In an article published on February 19, 2016 by the U.S. television news channel WNYT, reporter Anna Meiler informs about ways to reduce exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, CAS 335-67-1). PFOA can be found in upholstery, drapes, carpets, clothing, pizza boxes, fast food wrappers, microwave oven popcorn, cosmetics, and non-stick pots and pans. “If you see the word non-stick, think perfluorinated compounds and PFOA,” stated David Carpenter, professor of environmental health sciences at the University at Albany, State University of New York, U.S.. PFOA has been linked to different types of cancer and interferes with the thyroid gland. According to Carpenter, it is nearly impossible to fully avoid PFOA. However, he suggests steps to reduce exposure to PFOA by e.g. taking fast food and pizza out of the wrapper or box right away and putting it on a plate, making popcorn the old fashioned way instead of using microwave oven popcorn bags, and replacing non-stick pots and pans with stainless steel or cast iron cookware. “I think we really depend on the government to protect us and this is a perfect case where the government has not done a good job,” Carpenter concludes.
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Anna Meiler (February 19, 2016). “How to reduce your exposure to PFOA.” WNYT
