PFOA-free means that cookware is manufactured without perfluorooctanoic acid, a chemical previously used in non-stick coatings that poses health risks.
Health agencies have raised concerns about the compound PFOA, which was previously used to make Teflon. However, Teflon has been PFOA-free since 2013. Today's nonstick and Teflon cookware is completely safe for normal home cooking, as long as temperatures do not exceed 570°F (300°C).
Myth: "Teflon” is the same thing as PFOA. Fact: The Teflon™ brand is not PFOA. Teflon™ is a brand, owned by Chemours, not a product or material. This brand is used to market a range of products and should never be used as a generic term for a particular substance or a generic name for nonstick cookware coatings.
Studies in humans
Some of these studies have suggested an increased risk of testicular cancer and kidney cancer with increased PFOA exposure. Studies have also suggested a possible link to thyroid cancer, but the increases in risk have been small and could have been due to chance.
Non-stick frying pans are not intrinsically unsafe. They may become unsafe when damaged or worn out. Throw them out then. Until then, use them to your heart's content.
ceramic is among the safest material for pans
From dishes, to glasses, bakeware and cookware, ceramic bakeware is our pick for the best cookware material for health thanks to its non-reactive nature and resistance to high temperatures and acidic foods. Plus it's so pretty!
A single scratch on a Teflon nonstick pan can release thousands of microplastic particles, study suggests. Broken or scratched Teflon coating could lead to the release of thousands to millions of plastic particles, a study suggests. The coating may shed microplastics and PFAS, also known as forever chemicals.
The film is based on the true story of American environmental attorney, Rob Bilott and his long, drawn out, seemingly unending battle with DuPont. The story was brought to wider public attention in 2016 with the publication of an article in the New York Times by Nathaniel Rich.
However, PFOA can be measured in blood for years after exposure. PFOA levels decline in blood naturally by about half every 2-4 years, assuming there is no additional exposure.
Then, we removed GreenPan entirely from our list of non-toxic cookware. There were two primary reasons: Competing brands began providing independent laboratory testing to prove their products are non-toxic. We became aware of lawsuits against GreenPan that cast doubt on the company's marketing claims.
Fritaire: A Safer, Non-Toxic Air Fryer Alternative
If you're looking for a safer option, Fritaire's air fryers offer a non-toxic solution that is free from Teflon, PFOA, and PTFE.
Teflon cookware made before 2013 may be toxic
All that was enough for most manufacturers to halt the production of nonstick coatings using PFOA around 2002. Teflon using PFOA wasn't officially banned in the United States until 2014. Europe banned it in 2008.
Our pans are made with recycled aluminum and our coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, so you can breathe easy.
For the health-conscious cook, Calphalon oil-infused ceramic cookware delivers nonstick performance without the need for additional oil and butter. This PFOA-and PFTE-free ceramic-lined cookware provides even heating and durability, and makes cleanup quick and easy.
“Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Their Salts.” The EFSA Journal.
The independent C8 Science Panel has linked C8 exposure to cancer and other serious diseases. The C8 class action settlement entitles you to request a free C8 blood test AND free doctor's visit for medical testing to detect serious diseases that might be caused by your C8 exposure.
It is safe to shower and bathe in PFAS-contaminated water. Neither routine showering or bathing are a significant source of exposure. Studies have shown very limited absorption of PFAS through the skin.
In April 2024, EPA issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful PFAS. The final rule will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses.
Bilott's health has taken a battering too. A mysterious neurological disorder struck him in 2008. He suffered tremors and a palsy on his right side which turned into violent shaking convulsions up and down the right side of his body.
Principal photography began on January 14 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Studies show that human exposure to PFOA is widespread, and that most people in the U.S. have PFOA in their blood.
Nonstick Pans Do Not Last Forever
A good rule of thumb is to replace them approximately every five years.
You can find nonstick cookware at much lower prices than HexClad. If you have the budget, however, HexClad is the better option. It's nonstick, it's more durable, and it provides a superior cooking experience.