Steelworkers Lead Teflon Chemical Warnings

Associated Press is reporting that a coalition is asking the state of California to list a chemical used in the production of Teflon and other products as a cancer-causing substance. The coalition includes the United Steelworkers and several environmental groups.

The groups have filed a petition with the state under Proposition 65, a 1986 law that requires companies to notify the public about potentially dangerous toxins. If this action proves successful, California could mandate warnings to consumers who buy cooking equipment, outdoor wear, microwave popcorn bags, and other products made using perfluorooctanoic acid, know as PFOA.