Alternative chemicals may reduce safety concerns about nonstick, repellent coatings

Washington, Feb 4 (ANI): Concerns over potential toxic effects of the chemical used in nonstick cookware have led scientists to look for alternatives to ease safety concerns.

The manufacturers are using new versions of these chemicals that may be safer.

According to Chemical and Engineering News (C and EN) Senior Editor Stephen K. Ritter, long-chain compounds like perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) can cause developmental problems, liver toxicity, and cancer in animals. Uncertainty exists over their health effects in people.

Chemical companies are working to phase out PFOS and are in the process of phasing out PFOA.

They are replacing these chemicals with shorter chain fluorochemicals that perform just as well but appear to be safer.

Although these new ingredients are considered sound replacements, they may only be a temporary fix, pending development of a new generation of less toxic substitutes. (ANI)