2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

In 1961, DuPont, in collaboration with American entrepreneur Marion Trozzolo, introduced the “Happy Pan,” to the delight of housewives all over the country, especially those with a penchant for burning food. Coated with a new substance, Teflon, food magically slid from the pan, leaving little residue and ending the onerous task of scouring. Early ads touted Teflon as “an amazing new concept in cooking” and an antidote for young couples who want more time together: “Happy the young homemaker (and her husband, too!) who gets full set of [brand name]’s TEFLON-Coated Aluminum Cookware.” In addition to cookware, Teflon is used in numerous industries, ranging from pharmaceuticals to textiles to the military.

As a result, virtually every living creature on the planet is contaminated with Teflon. It has been associated with numerous cancers, such as kidney, bladder, ovarian, prostate, and testicular, due to the PFOAs (also known as C8) used in manufacturing the substance. This came as no surprise to DuPont, as the company was fully aware of the danger posed by Teflon and engaged in a decades-long cover-up to hide the problem from the public and employees alike.

This paper will recount the facts of the case, examine the ethical issues involved, and offer suggestions for classroom usage. Audience members will learn about a new case to use in curricula such as chemical engineering, a case that literally affects every person is the world.