Non-stick Cookware safety from Rachel Milanez
Is it safe to cook with non-stick cookware?
The material used in non-stick cookware is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a substance most of us know as Teflon or Silverstone. When heated for long periods at high temperatures, these non-stick coatings degrade, releasing chemicals that can kill birds and could have harmful effects on people and the environment.
Current research findings disagree over the temperature at which the materials in non-stick coatings degrade and become potentially toxic. Some suggest that normal pre-heating can create a temperature that is high enough to release chemicals such as trifluoroacetic acid (TF), which can be toxic to plants and takes decades to degrade. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are linked to ozone depletion, and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a carcinogen that never breaks down in the environment and has been shown to be toxic to rats and monkeys, may also be emitted in small amounts.
Manufacturers of non-stick products, however, assure consumers that normal cooking conditions will not result in the extreme temperatures that produce harmful fumes. The FDA also argues that particles that may chip off of non-stick cookware with hard use will pass unchanged through your body and pose no health hazard.
While your pan may not become hot enough to affect the coating during day-to-day cooking, it is a good idea to safeguard against releasing any harmful substances. Use plastic utensils and soft cleaning pads on your cookware to avoid chipping off particles that can get into your food or into the air. Never preheat an empty pan for longer than a minute.
If you would rather avoid the possible hazards of using non-stick cookware (and the hazards of producing it), consider switching to stainless steel or cast iron cookware. Cast iron is an old favorite. It lasts much longer (so long that you can pass cast iron pans to your grandchildren), can safely withstand high temperature, and may be a source of nutritional iron. Stainless steel will not tarnish or corrode and is resistant to wear.
non stick cookware information posted by : Blueshoots.com
