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