EPA Calls For Teflon Chemical Ban (Voluntary)

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http://www.mercola.com/2006/feb/7/epa_calls_for_teflon_chemical_ban.htm

 

EPA Calls For Teflon Chemical Ban

 

The EPA has asked eight manufacturers to cease production of

perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a suspected carcinogen used in the

making of Teflon. The manufacturers have been requested to reduce PFOA

production 95 percent by 2010, and stop using it altogether by 2015.

 

In Most People's Blood

 

PFOA is currently used to make water- and grease-proof products,

including microwave popcorn bags, non-stick cookware, and upholstery.

It is found in the blood of upwards of 95 percent of Americans, and it

has been linked to cancer in animal studies.

 

DuPont

DuPont, which has announced it will comply with the voluntary

guidelines, has been the focus of the investigations into the risks of

PFOA. The company has paid over $16 million for fines and other

payments in the wake of charges that it had hidden information about

the dangers of PFOA.

 

USA Today January 26, 2006

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

Considering all the bad news stemming from DuPont's negligent behavior

regarding PFOA, this sounds like a great idea, right?

 

But, here's the catch: This cutback is completely voluntary, according

to the Environmental Working Group, because the Toxic Substances

Control Ban doesn't give the EPA the authority to enact a ban.

 

Hard to believe a chemical flowing through the bloodstreams of nearly

every U.S. citizen and tied to so many common household products can't

be legally banned by a federal agency like the EPA, but it's true.

 

Of course, there are less toxic alternatives, including a similar

chemical made of four carbon atoms instead of the eight found in PFOA,

that don't accumulate in your body under consideration. Of course,

manufacturers like DuPont could have switched to those alternatives

long ago -- but they didn't, being as usual more concerned with their

profit than your well-being.

 

Even if PFOA is phased out over the course of a decade, you need to

take the situation into your own hands. The first step is to toss out

every pan in your house that has Teflon on it. The moment you heat the

pan it starts to vaporize and this toxic chemical will go into your

bloodstream.

 

Last year one of our columnists, Gary Craig, posted his story of

relieving a long standing health challenge which resolved nearly

immediately after he threw out his Teflon pans. His story results in

many dozens of others who wrote us of similar stories.

 

I know it is hard to believe, but it is true. It took me a few years

to become convinced, but once you are aware of this truth you simply

have no logical choice but to throw those pans out and never buy

another one.

 

Do not leave them in your home or you will be tempted to use them.

Please believe me; I am absolutely convinced they are very dangerous

and you should not be exchanging the convenience for the health damage.

 

For the sake of your health and that of your family, you should enact

a Teflon ban in your home on both cookware and contaminated paper

products such as the paper bags of microwave popcorn you thought were

safe.

 

Related Articles:

 

Teflon Chemicals are a Threat to Health

 

EPA Says Teflon Could Put Your Health at Risk

 

Warning: Teflon Can Cause Birth Defects & Infertility