Listen to the podcast: Teflon® and your non-stick cooking utensils
Written by: Amy Simonne
Reviewed by: Suzanna Smith and Donna Davis
When I heard in the news about Teflon® recently, I was ready to get rid of all my non-stick cookware in my kitchen at home to protect my family, but my logical side decided to examine the issue further. Because of its non-reactive nature and other desirable properties, Teflon® has found its way into production processes and many uses in consumer products such as non-stick cookware, lubricants, paints, cosmetics, fire-fighting foams and space suits.
Unfortunately, researchers have recently discovered that overheated non-stick coatings on household frying pans can release a toxic gas that can be lethal to birds. In recent years, a body of literature has also indicated that a form of this polymer or PFOA has been linked to cancer and birth defects in animals and is in the blood of 95% of Americans including pregnant women. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not yet determined whether PFOA poses an unreasonable risk to the public, and does not believe there is any reason for consumers to stop using any consumer or industrial products that contain PFOA. Nevertheless, the EPA has an agreement with the industry to fade out 95% of PFOA from manufacturing emission and in consumer products 2010 and to eliminate the chemical all together by 2015. Do I need to get rid of all my non-stick pans at home now? Maybe not, but I will be sure not to overheat those utensils and use the product with care.
Resources
EPA Perfluorooctanoic Acid Human Health Risk Assessment Review Panel
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