Dr. Mercola March 06 2008 45,774 views
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 frightening 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:
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 stovetop drip pans, according to EWG, 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:
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 -- and the one that I personally use -- is a new high tech ceramic cookware. Glass cookware is also a suitable alternative, but I feel that ceramic cookware is a much better option.
Ceramic 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 unlike other sets of cookware. Below is a short table depicting hazardous cookware and why it should be avoided.
Cookware Material
Potential Hazards
Teflon
PFOA induced potential health hazards -- from your immune system to birthing activities
Aluminum
Is a reactive metal and suspected casual factor in Alzheimer's disease
Stainless steel
Potential likelihood of metal leaching into your food and allergen issues
Copper
Due to the possibility of copper caused discomfort, recommended to never have direct contact with your food
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.
so frustrating!!!....When will they see that the emperor has no clothes???
Curlilox, people so do NOT want to hear the truth and frequently get angry! Nevertheless, I will continue to spread my own brand of loony, conspiracy theory, tree-hugging nonsense. ;)
I've had similar experiences as well, my friend was trying to buy a pan and I told her that the non-stick cookware is toxic, so she did actually buy the cast iron pan I recommended. Incidentally she had never heard about why teflon was toxic, so this was news to her. But after about a week, she went out and bought a teflon pan anyway (since the last teflon pan had become burnt and wasn't working too well anymore...) , when I asked her "why", she said that she likes the teflon ones better since less food sticks to them.
I've just realized that many people don't want to hear it.
It just takes overheating a Teflon pan for five seconds for all birds in the same house (despite closed doors, fans, filters, etc) to fall over dead. Talk about the canary in the coal mine! Where is our instinct to run?
Worst is when the topic comes up on a bird care community, then you get to see just how many people will give up their health and the lives of their birds just for a little bit of convenience.
As for people who so not want to hear the truth, I have a brother in law who smokes, drinks heavily, and does not care what he puts in his mouth. Just recently he told me he wanted to have a short painful death. I think he was trying to make a joke???
I have to wonder about the "low birth rate" babies! If 95% of us have these toxins in our system, then why do so many of us have big, healthy, hale babies who often weigh in at the 8-9 pound range? I was exposed to teflon most of my life and all 8 of my kids were born normal weight (7lb9 1/2 oz-9lb12 oz). I know toxins are not good for us, but I do not buy all the rhetoric that is put out there. Since almost all of the population has been exposed, why are there more healthy babies born at healthy weights than under-weight? I do not buy all this research as it seems to be feeding on people's fears. I want real science and real answers. When a large part of the population begins to have low-birth-weight babies, then I might believe that teflon causes low birth weight, otherwise, I think they are grasping for straws on this one. Considering all the women I know who have had normal weight (or above!) babies, I cannot buy this theory.
I wondered about the birth weight of my children as my first was 8' 7oz then they decreased from there. I figured that I was actually eating healthier and eating less processed chicken, thus decrease in growth hormones. Having heavy babies doesn't necessarily mean they are free from toxins. Toxins actually build up in the fat layers.
Trouble is, it is so hard to buy pans that aren't teflon coated. They are everywhere. In biscuit trays you have the choice of aluminium or teflon. Stainless steel is almost impossible to find. (In Australia anyway)
Read Dr. Weston Price's book nutritional and physical degeneration if you want some scientific proof. Did any of your kids ever have cavities? If they did it is near certain that it would not have happened 10,000 years ago. If they have, then they are not physically optimal. Health in todays society and real health are two different things. But you can go on being a manipulated, ignorant consumer like the rest of America if you so choose. Here's what you really need to understand: kids having type II diabetes is not healthy or normal, the rapid increases in cancer is not healthy or normal, the rapid increase in ADD is not healthy or normal. Go look outside if you want to see a fat American who is going to die way younger than they would have if they listened to what Dr. Mercola is teaching. Or continue to have your head in the sand. I mean really, are you really questioning the rate of America's declining health? Wow!
Have you seen the prices of enamel cookware? Seems everything that is healthy is VERY expensive and getting more so. Our society makes it more and more difficult to be healthy. Same with the food industry in general.....the healthy foods are more expensive. Silly.
The big corporations pay off congress to pass legislation that allows the companies to do what they like regarding not testing their products and chemicals in what we eat and wear and live with.
We are paying now for that, and in the future generations for all this cancer and unhealthy lives.
But the big shots will be quite rich.....and remain so.
I agree with the dangers of Teflon! I watched HSN the other day, and there is a new breed of non-stick very light-weight pans on the market now...they are coated with enamel! NO chemical crap, and can be used at high heat...and I thought the price reasonable...you can see them on their site, or watch it on t.v. for special offers...they have a starter set for a very reasonable price on the show.
Some callers said they loved them, and some had physical problem with heavy pans, and equally loved the new pans. I intend to get a set, but since I cook in stainless steel and cast iron anyway for the most part, I will start witht he smaller set offered.
You can go online and type in hsn.com and choose the cookware section...they are on that as 'Green' cookware...
I switched to the old corning ware white glass pans. Lots of them for sell at Ebay, usually at a good price. I love how they cook, heat, & clean up.