The growing data on the toxic effects of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) is difficult to ignore. PFCs belong to a class of chemicals known a perfluoroalkyls which are hazardous synthetic chemicals used to repel grease, oil and water. They are known to harm the endocrine system by causing damage to the pituitary gland and disrupting sex hormones, and are associated with weight fluctuations of 
organs, decreased fertility, thyroid disease, cancer, immune system suppression and increased levels of LDL cholesterol in children and teens, and even death upon high levels of exposure.
As awareness increases, it’s helpful to know to avoid these chemical as much as possible. They’re most commonly found in non-stick cookware, but other items that contain PFCs include carpet and fabric protectors, flame retardants and stain-proof clothing. When used in cookware, heating causes the release of gaseous flouride compounds that are strong enough to kill small birds. The fast-food industry has recently added PFCs to food wrappers, where they leach chemicals into the food which then pass into the body, eventually finding their way into the blood stream.
There’s no way to completely avoid PFCs, but there are ways to limit your exposure…
- Avoid purchasing or, at a minimum, limit use of products containing PFCs.
- Watch for packaged foods. Stay away from greasy or oily packaged and fast foods, as the packages often contain grease-repellent coatings. Examples include microwave popcorn bags, french fry boxes, and pizza boxes.
- Avoid stain-resistance treatments. Choose furniture and carpets that aren’t marketed as “stain-resistant,” and don’t apply finishing treatments such as Stainmaster® to these or other items. Where possible, choose alternatives to clothing that has been treated for water or stain resistance, such as outerwear and sportswear. Other products that may be treated include shoes, luggage, and camping and sporting equipment.
- Check your personal-care products. Avoid personal-care products made with Teflon™ or containing ingredients that include the words ”fluoro” or ”perfluoro.” PFCs can be found in dental floss and a variety of cosmetics, including nail polish, facial moisturizers, and eye make-up.
- Avoid Teflon™ or non-stick cookware. If you choose to continue using non-stick cookware, be very careful not to let it heat to above 450ºF. Do not leave non-stick cookware unattended on the stove, or use non-stick cookware in hot ovens or grills. Discard products if non-stick coatings show signs of deterioration.
As you can imagine, there’s much more to the story. Here are some links if you want more info…
- A good overview article by Dr. Joseph Mercola with much more detail and extensive hyperlinks
- A PFC Fact Sheet from Washington Toxics Coalition
- A fact sheet on the health effects of PFCs from the Global Health And Safety Initiative
