Teflon and PFAS substances: Advantages, risk and regulation

— Structure and effect

Teflon is a widely known synthetic plastic with excellent properties, including outstanding chemical and heat resistance and excellent water-repellent properties. It is no wonder that it is a popular material for coating pans, as burnt eggs are very rare with Teflon coatings. Thanks to these positive properties, the material also plays an important role in many industrial applications, primarily in areas where chemical resistance and low friction are essential.

But what is wrong with it? Is Teflon harmful to health? Fortunately, it is not, at least not on its own. If a small amount of Teflon enters the human body, it will probably pass through unchanged, since its chemical resistance means that it does not react chemically with anything in our body.

However, this advantage is also a disadvantage. Teflon degrades very slowly in the environment; rather, it breaks down into micro- and nanomaterials, which in turn are harmful to health.

Teflon belongs to the group of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are in the crosshairs of legislative bodies throughout Europe, including Hungary. Due to the environmental damage caused, a partial ban can be considered, but a complete ban cannot be completely ruled out. It is important to note that there are more dangerous and less dangerous PFAS substances. Teflon belongs to the latter category.

— Chemical risks

The role and health effects of PFOA

In the 20th century, various short-chain PFAS were used in the production of Teflon. One of these was perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is soluble in water, as are many other PFAS compounds. These substances were not only used in the production of Teflon but were also widely used in firefighting foams due to their high thermal stability and non-flammability.

But what is wrong with this? PFOA has been shown to be harmful to human health. According to some studies, it can disrupt the endocrine system, lead to thyroid dysfunction, and may also play a role in the development of various cancers, such as prostate cancer [1].

As a result, large amounts of PFOA have been released into the

Sources:

[1] https://lnkd.in/dQfz7A8i
[2] https://lnkd.in/dQX9Te_D

environment, and unfortunately, it is now found in surface waters worldwide. It will probably remain there for a long time, as it breaks down in the environment very slowly. Moreover, this substance is already present in our blood, having entered our bodies through the drinking water we consume. The half-lives of PFOA and the related compounds PFOS and PFHxS in the human body are approximately 2–5 years [2]. The gradual elimination of these substances from the body is facilitated by the fact that the Stockholm Convention, which is in force in most EU Member States, strictly restricts the distribution of the three substances mentioned above.

However, the presence of PFHxA (perfluorohexanoic acid) in the environment could become a problem in the future. PFHxA has very similar chemical properties to PFOA, but its use is not currently restricted by the Stockholm Convention. Nevertheless, it can be considered a step forward that the use and distribution of PFAS-containing firefighting foams will be gradually restricted in the EU.