8 PFAS-Free Alternatives Around the House: What EWG's Research Recommends

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PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (often called "forever chemicals"), show up in more corners of the home than most people expect. The Environmental Working Group has spent years documenting PFAS exposure routes across everyday household products: nonstick cookware and bakeware coatings, flexible food packaging, period products, and municipal tap water. Those findings have driven state legislation, manufacturer reformulations, and growing awareness among families shopping for everyday goods.

This guide covers six categories where EWG's research has flagged PFAS concerns, with one or two verified in-stock picks for each. None of these products are individually rated by EWG — EWG VERIFIED® applies to personal care and cleaning products, not cookware or kitchen gear — but each sidesteps the PFAS chemistry EWG has specifically documented as a concern in its conventional category.

What EWG's PFAS Research Shows

EWG's PFAS Central research has tracked forever chemicals across consumer product categories for over a decade. The findings that drive the most parent searches: traditional PTFE-based nonstick coatings are a PFAS compound; some flexible food-contact materials contain fluorinated coatings; certain period products tested positive for PFAS in 2023 research; and municipal tap water systems across the U.S. have measurable PFAS contamination.

EWG's guidance points consistently toward materials that avoid fluorochemistry by composition — cast iron, stainless steel, glass, food-grade silicone, and organic cotton. The eight picks below follow that same logic, one or two per category, covering the most common PFAS exposure routes in a typical household.

1. Cast Iron Skillet — PFAS-Free Cookware

EWG has documented PTFE-based nonstick coatings as a PFAS exposure route in the home. Cast iron has no synthetic coating of any kind. The Lodge 10.25" skillet is iron seasoned with vegetable oil, nothing more. No PTFE, no PFAS, no ceramic coating to verify. The composition is PFAS-free by definition.

For more cookware options and material comparisons across ceramic nonstick, stainless, and full sets, see our guide to PFAS-free cookware backed by EWG's research.

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, PFAS-Free, 10.25 Inches
PFAS status: PFAS-free by composition — iron and vegetable oil only; no synthetic coatings
Price: ~$24.90
Made in: USA (South Pittsburg, Tennessee)
Works on: All heat sources including induction and open flame
Oven-safe: Any temperature

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, 10.25 Inches — Buy on Amazon ↗

2. PFAS-Free Bakeware

Conventional nonstick bakeware applies the same PTFE chemistry EWG flags in skillets. The two picks below sidestep that chemistry through different approaches. USA Pan uses an Americoat silicone-based coating that is PTFE-free, PFOA-free, and PFAS-free per the manufacturer. GreenPan uses a Thermolon ceramic coating and explicitly labels its product "PFAS and BPA Free."

USA Pan Bakeware Heavy Duty Half Sheet Pan — Budget Pick

USA Pan's Americoat coating is a silicone-based nonstick that is PTFE-free, PFOA-free, and PFAS-free, avoiding the conventional nonstick chemistry EWG has documented as a PFAS exposure route in bakeware. Made in the USA with heavy-duty corrugated steel that resists warping. At $31.99, this is the most accessible PFAS-free bakeware pick on this list.

Price: ~$31.99 | PFAS status: Americoat silicone nonstick — PTFE-free, PFOA-free, PFAS-free per USA Pan

USA Pan Heavy Duty Half Sheet Pan — Buy on Amazon ↗

GreenPan Ceramic Bakeware Half Baking Sheet, PFAS and BPA Free — Premium Pick

The GreenPan baking sheet uses Thermolon ceramic nonstick coating and is explicitly labeled "PFAS and BPA Free" in the Amazon product title. Durable steel construction, sage green handles, and certified freezer-to-oven capability. This is the pick for anyone who wants a ceramic nonstick surface with explicit PFAS-free marketing directly from the manufacturer.

Price: ~$59.99 | PFAS status: Amazon title states "PFAS and BPA Free"; Thermolon ceramic coating, no PTFE

GreenPan Ceramic Bakeware Half Baking Sheet, PFAS and BPA Free — Buy on Amazon ↗

3. Glass Food Storage — Avoiding PFAS in Food Packaging

EWG's research has documented PFAS in some food-contact materials and flexible food packaging. Glass sidesteps that chemistry entirely. Pyrex's Simply Store 12-piece set covers the most common food storage sizes in borosilicate glass. EWG recommends glass, ceramic, and stainless steel over plastic containers for food storage to reduce PFAS and related chemical exposure from food-contact materials.

For a more detailed comparison of glass and stainless food storage options, see our guide to swapping plastic food storage for glass and stainless.

Pyrex Simply Store 12-Pack Glass Food Storage Containers Set
PFAS status: Borosilicate glass — no PFAS contact concerns by composition
Price: ~$42.40
Contents: 12-piece set (six containers with lids in multiple sizes)
Dishwasher, microwave, and freezer-safe

Pyrex Simply Store 12-Pack Glass Food Storage Containers — Buy on Amazon ↗

4. Silicone Food Bags — PFAS-Free Reusable Bags

Conventional flexible plastic bags and food packaging can contain fluorinated coatings. EWG has documented PFAS in some food-contact packaging materials. Platinum food-grade silicone contains no fluoropolymers by composition — it is an inorganic silicon-oxygen polymer, not a carbon-fluorine compound. Both picks below are 100% platinum food-grade silicone, BPA-free, and compatible with the dishwasher, microwave, and freezer.

See our full comparison of silicone bag options in the companion article: swap plastic sandwich bags for reusable silicone.

Stasher Premium Reusable Silicone Snack Bag, 12 oz

The 12 oz snack bag holds about the same volume as a standard snack-size zip bag and is the most affordable entry point to reusable silicone. Pinch-lock seal, dishwasher safe, BPA-free, phthalate-free, and lead-free per Stasher. At $8.38, it is a practical first test of the switch before committing to a full set.

Price: ~$8.38 | PFAS status: 100% platinum food-grade silicone — no PFAS coatings, no fluoropolymers by composition

Stasher Silicone Snack Bag, 12 oz — Buy on Amazon ↗

Stasher Premium Reusable Silicone Sandwich Bag, 28 oz

The 28 oz sandwich bag is the direct replacement for a standard zip sandwich bag. Same platinum food-grade silicone construction and pinch-lock seal. At $11.99, both Stasher bags together cover the two most common single-use bag sizes in a packed lunch for just over $20 combined.

Price: ~$11.99 | PFAS status: 100% platinum food-grade silicone — no PFAS coatings, no fluoropolymers by composition

Stasher Silicone Sandwich Bag, 28 oz — Buy on Amazon ↗

5. Water Filter Pitcher — Removing PFAS From Tap Water

EWG's PFAS research documents widespread contamination in U.S. tap water, including in municipal supplies. EWG recommends activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters certified to reduce PFAS as a practical household mitigation step. Not all pitchers qualify — only those certified to NSF/ANSI standards specifically for PFAS removal address the concern. The Clearly Filtered pitcher is NSF-certified and targets PFOA, PFOS, and 380+ additional contaminants.

For filter comparisons across pitcher versus under-sink reverse osmosis options, see our guide to the best water filters for PFAS removal.

Clearly Filtered No. 1 Filtered Water Pitcher
Targets: 386+ contaminants including PFOA, PFOS, fluoride, and lead
Certification: NSF-certified for PFAS removal
Price: ~$109.99
Note: Buy-box active at research time; verify in stock at time of purchase

Clearly Filtered No. 1 Filtered Water Pitcher — Buy on Amazon ↗

6. Organic Cotton Tampons — PFAS-Free Period Care

EWG's 2023 research found PFAS in about half of more than 100 menstrual and incontinence products tested, with the highest concentrations found in wrappers and synthetic barrier layers. Cora's organic cotton tampons use USDA Organic certified cotton with chlorine-free processing and no synthetic fragrance. The BPA-free applicator avoids the conventional period care chemistry EWG's PFAS research has documented as a concern in menstrual products.

For a broader comparison of organic period care options, see our guide to non-toxic period care.

Cora Organic Cotton Tampons, 36 Regular
PFAS basis: USDA Organic cotton; chlorine-free processing; no synthetic fragrance; BPA-free applicator — avoids the chemistry EWG's PFAS research has flagged in conventional menstrual products
Price: ~$18.49 for 36-count (or ~$17.57 with Subscribe and Save)

Cora Organic Cotton Tampons, 36 Regular — Buy on Amazon ↗

How to Prioritize PFAS-Free Alternatives in Your Home

You do not need to replace everything at once. A practical starting point: focus on what you use most frequently and what has the most direct food or body contact. A nonstick pan used every day matters more in terms of frequency than a bakeware sheet used a few times a week.

The order that makes sense for most families: water filter first if your tap shows PFAS contamination (check EWG's Tap Water Database at ewg.org), then the everyday cooking pan, then food storage and reusable bags. Period care is a low-cost swap that can happen at any time. Bakeware is worth addressing when coated sheet pans start showing visible wear or chipping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does PFAS-free mean?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of synthetic chemicals used to create nonstick, stain-resistant, and waterproof coatings in products ranging from cookware to period pads. PFAS-free means a product does not use these chemical coatings, relying instead on materials like cast iron, stainless steel, glass, or food-grade silicone.

Why does EWG research PFAS in household products?
EWG has spent years documenting PFAS exposure routes in everyday products through its PFAS Central research, covering nonstick cookware, food packaging, period products, and municipal tap water. Their work tracks contamination sources to help consumers understand common household exposure pathways. We are not affiliated with EWG; see ewg.org for their full published research.

Is cast iron cookware truly PFAS-free?
Yes. Cast iron and stainless steel have no synthetic nonstick coating of any kind, which means no PTFE and no PFAS. Lodge's cast iron skillet is iron seasoned with vegetable oil only, making it PFAS-free by material composition rather than by certification claim alone.

Do water filters actually remove PFAS from tap water?
Not all filters do. EWG recommends activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters specifically certified to remove PFAS. The Clearly Filtered pitcher is NSF-certified and targets 386+ contaminants including PFOA and other PFAS compounds. Generic pitcher filters without specific PFAS removal certifications are not equivalent and should not be assumed to reduce PFAS.

Are silicone bags PFAS-free?
Food-grade silicone and platinum silicone bags are PFAS-free by material composition. Silicone is an inorganic polymer built from silicon and oxygen, not from carbon-fluorine bonds, so it contains no fluoropolymers. This is a property of the material itself. All the silicone bags on this list use food-grade or platinum silicone certified to FDA or LFGB food safety standards.