Enviroblog: Ask EWG: Why is there Teflon in clothes? Is it safe?

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Ask EWG: Why is there Teflon in clothes? Is it safe?

By Amanda

June 21, 2007

Question: I recently purchased school uniform shirts for my child and was horrified to find Dupont Teflon fabric protector stickers on the packaging. When I wrote to the company the agent said that there was no danger, as they did not use Scotchgard. Am I correct that Teflon is not better than Scotchgard?

Answer:
The Teflon fabric protector on your child’s shirts likely contains PFCs, and may break down into the common, toxic blood contaminant called PFOA. We aren't yet sure which sources cause us to be most exposed to these pernicious chemicals, but it is best to opt out of stain/water/oil repellants whenever possible.

Both Scotchgard and Teflon are in a family of chemicals called perfluorochemicals (PFCs). 3M reformulated Scotchgard in 2000, under pressure from EPA following a series of alarming company-sponsored studies surfaced linking the Scotchgard chemical (PFOS) to birth defects and showing it to be a ubiquitous contaminant in human blood. The Teflon-related chemical called PFOA has since been linked to similar concerns, and DuPont and other manufacturers are under intense regulatory and legal pressure to reduce their use of this chemical and to clean up PFOA pollution around the country. Nevertheless, PFCs that are made from or that break down to PFOA in the body or the environment are still widely used in coatings that make products ranging from food packaging to household furniture water-repellant, grease-proof, and stain-resistant.

PFCs like Scotchgard and Teflon are now in the rogues gallery of toxic, extraordinarily persistent chemicals that contaminate human blood and wildlife the world over (over 90% of Americans are showing PFOA in our bloodstream). As more studies pour in, PFCs seems destined to join DDT, PCBs, dioxin and other chemicals that are among the most notorious, global chemical contaminants ever produced. Thanks in part to EWG's hard work, in 2006 major manufacturers signed a voluntary phaseout of PFOA by 2015, but the chemical is still on the market for now.

Here's some more information on Teflon, Scotchgard, and PFCs
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Comments

I would strongly suggest not being horrified at things like Teflon. I mean, given that we live in the 21st Century and all, you're going to be in a constant state of freakout, which can't be good, either for you or for our environment.

Posted by: Fingal | June 21, 2007 9:54 PM

Hey Fingal! We wouldn't recommend freaking out either, although it's easy to react that way when you hear about things like "toxic blood contaminants". The take-away message, we hope, is that you should avoid products with stain/water/oil repellents whenever you can in order to minimize your exposure.

Posted by: Amanda | June 22, 2007 11:00 AM

People read the FACTS:
1973 90-day toxicity study in rats and dogs http://www.ewg.org/issues/pfcs/20051116/pdf/dupont1.pdf

1966 DuPont Internal Memo discussing FDA rejection of Zonyl paper use petition http://www.ewg.org/issues/pfcs/20051116/pdf/dupont2.pdf

1987 DuPont Internal memo showing Zonyl over 3 times the FDA limit http://www.ewg.org/issues/pfcs/20051116/pdf/dupont3.pdf

1984 DuPont Internal memo including petition to FDA showing approved limits http://www.ewg.org/issues/pfcs/20051116/pdf/dupont4.pdf

Posted by: NadineRN | June 22, 2007 12:35 PM

I think the attitude that we should "not freak out" over such toxic environmental chemicals is what has us in a state of such problems as alarming rates of cancers, autoimmune disorders and neurological problems. Not to mention the fact that almost all seafood is contaminated with mercury, pcbs and such, so it affects the food chain.
It takes a little "freaking out" on the behalf of consumers to force companies to stop producing and using determental chemicals. People must demand safe (not just safer) products. The best way to do that is with your buying power. If people don't purchase toxic products, companies wouldn't make them. Most companies want to make money bottom line and can only do so if they can sell their product.

Posted by: Lindsay W | June 22, 2007 3:23 PM

The article makes some very good points. Consider how often we come in contact with Teflon or Scotchguard-clothing, furniture, pans...and that's only the beginning and how often humans came in contact with these chemicals before the Industrial Revolution. We are obviously exposed to these chemicals far more often then humans once were and this exposure is having a significant impact on our environment and our health.

Posted by: Jherara | June 25, 2007 1:51 AM

I am wanting to know which food containers contain PFCs. I read somewhere that take-out boxes, such as those used at Chinese restaurants, have PFCs. But what about the salad and soup containers at Whole Foods? When I called and asked, I was told the boxes were coated only with wax. How can I confirm this information?

Thanks.

Posted by: Diana Schweickart | August 27, 2007 12:50 AM

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