PFOA stands for perfluorooctanoic acid and it is a chemical that is used to make some nonstick coatings. During some manufacturing processes, the PFOAs are burned away but with others, they linger and this is what you have to be careful of. It is important to check that your non-stick products are PFOA-free because they can leach into your food and cause a large variety of health issues with prolonged exposure.