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