PFAS, or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, are a class of synthetic chemicals that have been used in a variety of industries for decades. However, recent studies have shown that these substances can be harmful to both humans and the environment.
As a result, many companies are now searching for alternatives to PFAS. In this article, we will discuss three alternatives to PFAS that are currently being used by businesses around the world.
The first alternative is a substance called Fluorad FC-430, which is produced by the company Solvay. This product has been used in many industries and applications for over 60 years. It is an alternative to PFAS because it does not contain any fluorine atoms or chlorine atoms (although there are small amounts of other halogens in some cases).
The second alternative is a substance called Teflon AF, which was developed by DuPont and released on December 20th, 2016 after extensive testing proved its safety.
The third alternative is GenX: A chemical compound that combines two different types of carbon-fluorine bonds into one molecule, creating what scientists believe will be the next generation of nonstick coatings without PFAS.
In addition to replacing PFAS in nonstick coatings, GenX is also being developed for use in other industrial applications such as carpets and clothing.
Each of these alternatives has unique benefits and drawbacks that you should be aware of before making a decision about which one to choose for your needs.
Benefits: GenX is a better alternative than Teflon because it has been tested extensively and proven to be safe for human consumption by FDA standards. The alternative, GenX, does not contain any PFOA or PFOS which are known carcinogens found in Teflon coatings and other nonstick materials used widely throughout the world today.
In addition to being safer than traditional fluorinated compounds like PTFE (Teflon), GenX also offers better performance at higher temperatures up to 500°F compared with 400°F for most types of nonstick cookware made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTE).
Drawbacks: Some people may have concerns about using this alternative due to its costlier price tag.
So, these alternatives are safe?
Yes, but not completely. According to studies done by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these alternative coatings have been found to degrade at higher temperatures than those used in traditional nonstick cookware made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
The chemicals used for alternative products are not regulated as strictly under federal law like other chemicals such as PFOA and PFOS which means that some of them may still be harmful when inhaled or ingested into your body over time with repeated exposure.
In conclusion, alternative to PFAS are available that do not contain harmful chemicals. While they may be more expensive, the benefits of using them outweigh any hesitation people may have.
