PTFE- Polytetrafluoroethylene

This Holiday Season,

It’s Time to Run the Ingredients in the 
Urban Decay 'Born to Run' Eyeshadow Palette!

Lakhani, A. (Photographer).Urban Decay 'Born to Run' 2018 Palette [Photograph]. Calgary, Canada.

The Youtube and Instagram makeup-gurus recommend this sensational new eyeshadow, but among others brands such as Too-Faced, E.L.F., and MAC Cosmetics who have mascaras, eyeshadows and contour palettes, the presence of PTFE is guaranteed!

PTFE- polytetrafluoroethylene is popularly known as Teflon- a name that strikes an immediate connection to a renown cookware brand.¹ A combination of multiple C₂F₄ units create a compact PTFE structure with Fluorine atoms strongly attracted to one another.² To its benefit, PTFE has low friction due to its electronegative properties and how well it behaves with positive atoms such as hydrogen.³ The product is a water resistant, smooth and slick polymer- initially created by Roy Plunkett in 1938.⁴

Plunkett worked with manufacturing giant DuPont to produce a line of cookware products in the 1960’s but that came to a halt when they found negative health effects when products were overheated.⁵ PTFE is stable when used between -200°C and +260°C but anything higher can be toxic.⁶ Fumes released around 400°C causes “polymer fume fever” which scientists say is carcinogenic to human health.⁵ Even though there have been no resulting casualties in humans, a report shows that cockatiel birds died within thirty minutes of undisclosed exposure.⁷ Having said this, PTFE cannot be blamed alone as the toxic effects are only lethal when combined with PFOA- perflurorooctanoic acid.⁸ It is now safe to say that the toxic combination is no longer used in non-stick cookware coatings.⁵

Is PTFE completely discontinued? The answer is NO. Modern manufacturing synthesizes PTFE in a pellet form and also as a paste which can be made into a powder.⁵ It is found in numerous household products such as stain-resistance sprays, wall-coverings and even fiberglass fabrics.⁵ In makeup it is used as a binding/ skin conditioning agent.⁹ The trendy new Urban Decay ‘Born to Run’ palette shows PTFE in each of its colors. While the EWG Skin Deep Guide only calls it a moderate risk, shoppers need to be aware of environmental damage.⁹ The only method for disposal is to burry it in landfills since it cannot be burned.⁴ Unfortunately PTFE degrades over time and produces TFA- trifluoroacetate which remains in the soil.⁵ Perhaps it’s time for consumers to think of long-term sustainability!

References

⁽¹⁾  Teflon. (2018). Britannica Online Academic Edition. Retrieved from http://academic.eb.com/levels/collegiate/search/articles?query=teflon

⁽²⁾  Harrell, J. Slide Player: PTFE. [Image]. (2015). Retrieved from https://slideplayer.com/slide/4246590/

⁽³⁾ Clark M. (2007). Intermolecular bonding and the physical properties of PTFE. Retrieved November 21, 2018 from https://www.chemguide.co.uk/qandc/ptfe.html

⁽⁴⁾  Science History Institute. (2018). Roy J. Plunkett. Retrieved November 22, 2018 from https://www.sciencehistory.org/historical-profile/roy-j-plunkett

⁽⁵⁾ Advameg Inc. (2018). How Products are Made: Teflon. Retrieved November 24, 2018 from http://www.madehow.com/Volume-7/Teflon.html

⁽⁶⁾ AFT Fluorotec. (2016). The Properties and Advantages of PTFE. November 24, 2018 from https://www.fluorotec.com/blog/the-properties-and-advantages-of-polytetrafluoroethylene-ptfe/

⁽⁷⁾ Huang, M. (2015). Ask a Toxicologist: Is it safe to use Teflon in Pans?. November 24, 2018 from http://tibbs.unc.edu/ask-a-toxicologist-is-it-safe-to-use-teflon-pans/

⁽⁸⁾ Gallucci, A. (2018). How Toxic is Teflon? Ohio AG Files Lawsuit Against DuPont. Retrieved November 21, 2018 from https://www.plevinandgallucci.com/teflon-lawsuit/

⁽⁹⁾ EWG’s Skin Deep. (2018). E.l.f. Contour Palette. Retrieved November 21, 2018 from https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/product/677556/e.l.f._Contour_Palette/