Perfluorooctanoic acid commonly referred to as POFA is a perfluorinated carboxylic acid. This acid is produced and used worldwide as an industrial surfactant used in a number of chemical processes and as a material feedstock. However, it is proven to be considered a health concern and is subjected to regulatory action and voluntary industrial phase-outs.
Studies in lab animals and based on limited evidence in humans, it is found that exposure to PFOA is subjected to increases the risk of certain tumours of the liver, testicles, mammary glands, pancreas and kidney cancer.
Teflon is referred to as a group of man-made chemicals. The most common of which is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Since the 1940s, PTFE is commercial used as it is versatile and is extremely stable as it doesn’t react with other chemicals. This chemical is used as a non-stick coating surface for pans and other cookware. moreover, it is also used in many other products for instance such as fabric protectors.
However, apart from the possible risk of getting infected by flu-like symptoms due to inhaling fumes from an overheated Teflon-coated pan, there are no proven risks to humans from using cookware coated with Teflon.
