Teflon and Pregnancy
June 11, 2008
ARE YOU CURIOUS AS TO HOW TEFLON MAY AFFECT YOUR PREGNANCY? ARE YOU LOOKING FOR HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO TEFLON? Read more here…
When it comes to pots, pans, food storage, utensils and dinnerware, like other household items there are hidden dangers. Among them as one of the biggest concerns is Teflon.
TEFLON:
Who would have thought that non-stick pans could be harmful?
Really no one, until studies started showing that when Teflon breaks down it releases toxins called PFOA’s which are likely carcinogens. According to the EWG, PFOA’s are persistent and continue to accumulate, which makes it harder to detoxify them from the body than other chemicals.
The other chemical of concern in Teflon is PFOS which has more or less the same concerns as PFOA’s.
What is scary about Teflon, is that according to the EPA, PFOA’s (the scary chemical found in Teflon) is in the body of (most likely) every human on earth, and animals for that matter, and they really don’t know how it got there.
PFOA’s in Animal Studies (Lab Rats and Monkeys) have been associated with:
* Liver damage
* Cancer
* Growth defects
* Immune system damage
* Death in animal studies
Technically it is not the Teflon itself that is unsafe, but when it breaks down and becomes unstable. However these PFOA’s are also found in:
* Scotchguard (Often used on furniture to make it stain resistant)
* Gortex
* Certain types of Dental floss
During pregnancy and early childhood (before the age of 5) babies and children are much more vulnerable to the effects of chemicals. Avoiding Teflon (and other PFOA containing items) is advantageous. So if you have an old pan with the Teflon peeling off, throw it out. Better yet, lower your overall exposure and stick to an All-Clad stainless steel type of product or cast iron product. See below for more information.
SAFER OPTIONS
For more information on safer options, visit our article on Safe Cookware of Food Storage by clicking HERE to find options that PFOA, BPA, and PVC FREE.
You can SHOP DIRECTLY on our site and view our Safe Cookware by clicking HERE
Shop our selection of Safe Food Storage items by clicking HERE
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