PFAS (forever chemicals): why to avoid them and what to use instead
Extremely persistent in the environment and human blood; associated with kidney and testicular cancer, immune suppression and thyroid disease.
The short answer
You cannot avoid PFAS entirely — they are in rainwater and drinking water — but replacing non-stick pans, grease-proof takeaway packaging and DWR-treated outerwear removes the three biggest voluntary sources in a typical household.
- Where it hides
- Non-stick cookware, waterproof jackets, dental floss, grease-proof food packaging, stain-resistant carpet
- Cleaner swap
- Cast iron, carbon steel or stainless cookware; wax or silicone-treated outerwear; uncoated paper packaging; wool or untreated cotton textiles.
- Also listed as
- PTFE, PFOA, PFOS, GenX, C8, Teflon, fluoro-
The label names to scan for
- PTFE / Teflon
- PFOA
- PFOS
- GenX (HFPO-DA)
- Perfluoro- or polyfluoro- anything
- Fluorotelomer
- Scotchgard-type stain treatments
- 'Water-repellent' DWR without a PFC-free claim
What regulators have actually done
The EU has restricted PFOA and PFOS and is assessing a universal PFAS restriction. Several US states (Maine, Minnesota, California) have passed phase-outs for PFAS in cookware, textiles and food packaging, with deadlines running through 2032.
Why they are called forever chemicals
The carbon–fluorine bond is the strongest in organic chemistry, so PFAS do not meaningfully break down in soil, water or the body. Serum half-lives for legacy compounds run to years. Replacement short-chain PFAS clear the body faster but persist in the environment just as long, which is why regulators are moving to class-wide restriction rather than chemical-by-chemical bans.
Cookware: what actually matters
Intact non-stick coating at normal cooking temperatures sheds very little. The problems are manufacturing emissions, disposal, and overheating above roughly 260C, which degrades the polymer. Ceramic-coated pans are usually PTFE-free but wear out fast; cast iron and carbon steel are the durable, genuinely fluorine-free options.
Clothing and gear
Look for a 'PFC-free DWR' or 'PFAS-free' statement rather than assuming. Several outdoor brands have completed the switch to silicone or polyurethane-based water repellents; performance is slightly lower in sustained rain but adequate for everyday use, and re-waxing restores it.
PFAS (forever chemicals): frequently asked questions
Is Teflon the same as PFAS?+
Teflon is a brand of PTFE, which is a PFAS. Modern Teflon is made without PFOA, but PTFE itself is still a fluoropolymer in the PFAS family.
How do I know if a jacket has PFAS?+
Look for an explicit 'PFC-free' or 'PFAS-free' DWR claim. If a jacket advertises durable water repellency with no such statement, assume fluorinated chemistry.
Do PFAS-free non-stick pans exist?+
Yes — ceramic sol-gel coatings, enamelled cast iron and seasoned carbon steel are all PFAS-free. Verify the manufacturer states it directly; 'PFOA-free' alone does not mean PFAS-free.