PTFE is a hot topic right now, but one that is greatly misunderstood. When people hear the acronym PTFE – polytetrafluoroethylene – they think it’s a bad thing.
However, PTFE itself isn’t the issue. Instead, it is PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, a chemical that USED to be in PTFE that is giving it a bad rap. PFOA is known as a forever chemical as it is very stable and lasts a very long time in the environment. Because it lasts so long, it is still found in the environment from things like stain-resistant carpeting, water-repellent clothes, and foams used to fight fires.
Today, U.S. manufacturers of PTFE do not use PFOA acid. In 2006 (18 years ago), the EPA developed a program to eliminate the use of PFOAs in the United States and asked the major U.S. companies to stop making the chemical by 2015, which they did. U.S.-manufactured PTFE has been PFOA-free since 2013 (11 years).
Fluoramics only uses PTFE from reliable United States sources. Fluoramics and our sources also adhere to all domestic and international regulations regarding PFOA and testing standards for PFOA.
Contrary to what some people believe, PTFE does not break down to be a source of PFOA.
As always, Fluoramics’ engineering personnel are available to discuss this with you by phone at 507-205-9216 or email at Ask an Engineer or [email protected].
