When you care about where your ingredients come from, it is also important to consider what your cookware is made from. There is always talk in the news about potentially toxic chemicals, so it can be difficult to keep chemicals straight. At Xtrema Pure Ceramic Cookware, we are committed to helping our customers find healthier options in terms of the products they use every day in the kitchen. In this article, we explain what PFOA is and the disadvantages of using cookware that contains this synthetic chemical compound.
What Is PFOA?
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a perfluorinated carboxylic acid and fluorosurfactant that is commonly used to manufacture consumer products, such as nonstick cookware, furniture, household cleaners, and much more. Along with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), PFOA is primarily used to manufacture Teflon products offered by DuPont or their subsidiary, the Chemours Company. This synthetic chemical is also used to manufacture fabrics or carpeting that have been treated to be stain-resistant.
Is PFOA Safe?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other organizations, PFOA has the potential to be a health concern. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reaffirms its position that products with nonstick coatings are still safe to use when used as intended. The EPA has found trace amounts of PFOA and other chemicals at low levels in some foods and drinking water. Businesses and homes situated near chemical plants that use PFOA are susceptible to higher levels. Studies have been conducted in both the lab and on humans to determine whether PFOA can cause cancer, and these studies have shown that the chemical is possibly carcinogenic to humans.
Although PFOA can be potentially harmful to your health, there are numerous agencies that monitor the use of this synthetic chemical. The EPA launched a stewardship program in 2006 with the intention of inviting the eight major manufacturers of products that contain worrisome chemicals to participate in eliminating PFOA from emissions and products. Although PFOA is still present in many of the products used today, the industry is well on its way to eliminating the use of PFOA entirely. And everything that we offer here at Xtrema is PFOA free, because we value your health, and that of your family.
If you are at all concerned about the safety of using nonstick cookware and other household products that contain PFOA, you might consider our ceramic cookware a safer alternative. Please contact us today if you have any questions. One of our experienced and professional representatives will be happy to address any of your concerns or requests.
