What Is PTFE, and Is It a PFAS?

PTFE, polytetrafluoroethylene, is the most commonly used PFAS in nonstick coatings, according to Health Canada, and under Minnesota’s law and the OECD’s definition it counts as a PFAS. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says Teflon is the trademarked brand name for one member of the PFAS family, polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, and that as a PFAS it is prohibited from use in cookware under Minnesota’s law. The OECD defines PFAS as chemicals with at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom, and counts fluoropolymers among polymeric PFAS.

PTFE and PFOA are different chemicals. The EPA says PFOA, itself a PFAS, was widely used as a processing aid to manufacture nonstick PTFE coatings and other fluoropolymers.

The EPA’s 2021 multi-industry PFAS report describes high-molecular-weight fluoropolymers, including PTFE, as chemically and thermally stable, insoluble in water and less bioavailable, and notes that nonpolymer PFAS have been used as processing aids in making certain fluoropolymers.

Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.

The sources behind this answer

  • Government sourceHealth Canada says many nonstick coatings are made with PFAS, and that the most commonly used PFAS in nonstick coatings is polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE. Health Canada ↗
  • Regulatory filingThe Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says Teflon is the trademarked brand name for one member of the PFAS family, PTFE, and that as a PFAS it will be prohibited from use in cookware. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency ↗
  • Regulatory filingMinnesota law defines PFAS as a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. Minnesota Revisor of Statutes ↗
  • Government sourceThe OECD’s 2024 report restates its 2021 definition, under which PFAS are chemicals with at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom, with a few noted exceptions. OECD ↗
  • Government sourceThe same OECD report divides PFAS into non-polymeric and polymeric categories, and names fluoropolymers among the polymeric PFAS. OECD ↗
  • Government sourceThe EPA says PFOA is a PFAS that was widely used as a processing aid to manufacture nonstick PTFE coatings and other fluoropolymers. US EPA ↗
  • Government sourceThe EPA’s 2021 multi-industry PFAS report says certain high-molecular-weight fluoropolymers, including PTFE, are chemically and thermally stable, insoluble in water and less bioavailable. US EPA ↗

Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.

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