I recently cleaned out my inbox and found a press release from a PR company asking me to promote their non-stick cookware and healthy cooking campaign. While I will not be doing so, the email inspired this post.
Here is why I do not own non-stick cookware and bakeware…
The chemical used to manufacture non-stick cookware PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) is considered a likely human carcinogen. It is found in the tissues of polar bears that have never eaten a fried egg or crepe made in a non-stick pan. Alarmingly, 95% of adults have the chemical in their bodies and according to John Hopkins University, 100% of umbilical cords of newborns. Once a molecule is in your body, it will remain for life (bioaccumulation).
For decades, veterinarians know that Teflon off-gases are a high cause of death among pet birds. Just like canaries in a coal mine, birds are sensitive to their environment and act as early warning detection systems to humans.
Health Canada has concerns too. They advise that “non-stick coatings are a risk if they are heated to temperatures greater than 350 degrees Celsius or 650 degrees Fahrenheit.” They also ban imports of new versions of chemicals from this family but allow the old version. Another red flag is that Health Canada includes this on their website…
“PFOA was identified as a potential concern for the environment and human health due to its persistent nature, its widespread occurrence in the environment, its presence in the Canadian Arctic due to long range transport, and international interest in emerging science indicating a potential concern for the environment and human health from PFOA, its salts and its precursors.”
There is some positive news when it comes to non-stick pans. PFOA is not manufactured in Canada. The largest manufacturers of the chemical PFOA agreed to a request by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to phase out its use by 95% by 2010.
Eliminating your use of a non-stick fry pan or bakeware will not stop your exposure entirely. PFOA can be found in popcorn bags, candy and fast food packaging (like burger wrappers) and more. Some corporations like Kraft, McDonalds, Kellogg’s, Burger King and Frito-Lay say they do not use or have eliminated the use of PFOA-coated products.
So, what to do with your old non-stick pans? Unfortunately, I do not have a good answer. Cities and municipalities do not have safe disposal programs for non-stick cookware. Donating them to a second hand shop is not a good alternative either. Perhaps it is best tucked it in a back corner cuboard and forget about it.
Some cookware alternatives include:
- Stainless steel.
- Cast iron skillets. Pre-seasoned ones are available.
- Glass. Inert and non-leaching, glass is a great renewable resource perfect for baking and cooking.
Next time you are staring at the stovetop about to sizzle up something delicious, consider the pan you use. Not-stick is not necessarily healthier for us or the environment.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for this post. I read about the dangers of non-stick coatings all the time on bird sites, but I wish it were common knowledge among the general population. I got rid of most of my non-stick cookware when I got birds. I just put it out on the curb, and birdless neighbours helped themselves. Not ideal, but better than having it in my house, where unaware houseguests might cook with it! The problem goes well beyond cookware – irons, breadmakers, ironing board covers, all kinds of household objects are potentially lethal to birds because of non-stick coatings. When overheated, it causes birds’ tiny sensitive lungs to hemmorhage. They drown in their own blood.
I wrote about this a few months ago when I came across a chapter devoted to non-stick cookware in Slow Death By Rubber Duck. You know what’s scariest? PFOA molecules can take centuries to break down. So even if all sources of it were stopped today, the effects would linger for hundreds of years. Ick.
My partner’s parents are in the process of downsizing their home and gave us an old – but still perfectly functional and healthy – cast iron skillet. It has quickly made friends with our cast-iron dutch oven in the cupboard.
Whaaa? I had (sigh) no idea. Posts like these make me so weary, but so grateful for people like you who get the message out. I love my non-stick pans.
I suppose cast iron is the way to go…
Apparently it’s possible to get someone to come and sandblast the coating off your teflon cookware. Then you can recycle it as just plain metal. Some recycling programs will do the sandblasting themselves, but you should check with your local recycling people.
I’ve had my cast iron cookware forever. You can’t pack it all in one box when you’re moving, but otherwise it’s great.
Reading this article reminds me that I should buy some new pans and baking sheets. Ours can’t be healthy at all considering their age and materials.
P.S. I sent you an email on Monday. Did you get it? I’m worried that your spam filter is sending my messages into the bin.
Zoom – I forgot about irons/ironing boards and other household products. It’s used in so many things…very hard to avoid. Ugh.
Andrea – Hundreds of years??? Scary scary. I love cooking with a cast iron skillet so much that a dutch oven sounds like something I might purchase in the future.
DaniGirl – Sorry to be a downer…I’ll write a happier post next time.
XUP – Sandblasting you say? Hmmm…I will look into that a bit more, thanks.
Pauline – I found your email! Thanks for not thinking I am rude.
Stupid spam filter.
I love this post! It is a topic I covered in my newsletter a while back. We made the switch from non-stick years ago and have never looked back. For those looking for a safer option, we use the Earth Chef brand of cookware and stainless steel. Earth Chef can easily be found here in Ottawa and across Canada at Zellers and the Bay.
Thanks for the great post Laura
I lurve cast iron pans. And if you use enough butter (lol) things don’t stick. My MIL boughtme an Earth Chef pan a few years ago, and they are awesome too. And not as heavy – I have one cast iron pan that I need two hands to pick up – and even then it’s heavy.
Gwen – Thanks
Nice that both you and Denise suggest the Earth Chef brand. I will look into into that brand.
Denise – That’s my only complaint about cast iron, it’s hard to lift! The butter, well that’s just darn tasty. lol
Holy moly, I had no idea. Our non-stick pans are in terrible shape as is, and that’s probably much worse.
I’m off to seek out Earth Chef pans.
The website looks really interesting Lynn. Here is the link http://www.earthchef.ca/
Because there’s so much misinformation out there about the Teflon® brand, I’m not surprised that you are concerned. I’m a representative of DuPont though, and hope you’ll let me share some information with you and your readers, so that everyone can make truly informed decisions.
Because birds have extremely sensitive respiratory systems, bird owners must take precautions to protect them. Cooking fumes, smoke and odors that have little or no effect on people can seriously sicken and even kill birds, often quite quickly. Cooking fumes from any type of unattended or overheated cookware, not just non-stick, can damage a bird’s lungs with alarming speed. This is why bird owners should take steps to protect their pets, such as keeping their birds out of the kitchen, never leaving cookware unattended, never allowing pots and pans to overheat, and making sure that their kitchen is properly ventilated at all times.
In terms of Polymer Fume Fever… Over the past 40 years, there have been only a few reported accounts of polymer fume fever as a result of severely overheating non-stick cookware. It should be noted that butter, fats, and cooking oils will begin to smoke at approximately 400°F (204°C), producing fumes that can irritate eyes, nose, and throat and possibly cause respiratory distress. DuPont non-stick coatings will not begin to deteriorate in appearance or performance until the temperature of the cookware reaches about 500°F
Regulatory agencies, consumer groups and health associations all have taken a close look at the Teflon® brand. This article highlights what they found — the bottom line is that you can use Teflon® non-stick without worry.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/kitchen/cookware-bakeware-cutlery/nonstick-pans-6-07/overview/0607_pans_ov_1.htm
Hi Sara – Thank you for providing DuPont’s perspective. I continue to search for information about the subject and for me; the studies involving PFOA are worrisome. The above post is my humble opinion. I do find Health Canada’s information/policy on PFOA compelling as its role is to take action to keep Canadians safe.
I agree PFOA’s are found in many places in the home and our everyday lives. Pots and pans are just one issue. In addition, I appreciate that DuPont has agreed to phase out PFOA by 2015 or earlier.
ya i think thats what killed my birds we had 12 birds from Indian ring necks , cockatails , blue and golds , server,ect they all died exsept for one blue and gold they all died withen a mater of a couple hours im very devastated.
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