BBC: TEFLON PAN FUMES KILL PET BIRDS

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BBC: TEFLON PANS KILLS PET BIRDS

 

Posted By: IZAKOVIC <Send E-Mail>

Tuesday, 17 February 2004, 1:08 p.m.

 

AS THEY ARE HEAVIER, FOR HUMANS IT SHALL TAKE SOMEWHAT LONGER

 

Frying pan fumes 'kill canaries'

 

By Alex Kirby BBC News Online environment correspondent

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3441255.stm

 

Fumes given off by cancer-causing chemicals used to make non-stick frying

pans are killing hundreds of pet birds every year, environmentalists say.

The Worldwide Fund for Nature says it is hearing reports that many US caged

birds are being killed by the fumes.

It says the chemicals, perfluorinated compounds, are also contaminating both

people and wildlife with grave effects.

The chemicals industry says it doubts that birds exposed to ordinary levels

of the compounds could die from them.

Guilty till proved harmless.

In a report, Causes For Concern: Chemicals and Wildlife, WWF says the

compounds, also used in some textiles and food packaging, are among " the

most prominent new toxic hazards " .

It says: " Scientists have found perfluorinated compounds, classified as

cancer-causing chemicals by the US Environmental Protection Agency, in

dolphins, whales and cormorants in the Mediterranean; seals and sea eagles

in the Baltic; and polar bears. "

Elizabeth Salter-Green, head of WWF's toxics programme, said: " Years ago,

coal miners took canaries with them down the pits to detect lethal gases.

" Now, canaries are dying in our kitchens, but no action is being taken about

the suspect chemicals.

" The global production of chemicals is increasing, and at the same time we

have warning signals that a variety of troubling threats to wildlife and

human health are becoming more prevalent.

" It is reckless to suggest there is no link between the two and give

chemicals the benefit of the doubt. "

WWF says while the harmful effects of chemicals like DDT and polychlorinated

biphenyls have been documented, recent studies of other chemicals on sale

today show the dangers to people and wildlife.

It says: " As well as perfluorinated compounds other harmful man-made

chemicals still in use today include phthalates, phenolic compounds - such

as bisphenol A - and brominated flame retardants (BFRs).

" Phthalates can be found in plastics (including PVC), phenolic compounds in

food cans, plastic bottles and computer casings, and BFRs in fabrics and

TVs.

Brussels' approach defended

" These toxic compounds, which contaminate a wide range of animals, can cause

severe health disorders such as cancer, damage to the immune system,

behavioural problems, hormone disruption, or even feminisation. "

WWF says the European Union's planned legislation, Reach (Registration,

Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) does not go far

enough.

It says Reach " falls short of ensuring that hazardous chemicals are replaced

with safer alternatives " .

Judith Hackitt, director-general of the UK's Chemical Industries

Association, told BBC News Online: " It sounds highly unlikely to me that

birds exposed to perfluorinated compounds in normal household conditions

would be killed.

" With them and the other chemicals WWF is concerned about, the industry is

spending a lot on investigating them.

" And with Reach, it's a big assumption to say replacement won't happen - I

think it will. "

 

Posted by:

 

IZAKOVIC

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