Source: ABC News
So much for my previous post: LA Times: California launches broad effort to control hazardous chemicals
Meanwhile…
“On the same day Governor Schwarzenegger touted himself as the leader of a comprehensive chemical reform program, he vetoed a bill that would have made California the first state to ban toxic chemicals known as PFCs – a family of compounds including Teflon – from food packaging.” California Progress Report
Teflon is commonly used on cookware as a non-stick coating. Its been known for over twenty years that Teflon cookware used in the home is highly fatal to birds to the point that its been listed as the leading cause of death for pet birds. Death to the birds can happen under very normal domestic cooking conditions, even when the cooking is done in another part of the home.
I remember about fifteen years ago, me and my mother went shopping for a bird and the Avian Veterinarian adamantly told us not to use any Teflon coated products in the house if we decided to purchase one of the birds. After that, my mother got rid of everything Teflon in the house stating that “if it can kill birds, what is it doing to us?”
In terms of what its doing to us, Teflon, which is a known carcinogen, has been found in the blood of many Americans. Teflon is not only used in pots and pans, but also popcorn bags and other convenience, microwaveable food containers.
“PFOA seems to be in the blood of most Americans, as found in studies that examined blood from American blood banks, and is likely to be in the blood of most of the rest of us as well. PFOA enters into our bodies very easily through the cooked food when the non-stick pan is either scratched, or when it is heated, (which is what we do with pans and popcorn bags) Popcorn bags seem to cause higher exposures to PFOA compared to non-stick cookware, as a chemical in the packaging migrates into the oil which coats the popcorn which we then eat, and the chemical then degrades into PFOA in our bodies. Heated Teflon also releases toxic fumes which we inhale.” Teflon is hazardous to our health – Trusted MD
Currently, the research isnt very clear as to what it does to the human body, but the fact that its a carcinogen and fatal to birds is reason enough to avoid it in our homes.
Canaries in the Kitchen: Teflon Toxicosis: Teflon kills birds
Wow. this is an amazing blog. I just found out about you thru Momgrind (top commentators
).
I just started a new blog: Good Food and Bad Food, and thought – why bother? who will read it? well, your blog just proves to me how important it is to have such blogs, even if only 10 or 15 poeple will read, it si worth the efoort. I’m adding you to my blogroll. and i’ll keep reading here.
Nurit
@Nurit – Thank you so much.
And as to who will read your blog? I will!
Holy cow! I hadn’t heard about how toxic Teflon was to birds. At this point, I’m so relieved we invested in stainless steel cookware. A few less minutes of scrubbing isn’t worth that kind of risk.
@Sara Isnt that amazing? We have mostly cast iron in our house. I havent tried stainless steel yet.
I’m using stainless steel too, but in the past I did use Teflon.
We still have Teflon cookware. Should I stop using it immediately!?!
@Stacey – I would or at least gradually phase it out one pot, pan and cookie sheet at a time. I found all of my cast iron (except the Le Creuset) at yard sales for around $1 each. Thrift stores is a good option too.
And does anyone know why the governor vetoed the bill?
And I love cast iron. You can find it at thrift stores and you get a workout lifting it
@Kim You know, I dont know! I tried to do a search, but didnt find anything yet.
The only downside to cast iron is when you have to move! Lifting it for day-to-day cooking is no picnic either.
Great post. I think it’s messed up how there are all of these chemicals and toxins and we just keep supporting them chemical companies.
So why did the governor veto the bill?
Thanks for the tip on garage sale shopping. I’ll start looking and start removing my unhealthy pots and pans.
Mmm Teflon on my food…I agree that it is pretty messed up how many chemicals there are in our food and products. Only problem is it seems like companies don’t really care to change unless they have to.
Odd that Ahnold would veto this bill.
All of us have tons and tons of chemicals in our bodies that simply did not exist a generation or two ago. At this point, we might as well build up immunities to these chemicals since, as Justin points out, they’re unlikely to go away anytime soon.
It’s one reason why I’m a big, big proponent of dropping income taxes and instead taxing people and companies for their negative actions, such as pollution, drug use, traffic, and frivolous over-consumption.
It’s easy to blame companies but they just make what we buy. We need to get rid of corporate person hood (which gives companies the same rights as living human beings) and start punishing companies for negative externalities via higher taxes.
wow! great post. i just found you on an etsy seller’s blog.
what do you recommend in cookware? cast iron, stainless?
oh, and do drop by my blog sometime to say hello!
~Amber
http://cloud9designstudio.etsy.com
http://cloud9design.wordpress.com
@Amber – Thank you! I usually go with cast iron and stainless. I got all of my cast iron at thrift stores and yard sales. Ill definitely check out your blog and website!
@Everyone: Google “toxic cookware” and be afraid.