When we think of Teflon, we usually think of T-Fal nonstick cookware. However, T-Fal did not invent the teflon coating, which is made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), but rather it was a spin off of the DuPont company that saw the potential for this chemical to make a non-stick pan.

Teflon has a number of remarkable properties that have led to its use in a wide variety of applications. For example, it is hydrophobic which means liquids cannot stick to it and it has excellent dielectric properties that keep it from conducting electricity or corroding when exposed to abrasive chemicals. It also has one of the lowest coefficients of friction for any solid and is self-lubricating.

While Teflon is used primarily as a non-stick coating for cookware, it is also found in many other places. For example, it is often used as a non-stick coating for metal gears or bearings in industrial equipment. It is also sometimes used as a coating to prevent corrosion on pipes that are designed to hold dangerous chemicals and as a lubricant for high-load and heavy-wear equipment.

The big problem with Teflon is that it breaks down into toxic gases and particles when it gets hot. These chemicals are then ingested by humans and animals and can cause a range of health problems including cancer, fertility issues, immune system problems, infertility, liver and kidney issues and more. The PFOA, which is the chemical used to make Teflon and was banned in 2015, is particularly harmful as it can remain in the environment for years and breaks down very slowly into the water supply, seafood, and farmland soils where humans and animals eat.