Most people know that Teflon chemicals are in cookware. However, chemical coatings used in food packaging have proven to break down into Teflon chemicals as well. Scientists are investigating human exposure from oil, stain, and grease repellent coatings on paper and cartons such as french fries boxes, sandwich wrappers, and microwave popcorn bags.

• Situation analysis, paper and packaging business, 3M internal document
• Fluorochemical use, distribution and release, 3M internal document
• Fast food companies asked to disclose use of toxic chemicals in food packaging, press release, Environmental Working Group

"According to 3M Company testing, Teflon chemicals are present in the blood of about 95% of people living in the United States. [PFOA or C8] linked to the coatings on take-out food cartons and raincoats is 'likely' to cause cancer in humans, according to a draft report by a panel of an independent advisory board to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Scientists are not sure how the chemical - perfluorooctanoic acid - is getting into people, but it is found widely in human blood throughout the United States. Some researchers say the source is the deterioration of water- and grease-repellant coatings used on carpets, raincoats and takeout-food boxes,” Philadelphia Inquirer, June 29, 2005.

• Perfluochemical dictionary Environmental Working Group
• Perfluorochemicals: Potential sources of and migration from food packaging, Taylor & Francis
• It’s in the microwave popcorn, not the Teflon pan, Rebecca Renner, Environmental Science and Technology, November 16, 2005