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Non-Stick Cookware Continues to Prove Its Toxicity
More evidence has emerged regarding the dangers of Perflurooctanoic Acid (PFOA), which is
used in the production of non-stick cookware and stain-resistant snack food packaging. PFOA
is currently found in the bloodstream of 95 percent of American men, women, and children.
Now, a study has shown a correlation between PFOA and low birth weight in newborns. One of
the head researchers in the independent study, Dr. Lynn Goldman, said that, “It appears that
there is a relation between a higher level of exposure and lower birth weight, as well as the
circumference of the head.”
Another recent study showed that PFOA caused an overreaction to allergens in mice.
PFOA has already been implicated in increased instances of cancer in the pancreas, liver,
testicles, and mammary glands, as well as miscarriages, thyroid problems, weakened immune
systems, and low organ weights.
A growing community of scientists believe the largest concentration of PFOA comes from the
telomers used to make the stain and grease repellent coatings for fast food containers,
apparel, and carpeting
It's been exactly 70 years since Teflon was first introduced, and we’re now reaping what was
sowed -- most Americans test positive for PFOA in their blood, which the EPA has just recently
identified as a likely human carcinogen.
Talk about being a day late and a dollar short.
Since its creation in 1938 by the DuPont Company, it has been added to countless household
and personal care products besides non-stick cookware, such as
As an unregulated and untested chemical, Teflon gained wide distribution before scientists
began looking into its impact on human health.
Now we know that simple acts like vacuuming carpeting with the "stain-resistant" claim will
release the chemical into the air to be circulated in your home.
In another example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) looked at microwaveable popcorn
packaging and found that PFOA is not only present in the inner coating of the bag, but that it
migrates to the oil from the packaging during heating.
At this point PFOA is so prevalent that even many of your sources of drinking water have been
contaminated.
Why is Teflon Cookware so Bad For Your Health?
Non-stick cookware has become enormously popular because of its convenience factor; foods
don’t stick to the surface.
However, it has now been shown that once heated – which is bound to happen when cooking –
non-stick pans will quickly reach temperatures at which toxic fumes are released.
The coating begins to break down and release toxins into the air at a temperature of only 446
degrees Fahrenheit.
After about three to five minutes of heating, when the pans reach 680 degrees, they release at
least six toxic gasses, including:
Now, if you heat your non-stick cookware to 1,000°F, a temperature that DuPont scientists have
measured from stove top drip pans, according to EWG (Earthwatch Working Group), the
coatings will break down into a chemical warfare agent known as PFIB, and a chemical analog
of the WWII nerve gas phosgene.
That puts a whole new spin on “healthy home cooking,” doesn’t it?
The Many Health Hazards of PFOA
In animal studies, PFOA (sometimes also referred to as C8), which is the chemical that makes
Teflon-coated aluminum slippery and non-stick, were found to cause:
How Do You Detox From PFOA?
That’s one of the most unfortunate parts of this mess. You can’t -- at least not quickly.
We now know that once PFOA is released into the environment, it doesn't break down quickly
and disappear. According to Tim Kropp, a toxicologist with the Environmental Working Group,
even if a person exposed to PFOA cuts off all future exposure, it still takes up to 20 years for
the body to get rid of that initial contamination..
Other research has shown that four years after exposure, PFOA blood levels were still only
reduced by half.
How to Reduce Your Exposure
Needless to say, your best bet is to pay attention to the products you use, in particular when it
comes to your cookware. The best choice out there, in my opinion is enameled cast iron
cookware.
This type of cookware is not only extremely durable and easy to clean (even the toughest
cooked-on foods can be wiped away after soaking it in warm water), it is completely inert, which
means it won’t release any harmful chemicals into your home or your food.
They are also very heavy, which is great for two reasons. Not only does it help build your muscle
strength, but from a cooking perspective it becomes far more difficult to scorch your food. Since
the pans have so much mass, you avoid the typical hot spots created by using gas burners on
thin metal pots.
Additionally, avoid French fries, candy bars, pizza, and microwave popcorn, where Teflon
coatings are commonly used. Fortunately, once you’re on the path of optimal health, these are
items you probably wouldn’t touch anyway.
Scott Dostal
Your Health Success, LLC
586-463-9017
www.yhs.wholefoodfarmacy.com
More evidence has emerged regarding the dangers of Perflurooctanoic Acid (PFOA), which is
used in the production of non-stick cookware and stain-resistant snack food packaging. PFOA
is currently found in the bloodstream of 95 percent of American men, women, and children.
Now, a study has shown a correlation between PFOA and low birth weight in newborns. One of
the head researchers in the independent study, Dr. Lynn Goldman, said that, “It appears that
there is a relation between a higher level of exposure and lower birth weight, as well as the
circumference of the head.”
Another recent study showed that PFOA caused an overreaction to allergens in mice.
PFOA has already been implicated in increased instances of cancer in the pancreas, liver,
testicles, and mammary glands, as well as miscarriages, thyroid problems, weakened immune
systems, and low organ weights.
A growing community of scientists believe the largest concentration of PFOA comes from the
telomers used to make the stain and grease repellent coatings for fast food containers,
apparel, and carpeting
It's been exactly 70 years since Teflon was first introduced, and we’re now reaping what was
sowed -- most Americans test positive for PFOA in their blood, which the EPA has just recently
identified as a likely human carcinogen.
Talk about being a day late and a dollar short.
Since its creation in 1938 by the DuPont Company, it has been added to countless household
and personal care products besides non-stick cookware, such as
- Clothing (Gore-Tex jackets and other apparel)
- Nail polish removers
- Eyeglasses
- Products designed to repel soil, grease and water, such as carpet and furniture
treatments - Pizza boxes, microwave popcorn, and other non-stick food wraps
- Protective sprays for leather, shoes, and clothing
- Paint
- Cleaning products
As an unregulated and untested chemical, Teflon gained wide distribution before scientists
began looking into its impact on human health.
Now we know that simple acts like vacuuming carpeting with the "stain-resistant" claim will
release the chemical into the air to be circulated in your home.
In another example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) looked at microwaveable popcorn
packaging and found that PFOA is not only present in the inner coating of the bag, but that it
migrates to the oil from the packaging during heating.
At this point PFOA is so prevalent that even many of your sources of drinking water have been
contaminated.
Why is Teflon Cookware so Bad For Your Health?
Non-stick cookware has become enormously popular because of its convenience factor; foods
don’t stick to the surface.
However, it has now been shown that once heated – which is bound to happen when cooking –
non-stick pans will quickly reach temperatures at which toxic fumes are released.
The coating begins to break down and release toxins into the air at a temperature of only 446
degrees Fahrenheit.
After about three to five minutes of heating, when the pans reach 680 degrees, they release at
least six toxic gasses, including:
- Two carcinogens
- Two global pollutants
- MFA, a chemical deadly to humans at low doses
- The Teflon brand, it was found, rose to 721°F in five minutes under the same conditions.
Now, if you heat your non-stick cookware to 1,000°F, a temperature that DuPont scientists have
measured from stove top drip pans, according to EWG (Earthwatch Working Group), the
coatings will break down into a chemical warfare agent known as PFIB, and a chemical analog
of the WWII nerve gas phosgene.
That puts a whole new spin on “healthy home cooking,” doesn’t it?
The Many Health Hazards of PFOA
In animal studies, PFOA (sometimes also referred to as C8), which is the chemical that makes
Teflon-coated aluminum slippery and non-stick, were found to cause:
- Serious changes in organs including the brain, prostate, liver, thymus, and kidneys,
showing toxicity. - Death of several rat pups that were exposed to PFOA.
- Changes in the pituitary in female rats, at all doses.. The pituitary controls growth,
reproduction, and many metabolic functions. Changes in the size of the pituitary are
considered an indication of toxicity. - An association with tumors in at least four different organs in animal tests.
- An increase in prostate cancer in PFOA plant workers.
- Other unrelated studies have also found evidence of birth defects in babies from PFOA-
exposed workers. In 1981, two out of seven women who worked at a DuPont Teflon plant
gave birth to babies with birth defects.
How Do You Detox From PFOA?
That’s one of the most unfortunate parts of this mess. You can’t -- at least not quickly.
We now know that once PFOA is released into the environment, it doesn't break down quickly
and disappear. According to Tim Kropp, a toxicologist with the Environmental Working Group,
even if a person exposed to PFOA cuts off all future exposure, it still takes up to 20 years for
the body to get rid of that initial contamination..
Other research has shown that four years after exposure, PFOA blood levels were still only
reduced by half.
How to Reduce Your Exposure
Needless to say, your best bet is to pay attention to the products you use, in particular when it
comes to your cookware. The best choice out there, in my opinion is enameled cast iron
cookware.
This type of cookware is not only extremely durable and easy to clean (even the toughest
cooked-on foods can be wiped away after soaking it in warm water), it is completely inert, which
means it won’t release any harmful chemicals into your home or your food.
They are also very heavy, which is great for two reasons. Not only does it help build your muscle
strength, but from a cooking perspective it becomes far more difficult to scorch your food. Since
the pans have so much mass, you avoid the typical hot spots created by using gas burners on
thin metal pots.
Additionally, avoid French fries, candy bars, pizza, and microwave popcorn, where Teflon
coatings are commonly used. Fortunately, once you’re on the path of optimal health, these are
items you probably wouldn’t touch anyway.
Scott Dostal
Your Health Success, LLC
586-463-9017
www.yhs.wholefoodfarmacy.com
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_____________________
Another reason to educate
yourself and consider a
more organic lifestyle.
_____________________
Non-stick pans should not be
a part of a healthy kitchen.
I've used stainless steel
professional cookware for years.
They cleanup beautifully and most
cooking tasks can use parchment
paper to replace aluminum foil.
If you are living a healthy lifestyle
then fast food, microwave
products and candy bars in the
checkout aisles of the
supermarkets are not part of your
diet.
A few years ago Dupont did pay a
multi-million dollar settlement for
knowing about the dangers of the
PFOA's, however, this huge
corporation barely felt this penalty.
The most significant way to create
better cooking ware is to purchase
from companies that create
beautiful cookware without the
non-stick properties.
I did place some bolding in this
article. - Tana Dean
Another reason to educate
yourself and consider a
more organic lifestyle.
_____________________
Non-stick pans should not be
a part of a healthy kitchen.
I've used stainless steel
professional cookware for years.
They cleanup beautifully and most
cooking tasks can use parchment
paper to replace aluminum foil.
If you are living a healthy lifestyle
then fast food, microwave
products and candy bars in the
checkout aisles of the
supermarkets are not part of your
diet.
A few years ago Dupont did pay a
multi-million dollar settlement for
knowing about the dangers of the
PFOA's, however, this huge
corporation barely felt this penalty.
The most significant way to create
better cooking ware is to purchase
from companies that create
beautiful cookware without the
non-stick properties.
I did place some bolding in this
article. - Tana Dean