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Teflon's Legacy and Environmental Impact

May 17, 2025

Lecture Notes: The Teflon Story and the PFAS Problem

Introduction

  • In 1929, mysterious deaths in Chicago were linked to refrigerators leaking toxic gases.
  • DuPont, a chemical company, sought safer alternatives for these refrigerator gases, leading to the discovery of Teflon.

Discovery of Teflon

  • Roy J. Plunkett at DuPont discovered polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), later known as Teflon, while experimenting with tetrafluoroethylene (TFE).
  • Teflon was found to be remarkably inert due to strong carbon-fluorine bonds.
  • Initially used in military applications during World War II, particularly for nuclear bomb fuel processing.

Commercialization of Teflon

  • DuPont trademarked Teflon in 1944 and began commercial production after the war, leading to widespread use in non-stick cookware and other applications.

Environmental and Health Impacts

  • C8, a processing aid for Teflon, was discovered to be toxic and persistent in the environment.
  • Studies in the 1960s showed that C8 could cause liver enlargement and was linked to various health issues.
  • Massive contamination was found, affecting animals and humans globally.

Legal and Regulatory Issues

  • DuPont faced lawsuits for poisoning water supplies with C8, notably in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
  • A 2013 study confirmed links between C8 and several diseases, including certain cancers.
  • DuPont phased out C8 but replaced it with GenX, which also posed health risks.

The PFAS Family

  • PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) include over 14,000 chemicals, known for their persistence in the environment.
  • They are used in a variety of consumer products, creating widespread contamination.
  • PFAS are often referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their inability to break down.

Health Implications and Public Awareness

  • PFAS are found in the blood of nearly all Americans and are linked to various health issues.
  • Public awareness is critical, with efforts to reduce exposure and demand safer alternatives.

Efforts to Address PFAS Contamination

  • New regulations aim to limit PFAS in drinking water to extremely low levels.
  • Researchers and companies are developing filtration methods and safer alternatives.

Conclusion

  • The story of Teflon and PFAS highlights the challenges of balancing technological advancements with environmental and health safety.
  • Ongoing research and public activism are crucial in addressing the legacy of PFAS and preventing similar issues in the future.

Full transcript