EPA Says Teflon Material A Likely Carcinogen

A semantic upgrade by the Environmental Protection Agency in a report on perfluorooctanoic acid, a chemical compound used to make Teflon, moves the compound from "suggested carcinogen" to "likely carcinogen." The change in status may have huge legal ramifications. The scientific advisory panel to the EPA will submit the report next month revealing the results of their investigation of a common compound used in creating non-stain, non-stick material for products like frying pans and pizza boxes. PFOA is a synthetic chemical sometimes called "C8." Companies use PFOA to make fluoropolymers, substances with special properties that have thousands of important manufacturing and industrial applications, according to the