The non-stick coating is made of fluoropolymers. This has been shown to give off perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) when it is heated. PFOA produces various types of tumors in rats.
This substance builds up in our systems because our bodies cannot metabolize PFOA. The EPA has not yet “determined” if PFOA is a carcinogen. I find this odd, to say the least, since it is more than likely detectible in every person’s blood, in the developed countries. I was happy to hear that by the end of 2015, cookware manufactures will be eliminating PFOA from their products!