March 24, 2010

by Kathleen Barnes

If you haven’t yet relegated your nonstick cookware to the dustbin, you now have even more reasons to do so now.

Even though Teflon™ (technical name: PTFE or polytetrafluoroethylene polymer) has been on the market for more than 50 years, numerous studies show that it can offgas toxic chemicals at high heats. The Environmental Protection Agency says it is “likely” that Teflon™ causes cancer.

Thyroid risk

Now a recent study implicates Teflon™ in thyroid disease. A British study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives (affiliated with the National Institutes of Health) shows that people with high levels of perfluorooctanic acid (PFOA), a compound found in Teflon™, are more likely to develop thyroid malfunction as well as to have various types of cancers.

Teflon™ is used in cookware, but also found in stain resistant carpet and fabric coatings.

Dupont, the manufacturer of Teflon™, says the non-stick coating is safe and adds that it has had no adverse health effects in humans. It adds that there is conflicting evidence on the thyroid issue.

Trace amounts of PFOA have shown up in blood samples taken from people across the country. When rats and mice were exposed to PFOA in far greater amounts, they developed brain tumors.

Now, an EPA advisory panel reports, “PFOA is a likely carcinogen in humans.”

Carcinogenic fumes

In terms of toxic fumes, Dupont says its cookware doesn’t decompose, possibly releasing toxic gases, until the pan reaches 680 degree Farenheit.

However, those high heats are easy to achieve. Studies show that an empty pan left on a burner for as little as three minutes can reach temperatures of 700 degrees.

PTFE fumes certainly effect birds and other small animals and there is evidence they effect humans. Studies report flu-like symptoms experienced by people who are near fumes from nonstick pans. The Environmental Protection Agency has even given the syndrome a name: polymer fume fever.

Other studies show that even higher temperatures cause the release of several other types of toxic gases.

All cookware with nonstick coatings can have the same problems, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). More information on the Teflon™ studies is available from the EWG.

Coming soon: How to choose safe cookware.

March 23, 2010

By Kathleen Barnes

If you’ve ever thought that your voice isn’t heard, it’s just not true. I am a strong proponent of letting my elected officials know what I think. I do so often and as politely as possible.

Now I can salute Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for withdrawing support for his own legislation – a bill that would severely curtail Americans’ ability to choose the vitamin supplements we want to take. It’s rare to hear a politician admitting an error and it’s refreshing.

The power of grass roots pressure

On Feb. 4, McCain introduced the Dietary Supplement Safety Act, legislation that would give the pharmaceutical industry-controlled and funded corrupt Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority over vitamin supplements. After a massive grass roots campaign against the measure, McCain withdrew his support for the bill in early March.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) also played a pivotal role in persuading McCain that increased government regulation of dietary supplements is misguided. Sen. Hatch was a major sponsor of the supplement-industry friendly 1994 DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act) and received major campaign contributions from the supplement industry.

McCain’s apparent intention was to regulate the use of steroids by professional athletes with his bill, but he seemed to be unaware that the bill had more far-reaching ramifications.

The bill would have made most dietary supplements available by prescription only.

I’m very aware that the supplement industry occasionally runs riot and that unquestionably there are unscrupulous supplement manufacturers.

Who is making money here?

At the same time, when I look at an issue like the McCain bill, I like to look at the bottom line: Who will benefit the most from the legislation?

The answer is obvious: The pharmaceutical industry.

There is no end to the greed of this industry, which already makes billions on drugs, some of which have been proven unsafe. Now the industry gets a windfall from the 32 million more people who will have health insurance and become consumers of pharmaceuticals. But still, they want a big piece of the action from the millions of Americans who choose preventive care and natural treatment through dietary supplements. This is one if the few times the smaller supplement manufacturers who donate to Sen. Hatch’s campaigns have come out on the upside.

However, I’ve never known the pharmaceutical industry to stay down for long. We all need to stay on the lookout for another bill or an end run around this one.

Did anyone else notice that drug company and hospital stock soared the day after the health care reform bill was passed?