Since the PFOA ban, a range of similar chemicals from the same family of PFASs are being used – and they could be equally dangerous. They are under investigation at the moment as they are thought to likely disrupt hormone balance and could be linked to other long-term health problems, such as cancer and birth defects.
PFOA
PFOA, sometimes called ‘C8’, was once used in the manufacturing process to help disperse PTFE particles into water and avoid them clumping together. It lingers in the environment and can stay in our blood stream for a long time.
In February 2006, the EPA’s Science Advisory Board voted that PFOA should be considered a likely carcinogen. And, since 2015, it’s been banned around the world.
Lead and Cadmium
Some traditional non-stick pans still contain lead and cadmium. Both are poisonous, even in tiny doses.