PFOA

abbreviation or noun

ˌpē-ˌef-ˌō-ˈā 

plural PFOAs

: a fluorinated carboxylic acid C₈HF₁₅O that is a member of the PFAS group and that has been used especially for its water and stain resistance (as in carpeting and upholstery), as a surfactant (as in firefighting foam), as a coating for nonstick cookware, and as an emulsifier in the synthesis of fluorinated polymers : perfluorooctanoic acid

Used in thousands of products from cookware to kids' pajamas to takeout coffee cups, PFOA is a likely human carcinogen, according to a science panel commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency.

—Leslie Savan

Some companies use PFOA to help their nonstick coatings spread evenly over the cookware during manufacturing.

—David Schardt

… PFOA and some closely related chemicals (such as PFOS) are now no longer made in the US, although they are still made in some other countries …

—American Cancer Society

called also perfluorooctanoate

Examples of PFOA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The new regulation limits the presence in public drinking water of two PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, to a maximum of 4 parts per trillion—the lowest amount feasible. —Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 20 Apr. 2024

The new rule announced on Friday empowers the government to force the many companies that manufacture or use perfluorooctanoic acid, also known as PFOA, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, known as PFOS, to monitor any releases into the environment and be responsible for cleaning them up. —Coral Davenport, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

Here’s how the new standards are affecting east-metro communities: The city of South St. Paul was informed that seven of its eight wells do not meet the new standards with some exceeding the PFOA and PFOS limits and other wells containing a mix of other PFAS chemicals. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2024

What about those? Wisconsin has standards of 70 ppt for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, which went into effect in 2021. —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024

For example, the EPA data shows Louisville, Kentucky, measured PFOA at about double its limit one time in the half-dozen samples reported last year. —USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

Research suggests any level of exposure to PFOA and PFOS can bring a risk of negative health impacts—and the EPA has previously recommended even lower limits on these chemicals in water. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency finalized an enforceable 4 parts per trillion (ppt) limit on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 11 Apr. 2024

Water utilities will now have to filter out five of more than 12,000 types of individual forever chemicals — PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS and HFPO-DA, also known as GenX chemicals. —Jen Christensen, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above