Materials Library
The materials that make up your home.
One canonical page per material, coating, and chemical worth knowing about — written once, linked from every category and article where it appears.
Chemical
PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
PFAS are a family of thousands of synthetic fluorinated compounds prized for their ability to repel water, oil, and heat — and criticised for their persistence in the human body and the environment.
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BPA
Bisphenol A
BPA is an industrial chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is an endocrine disruptor at low doses, and 'BPA-free' plastics often use structural analogues with similar activity.
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Phthalates
Plasticiser chemicals
Phthalates are a family of chemicals that make plastics soft and flexible and carry fragrance in personal care products. Several are recognised endocrine disruptors and are restricted in children's products worldwide.
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Metal
Stainless Steel
Iron–chromium–nickel alloy
Stainless steel is a durable, corrosion-resistant alloy that anchors most non-toxic kitchens. Grade matters: 18/10 and 18/8 stainless is what you want touching food.
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Cast Iron
Molded iron with a seasoned polymer surface
Cast iron is one of the oldest cookware materials still in daily use. Well-seasoned, it becomes a naturally nonstick, near-indestructible pan that lasts generations.
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Carbon Steel
Iron–carbon alloy, lighter than cast iron
Carbon steel is the professional kitchen's default pan. It seasons like cast iron, heats faster, weighs less, and forms a slick, natural nonstick surface with regular use.
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Aluminum
Light, thermally responsive metal
Aluminum is one of the most common cookware metals — cheap, light, and excellent at conducting heat. It is safest when anodized or clad, and more debated when bare and worn.
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Lead
Heavy metal contaminant
Lead is a potent neurotoxin with no safe exposure level in children. It rarely appears in modern products by design but persists in older homes, imported pottery, and some water systems.
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Cadmium
Heavy metal contaminant
Cadmium is a heavy metal that appears in pigments, some ceramics, and occasionally as a contaminant in cocoa, leafy greens, and rice. It accumulates in the kidneys over decades.
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