Something that everyone seems to have in common is exposure to Teflon. Whether you realize it or not, if you live on Earth, recent studies show that you have a >95% chance of having Teflon chemicals in your blood stream. This has puzzled scientists, and angered consumers. How is it possible that a product that is used on almost every cooking utensil is allowed to continue use without any watchdog group raising concerns?
Dupont, the company that created and owns the patent on Teflon, claims their coating is fine on cookware up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit. However, most electric stovetops heat to well above 725 degrees, and the pans reach those temperatures almost as quickly as the burners. This results in a chemical breakdown of the Teflon that results in the release of at least five gas toxins including one called MFA that is lethal to humans when concentrated in a closed space. Another breakdown of Teflon occurs at 1000 degrees (reached in stovetop drip pans) releases a chemical called PFIB, which is a chemical nerve gas agent.
Thus far, the FDA has not checked into the viability of non-stick cookware causing cancer. However, the EPA has listed an agent in Teflon's manufacturing process as a likely carcinogen, which means at least one species of test subjects has shown cancer development when exposed to Teflon's PFOA agent.
Further studies have shown that Teflon takes as long as 20 years to rid itself of most of the chemical. As one of the most persistent synthetic chemicals, its half-life is thousands of years. This means that the chemicals that form Teflon will be on this planet for millions of years before it reaches an age where it can decompose.
While Dupont has not corroborated the idea that Teflon causes cancer or other health hazards, it did recently settle allegations by the EPA on Teflon with a $17 million fine, the largest civil penalty enforced and reached under any federal environmental law. In this case, Teflon chemicals were exposed to many workers and was even found passed by one pregnant woman to her fetus suggesting that the Teflon health issues we encounter will only be starting and may take several years to truly be revealed.
Before that, a class-action lawsuit filed by Ohio and West Virginia residents alleged that Dupont purposely misled the public consumers on the hazards of PFOA, PFIB and other chemical breakdowns of Teflon and Teflon production.
While the EPA continues to assess risk for PFOA and other chemicals from Teflon, it has released a preview, which concludes a high likelihood of carcinogenic risks in humans.
You should be aware of the risks involved and protect yourself accordingly. Avoid being in closed spaces when cooking with Teflon; instead use your oven fan and perhaps open a window for better ventilation. When cooking with a Teflon coated pan, be sure not to cook on high-heat, which could cause the chemical breakdowns in the cookware. Also, be on the watch for symptoms of Teflon toxicity, characterized by flu-like symptoms but no trace of a virus when you visit the doctor. Often called Teflon-flu, these early warning signs are crucial to getting help. If you feel you have been exposed to harmful amounts of Teflon, you should contact a lawyer who specializes in industrial toxin and environmental cases and discuss your options.