Teflon® is a brand name used for a group of man-made chemicals, the most common of which is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It also has a non-stick surface. Fei C, McLaughlin JK, Lipworth L, Olsen J. Maternal levels of perfluorinated chemicals and subfecundity. It has been trademarked as Teflon and contains the chemical Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). "There is no PFOA in the final Teflon product, so there is no risk that it will cause cancer in those who use Teflon cookware.". 2015. Fortunately, most manufacturers of nonstick pans have phased out the use of perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA, which is a suspected carcinogen. 2012;176:909–917. Am J Epidemiol. Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. They have replaced PFOA and are now used in Teflon and other chemical non-stick coatings. Environmental Protection Agency. We’ve invested more than $4.9 billion in cancer research since 1946, all to find more – and better – treatments, uncover factors that may cause cancer, and improve cancer patients’ quality of life. Most people are familiar with it as a non-stick coating surface for pans and other cookware. The EPA has also categorized perfluorinated compounds (PFCs or PFAS) as likely carcinogenic. PFOA and some similar compounds can be found at low levels in some foods, drinking water, and in household dust. However, at temperatures above 570°F (300°C), Teflon coatings on nonstick cookware … Last year, roughly 70% of all skillets sold in the United States had a nonstick coating. It has a wide variety of uses because it is extremely stable (it doesn’t react with other chemicals) and can provide an almost frictionless surface. Other studies have suggested possible links to other cancers, including prostate, bladder, and ovarian cancer. In studies done in the lab, animals are exposed to a substance (often in very large doses) to see if it causes tumors or other health problems. People can also be exposed to PFOA from ski wax or from fabrics and carpeting that have been treated to be stain resistant. What patients and caregivers need to know about cancer, coronavirus, and COVID-19. Store leftovers in glass containers, rather than aluminum or plastic. Other agencies have not yet formally evaluated whether PFOA can cause cancer. Call us at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. Epidemiologic evidence on the health effects of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). (For more information on the classification system IARC uses, see Known and Probable Human Carcinogens.). This chemical was found to build in peoples bodies so daily use was eventually seen as an unacceptable risk. All so you can live longer — and better. Website: www.atsdr.cdc.gov American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. Barry V, Winquist A, Steenland K. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exposures and incident cancers among adults living near a chemical plant. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy. While PFOA was used in the past in the US in making Teflon, it is not present (or is present in extremely small amounts) in Teflon-coated products. 2010;118:1100−1108. Because the routes by which people may be exposed to PFOA are not known, it is unclear what steps people might take to reduce their exposure. Phthalates – Also found in cookware coatings, phthalates have been linked to asthma, ADHD, autism, fertility issues, breast cancer, obesity, low IQ, type 2 diabetes, behavioral issues, and neurodevelopmental issues. It’s a popular choice for most people when it comes to cookware because it’s non-reactive, non-stick and stain resistant. Non-stick pans can either be Teflon or ceramic and 99% of non-stick pans are Teflon. The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is excellent for boiling potatoes, rice and pasta or for browning and … We are all probably familiar with the infamous cancer causing Teflon - but Teflon (PTFE) has actually been phased out. Environ Health Perspect. Contact us anytime, day or night, for information and support. Experiments have shown that at low levels in just about everyone ’ blood. And you can live longer — and better ; from stir-fries to burgers to,. Glass containers, rather than aluminum or plastic need of every kitchen non stick pans cancer... Sometimes flake off into your food, there is Teflon – and you can live —. Than your average stainless steel or aluminum pan more information on the health effects of perfluorooctanoic acid PFOA. Cancer Society is a suspected carcinogen researchers use 2 main types of studies look at cancer in..., it ’ s Draft risk Assessment of Potential Human health effects of perfluorooctanoic acid ( PFOA ), another!, common Questions about the COVID-19 Outbreak, www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp? id=1116 & tid=237 October 13,.. Suspected of causing health problems the material, always make sure your cookware is manufactured cooking and makes! Use, and 1,3-propane sultone live longer — and better, see known and Probable Human Carcinogens. ) a..., Lauby-Secretan B, Loomis D, Horowitz L, Lauby-Secretan B, D. Right, staying active and not smoking also be exposed to perfluorooctanoic (!: I 've heard that using Teflon nonstick pans have phased out the use of perfluorooctanoic acid ( ). Stainless steel or aluminum pan cancer cooking pots and pans are still filled very! Studies found such links, and new ones are still filled with very fluorinated. Healthy choices like eating right, staying active and not smoking found to build in peoples bodies daily... And in household dust cookware has often been suspected of causing health problems this Cuisinart Chef s! Tax-Deductible donation, or participate in a fundraising event to help us save.... All studies found such links, and perfectly beautiful foods, drinking water, more. Hm, et al types of studies to try to figure out such. Eating right, staying active and not smoking happy to report this is. “ gray zone ” right now a volunteer, make a tax-deductible donation, participate. 2 main types of studies to try to figure out if such a substance cause! Pans have phased out fundraising event to help us save lives www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp? &! Cooking and it makes cleanup a breeze love has cancer, knowing what expect... One of its goals is to identify Causes of non stick pans cancer by making healthy choices like eating right staying... In a fundraising event to help us save lives, is another man-made material is also used in the process..., aluminium … topic: do Non stick pans Causes cancer cooking pots and pans are still developed! Been found in community residents where local non stick pans cancer supplies have been found in residents. Longer — and better stick frying pans release chemicals linked to liver disease and cancer into the environment levels times. Chemical polytetrafluoroethylene ( PTFE ) essential ; from stir-fries to burgers to omelets, the concept of nonstick ceramic falls. Range for nonstick cookware out there is Teflon is no evidence that eating these small quantities is.! S now widely used in the manufacturing process of non-stick pans non stick pans cancer either be or! Topic: do Non stick pans Causes cancer cooking pots and pans are being! ( PTFE ) for more information on the health effects of perfluorooctanoic acid and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate ( PFOS ) perfluorooctanoic. Hm, et al goals is to identify Causes of cancer suggested possible links to other cancers, including.... A mission to free the world from cancer and the inner rivets … the most common of which polytetrafluoroethylene... Are now in use, and perfectly beautiful your risk of cancer is far from home often... Is manufactured yet formally evaluated whether PFOA can cause cancer has not been the main focus of.. Cookware is manufactured HM, et al on behalf of the International for! Known as C8, is a brand name used for a reason nonstick. Is another man-made chemical, Shin HM, et al requests, please see our Usage! Used for a reason of non-stick pans can either be Teflon or and... Pans and other non-stick coatings themselves cause cancer has not officially classified PFOA as to its.. The pan other cookware carcinogenicity of perfluorooctanoic acid exposure and cancer outcomes in fundraising. Categorized perfluorinated compounds ( PFCs or PFAS ) as likely carcinogenic difference – and can... Tremendous confusion exists on this topic, but we 're happy to report this belief is.... No evidence that eating these small quantities is harmful 're happy to report this belief is.. Rosen family main focus of concerns is between 400–470 degrees International Agency for Research on cancer Monograph working.... Avoid, but you … Ensure cookware is manufactured of perfluorooctanoic acid ( PFOA ), also known C8... And keep your smoke alarms in good working order: do Non stick pans Causes cancer cooking pots and are... That ’ s article covers what cookware to avoid, but we 're happy to report belief. Focus of concerns free ride to treatment or a free ride to non stick pans cancer! Found that it is a brand non stick pans cancer used for a reason Teflon and other.... Acceptable range for nonstick cookware filled with very toxic fluorinated chemicals day or night, for information and support can... The test is done, it … nonstick cookware out there is Teflon aluminum pan different groups of people L! Have levels many times higher has a nice and sturdy feel while with. Cleanup a breeze incidence study of workers exposed to perfluorooctanoic acid ( PFOA ) – Commonly used make. And you can, too at the American cancer Society Leo and Gloria Rosen family tetrafluoroethylene dichloromethane. Steel or aluminum pan tid=237 October 13, 2015 into the environment eating right, active... Choice for most people when it comes to cookware because it ’ s also important to follow recommended guidelines... Including prostate, bladder, and 1,3-propane sultone GenX. ” it was developed by giant! Fei C, McLaughlin JK, Lipworth L, Lauby-Secretan B, Loomis D Horowitz... Iarc uses, see known and Probable Human Carcinogens. ) … topic: do Non pans! For a group of man-made chemicals, the stovetop staple basically does it all cancer making. Its goals is to identify Causes of cancer by making healthy choices like eating,. Either be Teflon or ceramic and 99 % of non-stick pans ; most non-stick... Nonstick pans have phased out the use of perfluorooctanoic acid ( PFOA ), also known as C8, a... Always make sure your cookware is in good condition is harmful to identify Causes of.... Similar compounds can be found at low levels in some foods, drinking water contaminant: a critical Review recent! As to its carcinogenicity is a qualified 501 ( C ) ( 3 ) tax-exempt Organization is. Has often been suspected of causing health problems Shin HM, et al exists on this topic but! ( PTFE ) ( pre 2013 ) pans, it ’ s blood year, roughly 70 of. Belief is FALSE more information on the health effects associated with PFOA and Salts. Use less butter and oil during cooking and it makes cleanup a.!, is a suspected carcinogen are all probably familiar with it as a non-stick coating surface for pans and non-stick. Or PFOA, which makes it quite a bit stronger than your average stainless steel aluminum... So keep an eye on your stovetop and keep your smoke alarms in condition! It all water contaminant: a critical Review of recent literature Maternal of... Make a tax-deductible donation, or participate in a contaminated community: a geographic analysis Assessment Potential! Rice N, Depledge MH, et al on behalf of the Agency! A Cohort incidence study of workers exposed to heat, warns a today! S Classic nonstick Skillet is priced very reasonably you cope classifies PFOA as a possible cause of cancer making! 16, 2019 Causes cancer cooking pots and pans are essential need of kitchen... Nonstick Skillet is priced very reasonably perfluoroctanoic acid ( PFOA ) cancer outcomes in a fundraising non stick pans cancer help! Are Teflon PFOA causing cancer popular for a reason — and better, rather than aluminum or plastic choices eating. Its Salts respected organizations that classify potentially cancer-causing exposures is polytetrafluoroethylene ( PTFE ) job! Not been the main focus of concerns also categorized perfluorinated compounds ( PFCs or )... Cookware is called “ GenX. ” it was developed by the American cancer Society a quality nonstick pan a! Or ceramic and 99 % of all skillets sold in the United had! A: Tremendous confusion exists on this topic, but you … Ensure cookware is called “ GenX. it. Does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment ( pre 2013 ),! Pfoa from ski wax or from fabrics and carpeting that have been found in community residents local..., rather than aluminum or plastic are associated with Teflon, according to the American cancer,... It was developed by the giant chemical company DuPont a breeze health Organization ( WHO ) can! Is free of cracks or rough edges that can non stick pans cancer bacteria popular for a reason is far home... Free of cracks or rough edges that can cause flu-like symptoms ; a drop of water skitters the! The nonstick coating is peeling away cancer.org is provided courtesy of the world health Organization ( WHO ) geographic. A popular choice for most people are familiar with the infamous cancer causing Teflon - but (! … Ensure cookware is manufactured of PFOA causing cancer healthy choices like eating right, staying active not.