PFAS
A family of thousands of fluorinated chemicals used to make things resist water, grease and stains. They do not break down in the body or the environment, which is why they are called forever chemicals. The CDC has found them in the blood of almost every American it has tested.
Definition and health context from ATSDR.
We checked 11,795 products and found PFAS reported or likely in 1,537 of them.
Where PFAS turns up
Categories we grade, worst first, as a share of what we scored in each.
| Category | Flagged | Scored | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| incontinence-pads | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| Nonstick Saucepans | 13 | 15 | 87% |
| Pizza Boxes | 13 | 15 | 87% |
| Softshell Jackets | 13 | 15 | 87% |
| Microwave Popcorn | 67 | 78 | 86% |
| Panini Presses | 12 | 14 | 86% |
| Fast-Casual Food Packaging | 11 | 13 | 85% |
| Rain Pants | 12 | 15 | 80% |
| Waffle Makers | 12 | 15 | 80% |
| Umbrellas | 12 | 15 | 80% |
| Frozen Food Packaging | 12 | 15 | 80% |
| Roasting Pans | 12 | 15 | 80% |
| Air Fryers | 173 | 219 | 79% |
| Incontinence Pads | 158 | 214 | 74% |
Where we found real evidence
Reported or likely, lowest scoring first. Not plausibility.
Heating PTFE above 500°F (260°C) releases perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) precursors and other fluorinated gases; acute exposure causes polymer fume fever (reversible). Risk is real but preventable with low-to-medium heat discipline on cooktops.
PTFE nonstick coatings are prone to fume release if heated above 160-200°C. This pan carries no temperature-warning label specific to PTFE fume hazard, increasing misuse risk. Inhalation of decomposition byproducts has been linked to polymer fume fever in acut
PTFE degrades above 500°F, releasing volatile organofluorine compounds including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). While the ActiFry operates below this threshold at normal settings, localized overheating, damage, or user error can exceed temperature limits and t
PTFE coatings degrade and release fume byproducts above 500F/260C. Overheating is a user-control issue, but the coating's sensitivity means careless handling (e.g., preheating empty pans on high) poses inhalation risk. This risk is material-specific to PTFE, n
PTFE coatings can emit fumes above 500°F; T-Fal does not specify a maximum safe temperature in most product literature. Risk is low during normal stovetop use below 400°F but increases significantly if pan is overheated or used on high direct heat without food
PTFE releases toxic fluorinated gases above 500°F, documented by EPA and animal toxicology studies. Risk depends entirely on user heat control; most home stovetop use stays below this threshold if monitored. No brand-specific temperature safety labeling on thi
PTFE coatings release potentially toxic fumes (including perfluorinated compounds) when heated above 500°F. Risk is present during normal stovetop use if temperature is not monitored, particularly in homes with poor ventilation or in the presence of birds (who
PTFE coatings on cookware release toxic fumes when heated above 500°F. This is a well-established hazard; all-Clad does not publish a documented safe upper temperature limit for this specific model, placing the burden on user discipline.
PTFE nonstick coatings release irritant gases (primarily fluorinated volatile organics) above 600F, a temperature reachable during wok stir-frying on high flame. This is an established hazard class, not specific failure of T-fal, but inherent to PTFE cookware.
PTFE-based nonstick coatings are established to release hydrogen fluoride and other toxic fumes when heated above 500°F. This product lacks explicit temperature limiters; users must manually monitor heat. Pet birds and sensitive individuals are at highest risk
PTFE nonstick coatings release fumes above 400-500F. All-Clad does not market temperature warnings on the product itself. Accidental overheating is a known user error with nonstick cookware; the risk is primarily acute (respiratory irritation) rather than chro
PTFE coatings release fluorinated compounds when heated above 400-500F; gradual heating to high temperatures during cooking can trigger this. All-Clad does not specify a maximum safe temperature in product literature, placing responsibility on the user to avoi
What to buy instead
Highest scoring products with no flag for it, in the categories where it is worst.
Answers about PFAS, with every source linked
- Which Cosmetic Ingredients Are PFAS?
- What Is PFAS?
- What Is GenX?
- What Is PFOA, and How Is It Different From PFAS?
- What Is PTFE, and Is It a PFAS?
- Is Teflon Banned?
- Is There a List of PFAS Chemicals?
- How Do I Test My Water for PFAS?
- Should I Get a PFAS Blood Test?
- How Can I Reduce My Exposure to PFAS?
- Is Ceramic Cookware Safe?
- Is Teflon (PTFE) Cookware Safe?
- Are Air Fryers Toxic?
- What Is PFOS?
- What Are Endocrine Disruptors?
- Is There PFAS in Clothing?
- Is There PFAS in Toilet Paper?
- Is There PFAS in Bottled Water?
- Is Tap Water Safe to Drink?
- Why Is There Chlorine in Tap Water?
- Is Parchment Paper Toxic?
- What Is Teflon Flu?
- Does Reverse Osmosis Remove PFAS?
- What Is TDS in Water?
- Is Deli Meat Bad for You?
- Is Well Water Safe to Drink?
The other chemicals we screen for
Every product here is checked against all of these, so a product that clears PFAS may still be flagged for one of them.
Common questions
What is PFAS?
A family of thousands of fluorinated chemicals used to make things resist water, grease and stains. They do not break down in the body or the environment, which is why they are called forever chemicals. The CDC has found them in the blood of almost every American it has tested.
Which products contain PFAS?
Of the 11,795 products we have graded, 3,591 are flagged for it and 1,537 on reported or likely evidence rather than plausibility. incontinence-pads is the worst category at 100% of what we scored there.
Is PFAS in incontinence-pads?
More than in anything else we grade. 1 of the 1 incontinence-pads we scored carry a flag for it, which is 100%. The full breakdown per product is on each product page.
What can I buy instead?
In the categories where it turns up most, the highest scoring products with no flag for it are GreenPan Chatham Ceramic Nonstick 3-Quart Saucepan with Lid at 70, Who Gives A Crap Krusty Krab Full Size Pizza Box Costume Prop at 70, 8" Kraft Paper Open Pizza Box at 70. Every one of those was graded on the same rubric as the products above.
How do you know?
We do not lab test. Every grade here is built from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, brand disclosures, recalls and third party lab results where those already exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so, and where a brand publishes nothing we score the silence rather than guessing.
30% of everything we grade carries a flag for PFAS. See every hazard we track or browse the full products list.