In a continuing review of Teflon's safety, The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Science Advisory Board voted unanimously on
Wednesday, February 15th, to recommend that PFOA be upgraded from the
current "suggestive carcinogen" to a "likely carcinogen." A month ago, DuPont and eight other
companies made a voluntary agreement with the agency to reduce the use of the Teflon family of chemicals by 95 percent
in the next five years, after DuPont agreed to pay a $15 million fine to the EPA for the alleged hiding of
toxicological data on the chemical. Past research has documented that PFOA causes cancer in animals. More than 95
percent of Americans carry C8 in their blood. DuPont
stands by its public statements that there is no evidence suggesting the chemical causes cancer in humans. Should the
public be concerned? After the EPA announcement of the voluntary reduction in the use of POFA, The United Steelworkers Union, USW, called on the agency to create real accountability in its PFOA 2010/15 Stewardship Program, by including regulations for specific and rigorous oversight, rather than continuing to entrust stewardship to the company. USW stated, that while the program recognizes the risks associated with these persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals, as proposed, the voluntary program allows companies like DuPont to conduct business as usual, with no real accountability, and no real consequences if the goals of reductions and eliminations are not met. The USW represents DuPont workers who may have the highest exposure to PFOA.
In 2002, a family looked on in horror as, one by one, all 55 of their beautiful beloved macaw, conure, parrolet and cockatiel pet birds dropped dead. The culprit? An overheated nonstick pan on the stove. In 1975, five cockatiels died within 30 minutes of exposure to the fumes of an overheated nonstick frying pan. In addition, the owner exhibited the symptoms of human polymer fume fever.
Human polymer fume fever, first documented in factory workers back in the 1950's, results in humans exposed to the toxic fumes and minute particles released by polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE, where particles may lodge deeply in the lungs, and can cause flu-like symptoms including chest tightness and mild cough.
PTFE is Teflon.
PTFE does not breaks down, is cumulative, and can be found in the environment, wildlife, and bloodstream of humans. In our daily life, PTFE is everywhere. In anti-wrinkle creams and treatments, auto engine parts, camping equipment and outdoor clothing, carpets and rugs, clothing, computer chips, curling irons, dental floss, electrical insulation, fast food containers, furniture, beds, gardening equipment, hair dryers, house paint, interior and exterior, kitchen utensils, lightbulbs, luggage, medicine containers, microwave popcorn bags, pet bedding, leashes and collars, prosthetic devices and reconstructive surgery, razor blades and shaving foam, solar panel coatings, eyewear with scratch-resistant lenses, stain repellents, surgical instruments, and umbrellas -- to name a few.
PFOA is a component used to manufacture PTFE.
It seems clear, all present day exposure to PTFE and PFOA can not be avoided. However, consumers can choose not to do business with manufacturers who use Teflon in their products. For cookware, there are easy alternatives, stainless steel or cast iron cookware, and glass bakeware; avoiding the purchase of carpets, furniture, bedding and clothing that is treated with Teflon; check cosmetics, lotions, and grooming products for 'fluro' or 'perfluoro' on the label listing the chemicals used to produce the product and be wary of foods in PTFE coated packaging, such as fast food and some prepackaged supermarket foods.
Pet bird deaths and human polymer fume fever are well-documented cases of the tragic results of toxic exposure levels to PFOA and PTFE. As the EPA's wording about the dangers of Teflon get stronger, it will be interesting to see what happens next, as Teflon, and Teflon products, are a multi-million dollar a year business. As advocates for public safety and consumers demand safer products and a safer environment, and huge corporations attempt to protect their bottom line, this issue will remain an important one.
1. WHOA!!!! AND WE ALL THOUGHT THIS WAS A GREAT INVENTION...OMG!!!!
FRANNIE
Posted at 5:14PM on Mar 2nd 2006 by Frannie