| For over 40 years scientists have known that | | | | Human victims have complained of flu-like |
| the fumes from hot non-stick surfaces can | | | | symptoms, some leading to respiratory |
| kill birds such as canaries. So just how | | | | complications, after using non-stick |
| dangerous are they to you? | | | | cookware. Some reactions have been reported |
| | | | as "severe"". |
| Several studies have been conducted into | | | | |
| health concerns surrounding Teflon, the | | | | At least one report suggests that the fumes |
| coating invented and patented by DuPont. The | | | | may be cancer inducing after prolonged |
| results have been disturbing, if somewhat | | | | exposure, although none suggest that Teflon |
| inconclusive. | | | | itself is harmful if swallowed. |
| | | | |
| While the lethal effect on birds is well | | | | If the fumes are harmful to humans, then |
| documented and not in dispute, much of the | | | | there is much more to consider than just |
| other evidence tends to be anecdotal at best. | | | | kitchen items. Some brands of light bulb, |
| And some of it is downright confusing. | | | | portable heaters and even Gore Tex clothing |
| | | | are all produced using PFOA, the same |
| For example, the chemical perfluorooctanoic | | | | reactive agent used in the case of Teflon. |
| acid (PFOA) is usually cited as the villain | | | | |
| of the piece and the root cause of the | | | | Not surprisingly, DuPont denies there is any |
| illnesses that have allegedly appeared in | | | | problem; but this hasn't prevented the |
| some users. However DuPont claims Teflon | | | | company from paying out millions of dollars |
| doesn't contain this chemical, although it is | | | | in compensation, not only to their employees |
| used in the manufacturing process. | | | | but to 50,000 people living in the vicinity |
| | | | of the Parkersburg factory. You have to ask |
| Whatever the truth of that may be, it's | | | | yourself "why?". |
| certainly accurate to say that there have | | | | |
| been a number of health issues emerging in | | | | Complaints have included accusations of water |
| the community immediately adjacent to the | | | | pollution, high infant mortality rates and a |
| DuPont factory in Parkersburg, West Virginia; | | | | greater than normal incidence of cancer among |
| more about that later. | | | | the local population. DuPont has never |
| | | | admitted liability in any of these cases. |
| There also seems to be some disagreement | | | | |
| among authorities as to the temperatures at | | | | While the jury still seems to be out on the |
| which the bird-lethal fumes are given off. | | | | safety or otherwise of Teflon in the home, |
| These are quoted as ranging from 285°F to | | | | even DuPont's own experts advise caution when |
| 475° and more. | | | | using non-stick items, particularly with |
| | | | regard to high cooking temperatures. |
| Since both these figures are well within the | | | | |
| smoke points of edible oils such as avocado | | | | And this is something you can rely on: when |
| and safflower, keeping your budgie in or near | | | | Teflon and similar coatings are heated to a |
| the kitchen is definitely not good for his | | | | certain point, fumes are given off. These |
| health. | | | | fumes will kill pet birds that inhale them. |
| | | | It's therefore reasonable to suppose that |
| But what about your health? | | | | other forms of life may also be at risk. |
| | | | |