Stickiness of non-stick
Do you use non-stick cookware to reduce the amount of oil or fat needed during cooking? Using non-stick cookware could be detrimental to your health as you may be ingesting minute amounts of perfluorooctanic acid (PFOA).
Described by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a ‘likely human carcinogen’, PFOA is an indestructible synthetic chemical that has been found in ninety-five percent of those tested. The umbilical cords of new-born babies and human breast milk have also been shown to contain PFOA.
Scientific studies on rats found that PFOA causes cancer, targets the liver, changes organ size and weight of offspring, causes pituitary damage in female offspring, and increases the death rates of offspring born to mothers treated with PFOA.
Japanese research found that PFOA alters the expression of over five hundred genes, while Chinese studies indicate that PFOA has genetoxic effect on human liver cells. The PFOA compound has also been linked to an increased risk of leukaemia in workers who are involved in manufacturing processes using PFOA. Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels have also been noted in these workers.
Humans can’t easily eliminate PFOA and it is therefore bioaccumulative. PFOA, found in waterways all over the world, is also persistent in the environment. The bioaccumulation and persistance has long-term implications for humans and the environment.
Numerous products use PFOA in the manufacturing process or are made from telomers, which break down into PFOA. Aside from non-stick cookware, food packaging like pizza boxes and popcorn cartons, stain-resistant clothing and carpeting, as well as fire retardants for clothing, furniture and buildings use PFOA. It is also used in many personal care products and engineering technology such as telecommunications, electronics, automobiles, aircraft and shipping.
The Environmental Working Group has long been warning of the potential dangers associated PFOA. However, manufacturers have played down potential side effects of PFOA denying that their manufacturing processes and products are potentially hazardous.
DuPont claims that while PFOA is used in manufacturing processes, it is not present in their finished products. However, independent studies have shown that toxic gases are released when non-stick cookware is overheated. These gases are deadly to birds and can cause polymer fume fever in humans. Polymer fume fever causes flu-like symptoms, which last more that a week but has no known, long-term side effects.
While DuPont claims that temperatures of over 260 degrees Celsius are needed before Teflon begins breaking down, experiments have shown that ‘hotspots’ can occur. The non-stick surface begins to breakdown in these hotspots, releasing minute amounts of PFOA. Some scientists also believe that non-stick coatings decompose with age, releasing PFOA.
A related chemical, perflurooctanyl sulfonate (PFOS), used as a stain-resistor for carpets, has already been banned due known health and environmental dangers.
Clothing such as school uniforms, are treated with stain-resistant chemicals, but the stain-resistant properties don’t last for ever. DuPont doesn’t guarantee that stain-resistant treatments for clothing and furnishings do not give off PFOA, but claims that miniscule amounts pose no health risks.
While the presence of PFOA currently in our systems and the environment are minuscule, the possible long-term problems are concerning. What will the levels of PFOA in the environment be like in fifty years time and what impact will it have on animals? If humans are born with PFOA in their systems and it cannot easily eliminated, how much PFOA will be in their systems when they’re thirty? Will future generations be born with higher concentrations of PFOA in their systems?
Manufacturers argue that there is currently no alternative to using PFOA in the manufacturing products like non-stick cookware and fire-retardants. No doubt, PFOA is used for many worthwhile products like fire retardants used for buildings and clothing for emergency personal. PFOA improves the safety and performance of automobiles, aircraft, shipping, and reduces environmental pollution, according to the Society of Plastic Industry. But other products, such as non-stick cookware and stain-resistant clothing are simply convenient.
The long-term effects of PFOA to humans and the environment are unknown but evidence indicates that more research is required and a suitable alternative found. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is not withdrawing products that use PFOA but has invited companies such as DuPont, to participate in a ‘global stewardship program’. The aim of the program is to reduce PFOA emissions by 2010 with total emissions elimination by 2015.
For those concerned with the effects of PFOA on their health and the environment, avoiding products manufactured using PFOA is the best option. Swap non-stick cookware for stainless steel or cast iron cookware and avoid stain-resistant clothing, furnishings and carpets. Remove take-away foods from their original cartons to reheat and don’t use personal care products listing PFOA or its relatives on the label.
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