Search Site
Menu
PFOA

Chemicals in Non-Stick Coatings May Cause Illness

What are Perfluorochemicals?

Perfluorochemicals (called PFCs) are a group of synthetic chemical compounds that have been used extensively in industrial processes to create surface coatings and protectant formulations. These chemicals have unique surfactant properties, meaning that they lower surface tension. These compounds include:

  • PFAC, Perfluoroalkyl carboxylate
  • PFAS, Perfluoroalkyl sulfonate
  • PFCA, Perfluorocarboxylic acid
  • PFDeA,  Perfluorodecanoic acid
  • PFHxS, Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid
  • PFNA, Perfluorononanoic acid
  • PFOA, Perfluorooctanoic Acid (also referred to as “C8”)
  • PFOS, Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid
  • PFOSA, Perfluorooctane sulfonamide
  • PFSA, Perfluorosulfonic acid
  • POSF, Perfluorooctanesulfonyl fluoride

PFCs are used in products to treat surfaces in order to repel oil, grease, and water. They have been used as protectants on paper, cardboard, packaging, carpets, leather, textiles and nonstick coatings on cookware. PFCs, especially PFOS and PFOA, have been released to the air, water, and soil in and around fluorochemical facilities in large amounts. These releases have caused substantial concern because PFCs like PFOA persists indefinitely in the environment. This means that the chemicals are resistant to biodegradation. In fact, PFOA is so prolific that it is even found within the bodies of most people in the United States. The use of PFOA by major manufacturers has been reduced in recent years due to environmental and health concerns.

PFCs are in Everything—including You—But How Much is Too Much?

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, long-chain PFCs are found world-wide in the environment, wildlife, and in humans. They are bioaccumulative in wildlife and humans, which means that they amass within the body over time. These chemicals are toxic to laboratory animals and wildlife, producing reproductive, developmental, and systemic effects in laboratory tests. Researchers suspect that continued exposure to these chemicals could result in adverse health effects, especially because of the long half-life of the substances.

The major way people are exposed to the most commonly used PFCs are through food and water ingestion. Young children can also be exposed by hand-to mouth transfer from treated carpets. People who work with PFCs, including manufacturing employees and people who treat and install carpets, may have a higher amount of exposure.

People Exposed to PFCs, including PFOA (C8), May Face Increased Risk of Illness

PFOA and PFOS are the most commonly used PFCs, which stay unchanged in the body for many years. They do not accumulate in fat like many other chemicals, but bind to serum proteins. Higher extravascular concentrations are usually found in the liver and are excreted mostly through urine. Studies of workers exposed to PFOA found changes in sex hormones and cholesterol associated with levels of PFOA in blood. There are some studies that suggest that pregnant women exposed to PFOA may relate to low birth weight. The United States Environmental Protection Agency is in the initial phases of examining the potential of PFOA to cause cancer.

The Toxic Injury Lawyers Fight for People and Communities Exposed to PFOA

If you are concerned about PFOA pollution in your community or the possibility of perfluorochemical (PFC) release affecting your water source, you should contact the Toxic Injury Lawyers. Our team has represented entire communities affected by PFOA discharges against some of the largest chemical companies. The Toxic Injury Lawyers believe that if you’re made ill by someone else’s actions, you deserve relief. Call and speak to a member of our courteous staff at 732-355-1311, or submit a confidential case inquiry here.

Our Attorneys
What clients are saying about us
  • "I highly recommend this law firm because they were responsive and sensitive to my needs and won. I chose this firm after having talked to 6 other firms because within minutes of contacting them I was able to speak to Mr. Lieberman himself. Mr. Lieberman and the junior attorneys did not make me feel small just because I am an individual, a mother, and not a big corporation. My phone calls & emails were returned promptly. They listened to exactly what I wanted & delivered. The defendant was nasty and ignored us and at times I felt like this was going nowhere. The attorneys worked well to reach a settlement that exceeded my expectations. Mr. Lieberman is a very seasoned lawyer who has compassion for his clients. The best thing about Mr. Lieberman is that he trains his staff to have that same level of compassion and respect for clients. " - Z.B., Jersey City, NJ

  • "I would like to personally thank Lieberman & Blecher for their help and advice to my family in dealing with an environmental cleanup issue. When it is a big company and their legal team against a small property owner, I have learned that you need an expert to protect your property and your rights. The team at Lieberman & Blecher did this for my family in a professional and cost effective manner. I would certainly recommend this firm to anyone in need of legal assistance" - C.K., Woodbridge, NJ

Contact The Toxic Injury Lawyers

Quick Contact Form