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Did you know that April 6th is National Teflon Day? That’s right, it’s a day to celebrate a product that is severely toxic to humans and has helped contaminate the planet! But the industry wants you to think that is a good thing.

Clean Water Action celebrates National Teflon Day in a different way. This year California is poised to take its biggest action yet to ban the toxic chemicals in Teflon, and we want you to be a part of that by supporting SB 682 (Allen) – which will ban all unnecessary uses for PFAS.

Teflon contains PFAS, which are a class of 14,000 man-made “forever” chemicals that do not break down in the environment, spread rapidly in our water and air, and contaminate our soil and food sources. Moreover, even at very low levels, they are associated with cancers, developmental harm, liver damage, thyroid problems, impaired immunity, and reduced vaccine efficacy. Monitoring to date has detected one or more PFAS chemicals in the drinking water of 25 million Californians thanks to their use in everyday products, including Teflon cookware.

Over the last few years Clean Water Action has led in the work to ban the use of PFAS in a variety of products and require accurate labeling of the presence of PFAS in cookware. This year we are sponsoring SB 682, which will ban PFAS in cookware, cleaning products, dental floss, non-paper food packaging, ski wax, and children’s products.  These uses of PFAS have already been banned elsewhere and alternatives without PFAS are readily available.

It’s time for an “End to Teflon” Day!  Join Us In The Fight! 
 

Updated August 21, 2025.

2025 California Legislative Priorities

In 2025, Clean Water Action sponsored four groundbreaking bills to restrict the continued use of super-toxic chemicals before they enter our water and bodies and to ensure that all Californians have access to clean, affordable water.

Preventing PFAS Pollution

PFAS chemicals have been dubbed “forever chemicals”, because they are extremely persistent, lasting thousands of years in the environment. Small amounts of the toxic chemicals can cause many serious health problems. Clean Water is working at the national and state level to stop PFAS pollution at the source.

PFAS: Coping with California's "Forever Chemicals" Crisis

California has a major PFAS crisis impacting the environment and public health: virtually all Californians have PFAS in their bodies, and the chemicals have been detected in at least 146 public water systems serving 16 million people.