Here's A Few PFC Sources & What To Do

http://www.ewg.org/reports/pfcworld/products.php



In an effort to find out just how widely PFCs are used in consumer products, EWG searched the web and store shelves to provide a sampling of available products containing Teflon, Scotchgard, Gore-Tex, Stainmaster or other PFCs. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it demonstrates the depth of the market for PFC applications.

Click on the product categories below to see just a few of the places we've found PFCs in consumer products. See link.
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What can you do?

Although some exposures to PFCs are unavoidable - they have been found in food, air, and drinking water - you can choose to avoid many PFCs in future purchases of consumer products. Doing so will help reduce the impacts of the "PFC" economy on human health and wild animals. Here are some tips:

* Phase out the use of Teflon and other non-stick cookware and other equipment that is heated in your home. If you can afford to replace it now, do so. When heated to high temperatures, Teflon and produccts with other non-stick PFC coatings emit fumes that can be harmful.
* Do not use Teflon or non-stick cookware in your home if you have pet birds. In fact, avoid any kitchen equipment that contains Teflon or other non-stick components that are heated to high temperature during use. Fumes from these materials can quickly kill birds.
* When you purchase furniture or carpet, decline optional treatments for stain and dirt resistance, and find products that have not been pre-treated with chemicals by questioning the retailers. Most of these chemical treatments contain PFCs that might contaminate your home and family.
* Avoid buying clothing that bears a Teflon label or other indication that it has been coated for water, stain, or dirt repellency. Many of these coatings are PFCs. By buying alternatives you will help shrink the PFC economy and the associated global contamination.
* Minimize packaged food and greasy fast foods in your diet. These can be held in containers that are coated with PFCs to keep grease from soaking through the packaging. PFCs are used in a wide variety of containers, including french fry boxes, pizza boxes and microwave popcorn bags.
* Avoid buying cosmetics and other personal care products with the phrase "fluoro" or "perfluoro" on the ingredient list. Among products that might contain PFCs are lotions, pressed powders, nail polish, and shaving cream.