65/ 100
D
OverallF59/100
iFixit Silicone Work Mat

Pyrex · Silicone Cutting & Prep Boards

iFixit Silicone Work Mat

D · Elevated

Lower concern. Silicone work mat, no PFAS triggers identified.

Verdict: SkipSilicone work mat poses minimal chemical hazards; low heat exposure, no known leaching issues, and Pyrex's established cookware safety record support safe use.

iFixit silicone work mat is made from silicone elastomer, an inherently PFAS-free material with no nonstick or water-repellent coatings. No public evidence of PFAS risk.

Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.

Material

silicone (elastomer)

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

Why this grade

Safe base material

Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).

Helps the grade

Category baseline

cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.

Hurts the grade

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement about PFAS in this product.

Hurts the grade

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

This is a silicone elastomer mat, not ceramic or metal cookware. Silicone is a synthetic rubber polymer that does not contain lead, cadmium, or ceramic glazes prone to leaching. It is thermally stable to roughly 400-500°F depending on formulation, well above typical prep-surface temperatures. Silicone does not degrade into microplastics under normal work-mat use (cutting, rolling, organizing parts), since it experiences minimal mechanical stress and no heat cycling.

The brand's record and disclosure

Pyrex is owned by Instant Brands and has a long history in heat-safe cookware with established safety protocols. However, Pyrex has not publicly disclosed silicone sourcing standards, manufacturing certifications (e.g., FDA or NSF compliance), or formal PFAS testing for this particular mat. The product's safety relies on industry-standard silicone supply chains; no major recalls or contamination incidents have been reported for iFixit-branded silicone mats.

How it compares in its category

Silicone work mats occupy a lower-risk niche than traditional cookware because they do not contact food at high temperatures, so leaching hazards (aluminum, lead, enamel breakdown) are not applicable. They are safer than PVC or vinyl mats, which can off-gas plasticizers. Compared to rubber or canvas mats, silicone is non-porous, reducing bacterial growth risk and chemical absorption.

If you buy it

Keep the mat away from direct sustained heat above 400°F and sharp tools that could perforate it (which could release fragments into work areas). Wash with mild soap and warm water; avoid abrasive scrubbing that accelerates surface wear. Replace if visible tears, discoloration, or sticky residue develops. Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight, which can degrade elastomers over years.

Beyond PFAS: other things we checked

Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”

None known

Silicone elastomer leaching or degradation

No documented leaching of silicone oligomers or degradation byproducts under normal work-mat use (room temperature, no food contact, minimal heat). Silicone is inert and stable in the absence of extreme heat or aggressive solvents.

None known

Thermal fume risk (Teflon-type coating or other coatings)

This mat is pure silicone with no Teflon-type coating, PFOA, or Teflon-family coating coatings. No fume risk at any temperature within normal use parameters.

Possible

Microplastic or particle shedding

Aged or damaged silicone can fragment under stress or UV exposure, though risk is low for mats stored indoors and used for light assembly/organization work. Visible tears should prompt replacement to prevent micro-shedding.

None known

Bacterial or fungal growth

Silicone is non-porous and resistant to microbial colonization. Proper drying after cleaning eliminates this risk. Not a food-contact surface in this application.

None known

Heavy metal contamination in pigments or additives

No public data on pigment or additive composition for this specific mat. Industry-standard silicone typically uses food-grade dyes with minimal heavy metal content, but Pyrex has not disclosed certification for this product.

What we don’t know

This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.

No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.

The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.

Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.

More silicone cutting & prep boards grades

How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.