Cancer Causing Non-Stick Pans and Dead Canaries.

Photo by matticgn.

The ease of sliding a fried egg (runny yolk right!) out of a small non stick pan early in the morning while you’re still half asleep is a convenience that is not going to be easy to give up, but here’s why you have to throw them out.

The slick surfaces of these pans contain a chemical called perflurooctanoic acid, or PFOA.  In 2006  The United States EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) ordered all manufactures of PFOA’s to reduce production by  95% by 2010, and completely eliminate them by 2015.  So at this point it basically gives the consumer an additional one years dose of a chemical known to cause cancer, reproductive problems and flu like symptoms including headaches and runny noses.  There is no reason to continue your exposure to it.  The chemical will soon have the notorious honor of being placed in the same category as mercury and lead as far as its impact on the human body.

If you heat a non-stick pan and you have a pet bird nearby they will drop dead.  Out cold in a few minutes from the toxic fumes.  Amazing that people continue to argue that birds have sensitive respiratory tracts as the reason and that it has nothing to do with the fumes from the chemical being harmful to humans.  Isn’t that why they used canaries in old 1900’s mine shafts to test for gas at a pre-lethal human threshold and as an early warning system?  Ridiculous argument.  This argument is nothing new however, the battle between the chemical manufactures such as Dupont and environmental activists has been going on for decades with no resolution until 2006. Uma Chowdhry, Dupont’s vice president of research and development, told ABC’s 20/20, “You get some fumes, yes, and you get a flu-like symptom, which is reversible.”  Well, at least they are now starting to admit to some of the allegations – but its far too late.

Remember it’s never too late to go back basics.  Besides, I seriously doubt the next generation of chemical alternatives for non-stick pans come 2010-2015 will be without its hidden side effects. I don’t recommend ever cooking with aluminium for several other reasons (will post something on this later).  The following will never go out of style, and your food will actually cook better and caramelize/brown appropriately in these pans;

• Stainless steel – Mine still somehow stains
• Cast Iron – This is the original non stick pan when seasoned correctly (Use lard)
• Ceramic – Just ceramic.

P.S. An often overlooked, hidden source of this chemical are microwave popcorn bags.  Due to the heat the same danger of chemical off gassing is present.

Dr. Nishant Rao is a co-founder of WellWire.com. He is a well-traveled naturopathic doctor and new father, practicing an integrative approach to create wellness in and around Los Angeles. Become a patient or discover his practice.