Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Pots and Pans - Do We Need to Worry?
Frequent reports on potentially dangerous pots and pans have us wondering: what's cooking with cookware?
Recent studies have allayed some fears (most metal cookware doesn't seep into food), but the consensus on nonstick pans is not as clear.
Nonstick pan coating (Teflon) contains perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) that's considered a "likely carcinogen" by the EPA's Scientific Advisory Board. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, studies suggest PFOA can cause cancer in animals and might be hazardous to humans.
While EPA officials give Teflon the official ok for cooking, these precautions will reduce your risk:
-Stay in a ventilated area when using nonstick cookware.
-Don't let pots and pans get too hot -- very high temperatures can break down the coating, releasing fumes that can cause flu-like symptoms (and possibly kill house pets like birds). For this reason, never leave dry or empty cookware on heat.
-Don't use pans that have started flaking, which can cause uneven heating and higher emissions. -Avoid using abrasive cleaners and metal sponges or utensils.
Recent studies have allayed some fears (most metal cookware doesn't seep into food), but the consensus on nonstick pans is not as clear.
Nonstick pan coating (Teflon) contains perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) that's considered a "likely carcinogen" by the EPA's Scientific Advisory Board. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, studies suggest PFOA can cause cancer in animals and might be hazardous to humans.
While EPA officials give Teflon the official ok for cooking, these precautions will reduce your risk:
-Stay in a ventilated area when using nonstick cookware.
-Don't let pots and pans get too hot -- very high temperatures can break down the coating, releasing fumes that can cause flu-like symptoms (and possibly kill house pets like birds). For this reason, never leave dry or empty cookware on heat.
-Don't use pans that have started flaking, which can cause uneven heating and higher emissions. -Avoid using abrasive cleaners and metal sponges or utensils.
Labels: carcinogen, healthy cooking, living holistically, pans, pots, Teflon
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