Beware: Teflon Products Can Harm Your Baby

re: Beware: Teflon Products Can Harm Your Baby

hsu973 — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:43:39 GMT

By accident I fell asleep while heating a frying pan on the stove. (It was a long day). I woke up stifling and coughing on the chemical fumes that was everywhere. Fortunately, it was Winter and I opened the windows and let all the smoke out, but it made me wonder about what was in it at that time. I have since switched to Dr Mercola's cookware. Not to digress, but someone else passed along an interesting website re: Gov't & FDA collusion in spreading "HIV causes AIDS" which is now being refuted.

www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/aids.htm

re: Beware: Teflon Products Can Harm Your Baby

azjanet_203 — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 21:01:00 GMT

More info from SCANPAN:

Q7. What is the benefit of the patented SCANPAN nonstick surface technology?

A: SCANPAN Classic, SCANPAN Professional and SCANPAN Ergonomic feature a patented nonstick surface that is created by firing a ceramic-titanium compound into the pan at 36,000° F and twice the speed of sound. The ceramic-titanium particles become one with the pan at that point. A subsequent application of a specially formulated PTFE provides the nonstick effect. There is no tool in the kitchen that is harder than this surface, which allows using metal spatulas. SCANPAN Classic, Professional and Ergonomic come with a manufacturer's lifetime warranty.

Q9. Recent news reports (January 2006) seem to make a case for nonstick pans being unsafe to use. Is that so, and if not, why not?

A: These reports have focused on PFOA and the EPA's review of this chemical as a potential health hazard. Here are the facts:

PFOA is a "carrier chemical" that appears during the production of Teflon® and other PTFE raw materials. During the production process, all PFOA is 100% removed and captured in filters, which are then discarded in compliance with applicable laws. THAT is where the EPA comes in – on the environmental side of the raw material manufacturers. The PFOA issue is an EPA issue, not an FDA issue.

It is unfortunate that the media shows the image of a Teflon® pan while reporting on PFOA. They should show the image of a factory producing PTFE and capturing and filtering out the PFOA.

There is no PFOA present in the finished product.

SCANPAN Cookware is PFOA free.

All SCANPAN Cookware imports from Denmark are FDA certified and safe to use for food preparation.

Q12. What heat settings do you recommend?

A: That depends on the task at hand. For frying and sauteing, use a medium to medium high setting to bring the pan to working temperature, then add seasoning and food. For stir frying, browning and searing, preparing pasta water etc. medium high to high heat is needed.

re: Beware: Teflon Products Can Harm Your Baby

azjanet_203 — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:43:24 GMT

SCANPAN does use PTFE in their non-stick, ceramic-coated, titanium cookware.

This is what they say on their website:

PTFE (short for polytetrafluoroethylene) is the base compound for any and all nonstick coatings. PTFE provides the food release. The SCANPAN formula works with the patented ceramic-titanium surface construction to provide long lasting nonstick performance. This PTFE is safe to use for food preparation and is FDA approved. Only if the pan is accidentally overheated or cooked dry could temperatures be reached that may cause the PTFE portion to break down and emit fumes that have been known to be harmful to exotic birds, due to their extra sensitive respiratory system (they would, for instance, be harmed by burnt butter fumes, as well). It is a good idea to keep birds away from the kitchen!

re: Beware: Teflon Products Can Harm Your Baby

Conniegirl — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:24:20 GMT

I have had a Blue & Gold Macaw as a pet for the past 12yrs. Teflon is extremely toxic to her. I immediately learned to rid my home of any teflon products as under the process of heat they emit toxic gases that can kill her. Birds are very sensitve to chemicals that humans can not decect - this is why they used to send the canary's into the mine shafts before they let the workers in. If the canary came back, it was safe for the workers. It has always made sense to me that if it was dangerous for my bird it was dangerous for me. I love to cook and cast iron and stainless steel cookware work just fine.

re: Beware: Teflon Products Can Harm Your Baby

Sheila C — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 12:45:07 GMT

Teflon heated to temperatures between 300 - 500 degrees Celsius, may produce a waxy fume, if inhaled will cause chills, fever, profuse sweating, cough, difficulty breathing, chest tightness and flu-like symtoms. This is refered to as "polymer fume fever" and may last for 1 - 2 days, with the exception of the chest tightness, which may persist for a number of weeks.

When my friend's bird died (she kept it in the kitchen), I asked her if she used teflon. Yes, she said, her daughter always cooks with their teflon cookware and always on the highest temperature.

re: Teflon Products Are Damaging Fetuses in the Womb

Magnolia — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Love your comment, Russ!

re: Teflon Products Are Damaging Fetuses in the Womb

Katee Roux — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Why is the public not more aware of the problems with nonstick pans? Why is this not reported more? These pans are everywhere.

I switched to old corningware glass months ago. But no one else i know seems to be aware of how bad these are.

re: Teflon Products Are Damaging Fetuses in the Womb

Bridestein — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Although I do believe teflon damages fetuses in the womb, I have not heard of anyone (other than drug addicts) having smaller babies.
In the 60's people had 6 or 7 pound babies - now they're all 8 and even 9 or more pounds. In fact, 'the baby is too big' is one of the excuses doctors have been using to justify the (supposed) need to give everyone a caesarean.
Makes me wonder about this study.

re: Teflon Products Are Damaging Fetuses in the Womb

Russ Bianchi — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 05:00:00 GMT

"Yes, I'll have the fake hydrogenated trans fat laden egg beater whites, please use a Teflon non stcik pan, a side of medium toasted Wonder Bread with polymer infused 'smart' margarine spread on the side, some Smucker's HFCS jam also please, a triple lethal caffeine level light-roasted bean expresso, a plastic bottle of hormone neutering fluoridated spring water, hold the real lemon wedge, some gmo and acrylamide deep fried hashbrowns, one of those olestra low fat muffins, but make it the small one, because I don't want to have to change mypanties from anal leakage, and would you please warm the muffin in the microwave, and, oh yes, a super sized diet soda with Splenda/sucralose...."

"Yes, Ms.; 'One DOA With A Standard Diet Coke!'".