Teflon Finds Itself in Sticky Situation

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http://www.mercola.com/2004/oct/23/teflon.htm

 

Teflon Finds Itself in Sticky Situation

 

 

Teflon, a waxy, white powder, has become a staple in household

kitchens everywhere. But this nonstick " treasure " may do more harm

than good.

 

Accidentally invented by a DuPont chemist more than 65 years ago,

Teflon has been raising some health concerns. A chemical used to

produce it, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), has been appearing in

people and animals worldwide. One study showed that in 23 states, 96

percent of the 598 children tested, had traces of the chemical in

their blood.

 

Scientists are conducting studies to answer one plaguing question: " Is

PFOA a risk to human health? "

 

Many studies have been conducted using animals, such as rats, to

discover the answer. The studies raised concerns regarding:

 

* Children's health and development

* Risks of liver, pancreatic, testicular and mammary gland tumors

* Altered thyroid hormone regulation

* Damage to the immune system

* Reproductive problems and birth defects

 

Scientists have also been collecting blood samples from people who

live near DuPont plants located in West Virginia, North Carolina,

Minnesota and Alabama. The team's goal is to analyze the samples and

discover if there is a link between PFOA, hormone levels and liver

function.

 

Where Does This Chemical Come From?

 

Some possible sources of origin include:

 

* Teflon manufacturing plants polluting the water and air

* Heating Teflon cookware to broiling temperatures and releasing

the chemical into the air

* Vacuuming stain-resistant carpets and emitting chemical infected

dust into the air

* Washing stain- or water-resistant clothing, sending chemical

coatings down the drain and into the environment

 

According to scientists, the biggest source of PFOA is not Teflon

manufacture, but telomers, which is a related family of chemicals.

Telomers are also made by DuPont and are used to produce grease- and

stain-repellent coatings for take-out food boxes, carpets and clothing.

 

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has accused DuPont of

withholding health-related information about PFOA back in 1981, and

could charge them with more than $300 million in fines. DuPont has

already agreed to pay $108 million to settle a suit brought by

residents near a company plant concerning the detection of PFOA in the

drinking water. The company claims they have not broken any laws and

have vastly reduced emissions of PFOA.

 

A suggested solution to preventing PFOA from showing up inside people

is to simply stop making the chemical altogether. One toxicologist

said, " We're already to the point where it is in people and getting

near the point where there's significant risk. "

 

Other well-known brand names containing PFOA include Stainmaster,

Scotchgard and SilverStone.

 

Seattle Times October 1, 2004

 

Environmental Working Group October, 2004

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

Why is it that that companies can develop chemicals that essentially

persists forever in our environment and never be held accountable to

the chemicals' effects on our health?

 

Instead of worrying if you are heating Teflon products to a

dangerously high temperature in fear of emitting chemicals into the

air, I think it seems wise to potentially avoid this material all

together. However, Teflon products do offer a certain convenience so

it would seem reasonable to use them as long as you did not use high

temperatures or promise to throw the pan away as soon as it has a

scratch in the coating as nearly all Teflon pans are coatings over

aluminum pans and the aluminum is something that you absolutely do not

want in your food.

 

Further, I recommend avoiding stainless steel because of the potential

aluminum toxicity that has been linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Although aluminum pots are probably less problematic than other

sources of aluminum like drinking water and antiperspirants, I

personally would not use aluminum cookware.

 

The best cookware would be ceramic-coated metal as the ceramic is

virtually inert and will not transfer any metal ions to the food you

cook. It is also important to use a stable oil and not overcook your food.

 

If you decide to go against the warnings, and continue the use of

harmful products, plan on discarding most all Teflon coated cookware

after about one year of regular use. As soon as a scratch develops on

the surface, this cookware will start to leach aluminum, as that is

the typical metal used beneath most Teflon coated cookware.

 

To discover more on the topic of chemical exposure in cookware, I

recommend reading Dr. Paul Connett's commentary on this study.

 

I also recommend Dr. Doris Rapp's highly important book, Our Toxic

World: A Wake Up Call, which thoroughly addresses our exposure to

numerous chemicals everyday through the air we breath, the water we

drink and the products we use.

 

Related Articles:

 

Warning: Teflon Can Cause Birth Defects & Infertility

 

Toxic Chemicals Found in Nearly ALL Foods

 

Teflon Chemicals are a Threat to Health

 

Flame Retardant in Furniture Causes Concern

 

Aluminum in Water May Increase Alzheimer's Risk