PFOA is a surfactant used as a processing aid by several manufacturers worldwide to produce fluoropolymer materials.  PFOA is not used to make, nor is it added during the manufacturing process to produce fluorotelomer products, yet it is found in trace amounts in some fluorotelomers as an unintended by-product. 

Products made with fluoropolymers are used in many critically important applications. Industrial uses for fluoropolymers include insulation for wire and cabling, low emissions fuel hoses, pollution filters, high purity handling systems for integrated chip manufacture, and valves, tubing, liners and gaskets for severe service applications.  These products and applications have useful and unique properties such as resistance to chemical or environmental attack, high temperature capabilities, non-stick characteristics, and properties desirable for electrical applications.  In addition, non-stick coated cookware facilitates healthy cooking while providing a surface that is easily cleaned.

http://teflon.com

These fluoropolymer products are safe for their intended use and impart value and benefits to society, and the U.S. EPA has made the following statement:

"Consumer products made with fluoropolymers include non-stick cookware, and breathable, all-weather clothing. These products are not PFOA, however. The information that EPA has available does not indicate that the routine use of household products poses a concern. At the present time, EPA does not believe there is any reason for consumers to stop using any products because of concerns about PFOA. EPA wants to emphasize that it does not have any indication that the public is being exposed to PFOA through the use of Teflon®-coated or other trademarked nonstick cookware.  Teflon® and other trademarked products are not PFOA."
U.S. EPA web site, www.epa.gov/oppt/pfoa/index.htm

Products made with fluorotelomers provide superior performance in extinguishing fires and soil, stain and grease repellency.   In particular, fluorotelomers provide surface-protection for textiles, leather, stone and tile, and paper packaging. These products and applications bring consumers many benefits, which include ease of care, reduced maintenance, and extended life for a broad range of articles used every day. 

http://www2.dupont.com/Zonyl_Foraperle/en_US/index.html

In March 2008, DuPont announced new fluorotelomer products for repellants and surfactants that deliver maximun performance with minimal environmental footprint. The new DuPont™ Capstone™ products are based on short-chain chemistry and meet the goals of the U.S. EPA 2010/15 PFOA Stewardship Program. The products are commercially available for home funishings, fire fighting foam, fluorosurfactants, and other end uses.

Additional information on Capstone™ products can be accessed through the following link:

http://www2.dupont.com/Capstone/en_US/assets/downloads/final_press_release_english_3_20_2008.pdf

Additional information on the value and benefits these products provide to society can be accessed through the following link:

http://www2.dupont.com/PFOA2/en_US/assets/downloads/pdf/dup_fluoro_final.pdf