Teflon Chemicals are a Threat to Health

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http://www.mercola.com/2004/aug/25/teflon_chemicals.htm

 

Teflon Chemicals are a Threat to Health

 

 

Dupont recently defended its position about partially

complying with federal reporting guidelines on the

health risks of a key ingredient found in Teflon.

 

The chemical giant has been criticized on many sides

for its decision not to release all the information it

compiled on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a soap-like

ingredient used in making non-stick surfaces and

materials. As a result, EPA has sought fines up to

$300 million, arguing the company failed to inform the

government and public about PFOA. The concerns:

 

* DuPont concealed its own 1981 research showing

traces of the chemical in a pregnant worker’s unborn

child

* Ten years later, the company failed to report

evidence that the chemical had contaminated the water

supply of 12,000 people

 

The son of a DuPont factory worker who was born with

only one nostril and other facial defects (he has had

30 operations) is one of eight families suing the

company over PFOA. Although the man recently married,

he and his spouse have opted not to have children in

case they inherit his condition.

 

Two DuPont experts argued an internal document about

elevated PFOA levels in childbearing workers and their

infants wasn’t a toxicology report and didn’t meet the

risk threshold that would’ve required contacting EPA.

In fact, one attorney claimed PFOA and other chemicals

were expected to pass through the placenta.

 

The company also believes EPA is unfair to apply

DuPont’s internal guidelines to reporting requirements

of higher PFOA levels in local drinking water when the

government found three years ago levels could be

raised 150 times without posing a health risk.

However, a senior scientist at the Environmental

Working Group pointed out that PFOA, like other

fluorochemicals, is in people everywhere, never breaks

down in the environment and is toxic at or near levels

found in humans.

 

Another health issue, “Teflon flu” causes aches and

pains when non-stick pans are overheated, although a

DuPont spokesperson said the physical problems are

temporary and pass quickly. Yet birds, particularly

small ones like finches and cockatiels, can die in

short order from those kitchen fumes.

 

A British environmental minister has said his country

will eventually ban one chemical associated with PFOA,

perfluorooctane sulphonate, along with other European

countries and in line with the United States. One

expert on perfluorinated polymers noted the PFOA in

Teflon to be potentially as harmful as perfluorooctane

sulphonate, pointing out that PFOA has been recognized

as a rat carcinogen for decades.

 

Washington Post August 13, 2004

 

Telegraph August 8, 2004

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

I find it absolutely amazing that companies can

develop chemicals that essentially persist forever in

our environment and not be held to a higher level of

accountability to the chemicals’ effects on our

health.

 

One should certainly not heat Teflon to high

temperatures, and it seems wise to potentially avoid

this material all together. Similarly, I recommend

avoiding aluminum cookware because of the potential

aluminum toxicity that has been linked to Alzheimer’s

disease. Although aluminum pots are probably less

problematic than other sources of aluminum like

drinking water and antiperspirants, I personally would

not use aluminum cookware.

 

After deciding on a safe material to cook in--think

stainless steel, ceramic or porcelain--it’s also

important to use a stable oil like coconut oil

(vegetable oils are easily damaged by the heat) and

not overcook your food.