PFOA
abbreviation or noun
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
Leslie SavanSome companies use PFOA to help their nonstick coatings spread evenly over the cookware during manufacturing.—David Schardt
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
American Cancer Societycalled also perfluorooctanoate
Examples of PFOA in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency announced maximum contaminant levels of 4.0 ppt for both PFOA and PFOS.
—Lauren Lifke, Baltimore Sun, 12 June 2025
But the vast majority of utilities face problems with PFOA or PFOS.
—Michael Phillis, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
According to the study, fiber could help lower PFOA and PFOS, two types of long-chain PFAS that are no longer used in the U.S.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025
The Biden administration’s rule also set standards for the two common types of PFAS, referred to as PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion, effectively the lowest level at which they can be reliably detected.
—Jeremy Tanner - 05, The Hill, 17 May 2025
Limits on just two of those – PFOS and PFOA – will remain set at 4 parts per trillion, although the EPA now plans to give water systems two more years to comply, setting the deadline in 2031 instead of 2029.
—Austin Fast, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Some utilities wanted a higher limit on PFOA and PFOS, according to Mark White, drinking water leader at the engineering firm CDM Smith.
—Michael Phillis, Twin Cities, 15 May 2025
Yet the Trump administration attempted to throw a bone to chemical manufacturers and water utilities by delaying the agency’s deadline to reduce PFOS and PFOA in tap water until 2031, and by gutting limits on four other versions of forever chemicals.
—Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
But what utilities really wanted was a higher limit on PFOA and PFOS, according to Mark White, drinking water global practice leader at the engineering firm CDM Smith.
—Michael Phillis, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
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Lauren Lifke, Baltimore Sun, 12 June 2025
But the vast majority of utilities face problems with PFOA or PFOS.
—Michael Phillis, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
According to the study, fiber could help lower PFOA and PFOS, two types of long-chain PFAS that are no longer used in the U.S.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025
The Biden administration’s rule also set standards for the two common types of PFAS, referred to as PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion, effectively the lowest level at which they can be reliably detected.
—Jeremy Tanner - 05, The Hill, 17 May 2025
Limits on just two of those – PFOS and PFOA – will remain set at 4 parts per trillion, although the EPA now plans to give water systems two more years to comply, setting the deadline in 2031 instead of 2029.
—Austin Fast, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Some utilities wanted a higher limit on PFOA and PFOS, according to Mark White, drinking water leader at the engineering firm CDM Smith.
—Michael Phillis, Twin Cities, 15 May 2025
Yet the Trump administration attempted to throw a bone to chemical manufacturers and water utilities by delaying the agency’s deadline to reduce PFOS and PFOA in tap water until 2031, and by gutting limits on four other versions of forever chemicals.
—Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
But what utilities really wanted was a higher limit on PFOA and PFOS, according to Mark White, drinking water global practice leader at the engineering firm CDM Smith.
—Michael Phillis, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“PFOA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/PFOA. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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