fluorocarbons are considered safer than they were years ago, but, depending on the application, can still pose health risks and should be used judiciously.