Forever chemicals are all around us, in our water, food, and air. These synthetic chemicals are called PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and have been used in nonstick cookware since the 1950s. Their unique properties make frying pans and saucepans resistant to heat, oil, stains, and water—all while releasing dangerous chemicals that live forever in our bodies and the environment. 

Their nickname comes from their staying power—which is quite literally forever. Once created, PFAS don’t degrade for centuries, and they leak into soil and water during their formation, use and disposal. They’re so persistent that forever chemicals are now found in the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the food we eat, thanks to their use in engines, the construction industry, and medical, electrical and refrigeration devices, and even in nonstick cookware that we use every day in our homes. Nonstick cookware is in fact one of the most pervasive sources of PFAS. Thanks to its proximity to the food we cook and eat, it’s one of the most common sources of forever chemical contamination. 

These toxic chemicals are even in our blood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 97% of Americans have PFAS inside their bodies. 

Existing in more than 12,000 forms, this makes these chemicals almost impossible to avoid—but we can limit our exposure, starting by upgrading our cookware. 

PFAS In Nonstick Cookware

Nonstick cookware is one of the most common places to find PFAS, thanks to their properties that make food and stains detach easily from metal.

PFAS are what make nonstick frying pans and saucepans nonsticky. Conventional nonstick cookware is made with a PFAS called PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), also known as Teflon. When conventional nonstick pans get scratched and have their nonstick coating unavoidably damaged with use, or are heated for high temperatures or for a long period of time, they release toxic particles into the air and into the food you cook. This has been linked to significant health risks and negative consequences. 

GreenPan proves that you don't have to sacrifice your health to keep your nonstick pans. You don’t have to give up your perfectly fried egg or easy-to-clean cookware, just upgrade to a nonstick solution that’s better for your health. Their frypans are toxin-free, unlike conventional cookware, lacking harmful chemicals including PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. Instead of Teflon, GreenPan products are coated with Thermolon™, a groundbreaking technology that starts with sand. It’s made from inorganic ingredients which makes it safe to use in contact with all foods. It’s been tested by third-party labs and certified as safe according to USA Food & Drug Administration, German LFGB, the Swiss government, and KTR standards. And it’s even more effective than conventional pans at cooking food without sticking.

GreenPan founders Jan Helskens and Wim De Veirman were inspired to create the brand in 2007 after learning how toxic conventional nonstick pans can be. They wanted to protect consumers from dangerous chemicals leaching into every meal you make, believing there was a better way to cook. Their healthy ceramic nonstick pans prove that they succeeded. Not only are their pans PFAS-free, they actually heat up faster than traditional coatings, and cook more evenly. 

Just How Harmful And Widespread Are PFAS?

In short, PFAS are definitely cause for concern. These forever chemicals accumulate within the tissue of living beings over time, which is troubling because they’ve been linked to a wide range of health issues. One study, using data from 69,000 people, found that there was a probable link between exposure to these chemicals and multiple kinds of cancer, kidney, liver, and thyroid disease, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, and pregnancy-induced high blood pressure. 

The Environmental Protection Agency has linked PFAS to other health effects including decreased fertility, developmental delays and low birthweight in children, hormonal disruption, reduced effectiveness of the immune system, and more. 

These chemicals have even been found to have negative effects on unborn children. A 2022 study found that greater PFAS exposure during pregnancy affected infant motor skills and early neurodevelopment. 

There are thousands of PFAS currently in use, and not all levels of PFAS exposure will lead to these consequences. While the toxicity of some is well-documented, others haven’t been studied or are lacking data, so their potential effects are unknown. However, enough negative information has emerged that the scientific community is concerned about their effects, especially because of their environmental persistence. 

These dangerous chemicals are incredibly widespread, they don’t degrade, and they can move around extremely easily in water. This means that once they’re released into the environment, such as when you accidentally use a metal utensil on a conventional nonstick pan and scratch the surface, they remain intact for long periods of time and have the ability to migrate into the environment and into your body. 

These chemicals have been found all over the world, including in remote areas such as the Arctic and in wildlife globally.  

How To Avoid Forever Chemicals And Limit Your Exposure

You might feel panicked after reading this, feeling that you’ve been unknowingly exposed to toxic chemicals every time you cook a meal—and you’re right to feel concerned. There are plenty of things you can do to limit exposure and feel safer in your own kitchen, however. 

One of the easiest, simplest ways to avoid PFAS and forever chemicals is to switch to nontoxic cookware like GreenPan. GreenPan is committed to stopping the unhealthy cycle of being slowly poisoned every time you use a conventional nonstick pan by providing healthy, PFAS-free, and wonderfully effective options. You don’t have to suffer using substandard pans just to feel safe! 

GreenPan’s healthy, nonstick ceramic coating has been around since 2007 and is the first and best alternative to Teflon and other similar toxic nonstick coatings, so you know they know what they’re talking about. Their entire production facility is dedicated to making PFAS-free cookware to avoid any potential PFAS cross-contamination. They’re also the only ceramic nonstick coating that’s certified as safe by the National Sanitation Foundation. 

As well as switching out your cookware to GreenPan, there are some other simple steps you can take to limit your exposure to forever chemicals. 

Deliberately cooking at lower temperatures can help to prevent PFAS from leaking into your home and body. Conventional nonstick pans should be used for a maximum of 45 minutes to limit exposure. Or just use GreenPan pans, which don’t release toxic fumes even if you accidentally overheat them.

It’s also good practice to avoid scratching your pans with metal utensils. Instead, use safer silicone utensils (GreenPan makes smart silicone utensils in gorgeous colors, if you need some inspiration to put down that old metal spatula).

It’s a great idea to consider the lifecycle of the products you buy, and invest in things that are certified safe (like GreenPan) and won’t degrade over time. This way, you’ll be doing all you can to limit your exposure to toxic chemicals and helping to reduce global pollution for your children and grandchildren.