Gore-Tex and the PFOA Controversy

photo credit: Wesley Fryer

Gore-Tex and Teflon are made with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or its by-products.  We have covered the issues with Teflon and PFOA in the past. EWG covers all the scientific research behind the issues. A lot of the problems are in ground water contamination near chemical plants.

I’m trying to investigate how safe Gore-Tex is. “While PFOA is used to make non-stick materials, it is not supposed to be in the finished products, but Scott Mabury, chemistry department chair at U of T, said he and fellow researchers have evidence to support a theory that small amounts of fluorotelomer alcohols do remain, then break down and release PFOA into the air.”

“In January 2006 DuPont, 3M and six other chemical companies entered into the EPA-brokered Voluntary Stewardship Program, in which companies committed to phasing out by 2015 the use of the Teflon chemical PFOA and other closely related chemicals (“higher homologues”) (US EPA 2006a)”

I have jackets made with it and have used dental floss with it.

I cannot find research that links Gore-Tex with heath problems or specific PFOA leeching problems.

Wikipedia mentions that later versions of Gore-Tex have more layers that protect the Teflon membrane.

A confusing area for sure.  If in doubt, avoid the material.

Related posts:

1. Energy Star Rating Controversy
2. Eco Friendly Pots and Pans
3. BPA – bisphenol-A Controversy
4. What are VOCs? (Volatile Organic Compounds)
5. Eco Friendly or Green Sunscreen

Posted on November 14th, 2008
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