Green Tip of the Day

PFC Chemicals

Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are commonly found in stain guards, beauty products, and nonstick pans. Studies have linked PFCs to organ damage and hormone disruption, and they accumulate in our bodies and circulate there for years. PFCs never fully break down in nature; in gas form they warm the atmosphere up to 6,500 times more effectively than carbon dioxide (they cause global warming); and the EPA is looking to phase them out in many products.

Avoid stain-resistant treatments on carpets, clothing, and furniture, or buy products that aren't stain-guarded and apply a non-PFC-based option such as Nikwax yourself.

Check your personal care product labels for "PFTE" or "perfluoro" in the ingredients, and avoid them when you can (lotions, nail polish, powders, and shaving cream often contain them).

Lower your greasy food intake - foods like French fries and microwave popcorn sometimes come wrapped in PFC-treated packaging.

Kick your Teflon cookware habit in favor of other, greener nonstick or cast iron options.

Environmental Working Group - check out lists of products and manufacturers that use PFCs.