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PTFE, the end product, is safe for general use. PFOA/PFOS were used in its manufacture, but does not need to be present in the final product or dumped unprocess
by spiznnx 3y ago
PTFE, the end product, is safe for general use. PFOA/PFOS were used in its manufacture, but does not need to be present in the final product or dumped unprocessed into the wastewater or landfill. It's only in our environment due to cost-savings reasons.
- mlyle 3y agoPTFE isn't the only end-product. There are a lot of products that use PFAS directly for water resistance and other properties. Even some personal care products like dental floss, shampoos, etc.
- spiznnx 3y agoI did not realize this. That seems rather unnecessary.
- verall 3y agoThe dental floss you're talking about is PTFE and not PFAS.
- coryrc 3y agoNope: https://www.ehn.org/pfas-floss-2658203711.html https://www.ehn.org/pfas-floss-2658203711.html
- spiznnx 3y agoPFAS is a class of chemicals that includes both the safe/stable PTFE and cancer-causing ones like PFOA, PFOS, and new ones https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per-_and_polyfluoroalkyl_substances#Example_chemicals https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per-_and_polyfluoroalkyl_subst...
- engineer_22 3y agoGreat fire retardant, heavily used in soft foam furniture like sofas. Also great for preventing stains, used on carpets. Lots of attractive applications of these chemicals and that's why they're so pervasive
- mensetmanusman 3y agoIt’s in our environment because it was used to fight fires at munition depots.
- engineer_22 3y agoIt's in fire fighting foams at airports. Every military air base has a ground plume beneath it.
- red-iron-pine 3y agoCorrect. Which is, incidentally, why most military air bases are superfund sites.