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Teflon Chemical May Cause Allergies

TeflonPerfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), used to make stain-resistant clothing and non-stick surfaces such as Teflon, may cause the immune system to overreact to allergens.

Mice given PFOA produced more allergen-specific antibodies, and experienced more constriction of their airways, when exposed to an egg allergen.

Currently, no studies have looked at the effects of PFOA on allergies in humans.

PFOA is now present in the blood of 95 percent of the U.S. population. PFOA has already been identified as a "likely" human carcinogen by an advisory panel to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

 

New Scientist June 21, 2007




Dr. Mercola's Comment:

PFOA, also called C8, is a widely used chemical found in products such as:

  • Stain-resistant fabrics and carpets
  • All-weather clothing
  • Teflon coated cookware
  • Non-stick boxes and wrappers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has already called for a voluntary ban on PFOA because of its probably cancer-causing properties.

Now, researchers at the National Institute of Occupational Safety, looking into allergic reactions, have found this new evidence adding to the risk factors of PFOA -- it appears as though the chemical primes the immune system to overreact to any allergen you're exposed to afterward.

Previous studies have also linked birth defects and infertility. Nearly everyone in the U.S. has PFOA present in their blood stream, although officials have repeatedly stated that they don't understand how it gets there.

From a common-sense standpoint, however, it's fairly easy to conclude that eating food cooked on teflon coated frying pans, and ingesting
popcorn saturated with teflon from the bag coating, might be a way to introduce the chemical into the system.

In animal studies, PFOA caused:

  • Serious changes in organs including the brain, prostate, liver, thymus, and kidneys
  • Death of several rat pups that were exposed to PFOA
  • Changes in the pituitary in female rats, at all doses (the pituitary controls growth, reproduction, and many metabolic functions)
  • Tumors in at least four different organs in animal tests, and PFOA has also been implicated in an increase in prostate cancer in PFOA plant workers

It is actually ok to keep you all your Teflon-coated cookware as long as you don't cook in it because as long as the surface is not heated very little of the fluoride is volatilized. However once you heat it then the fluoride is released into the air and atmosphere where it can also destroy the ozone layer.

So why not consider cooking with enameled cast-iron pots and pans  that are far more inert and provide a great cooking surface.

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Comment on This Article Community Comments (25)
 
 
Posted On Jun 21, 2007
And of course PFOA contains that wonderful enzyme poison; bone, tooth and skin corroder... FLUORIDE (the 'fluoro' bit is a give away).

Strange that those behind PFOA haven't come out and said this compound is good for our dental health because it contains fluoride? 
Could it ever be down to the fact that they're aware that air-borne fluoride is seriously toxic?

Sarine nerve gas contains it.  Coal fumes contain it.  Off-gasing from Teflon coated cookware contains it.

Even if one concedes that what Mr. Rickard says is technically true (he's very clever with his language)... he's not saying that PFOA won't cause OTHER reactions in humans.

Like hardening of arteries, bones or teeth. Or gathering in the pineal gland. Triggering early on-set of puberty. Lowering IQ. Increased rates of Osteosarcoma in young boys. Apathy in populations. Depressed thyroid function. Irritable Bowel Syndrome... all of which have been linked to fluoride.

PFOA (to my fluoride alert radar) is simply another source of fluoride in people's lives. We're better off without it. Give me a wooden or stone floor and natural living-stained fabrics any day - both will have, and continue to develop, character and a sense of Life!

 
Sean Uisce
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 11/2006
Sean Uisce  
Replied

pegwolf
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2007
pegwolf  
 
Posted On Jun 24, 2007
Right on Sean.  I have removed all the cookware in our kitchen that is not steel, or cast iron.  And gone thru our closets to remove all the artificial fibers.  I still wear wool and some cottons , but no more rayon or dacron .  I hope that being very aware of not using artificial things will keep me healthy.


fullofoats
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
fullofoats  
 
Posted On Jul 12, 2007
I'm glad I threw out my Teflon products years ago.  I prefer to use cast iron and limit my exposure to toxins.  When I was buying a ventilation hood for my stove 2 years ago, I found out that many are coated with Teflon.  I thought of all that hot steam rising up to the Teflon, then potentially dripping back into my food or escaping into the air!  Luckily I found a hood without it.

I have heard that stainless steel pans can contain large amounts of Nickel which is supposed to be highly toxic.  Anyone have any info on that?

 
 
 
Posted On Jun 21, 2007
I've always felt that allergies were environmental.  We live in one of the most common locations for serious allergies, with allergy warnings on the nightly news even.  We have relatives with allergies to just about everything including metals. Yet, we have not (WE - anyone in our immediate family of six and two son-in-laws) suffered any of the various epidemic level allergies. 

I think maintaining your health wisely makes a difference, including not exposing yourself to unnecessary chemicals.  There isn't a carpet in the house.  We also don't do scented candles - do you know they can kill a cockatiel and we have one.  No antibacterial soaps, use raw milk products when possible, etc., etc., etc.  We live in the middle of the woods with lots of trees, grasses and other plants.  Mold is present by the nature of location, but, still no allergies.  I will say that one son-in-law required some serious immune rebuilding when he showed up.

After about another zillion articles like this, I'm hoping that the environmental influence on development of allergies will make a universal impact.  I hate to see people suffer, especially extended family who won't believe our example.  If allergies were genetic, we would have them. 

 
Zambini
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 5/2007
Zambini  
Replied

Cacao
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 3/2007
Cacao  
 
Posted On Jun 22, 2007
We need more articles like this to warn everyone about the dangers of various chemicals that are used to make carpets and clothing (pots and pans, etc.).

When my daughter was a baby she would get a fever when wearing polyester clothing (polyester - fever; cotton - no fever; poyester - fever; cotton - no fever).  We only purchase cotton, wool or clothing with natural fibers.

Wood floors are wonderful!  They are easier to clean and help cut down on allergies.

I do not use scented candles, but I wonder if making your own using 100% pure essential oils would be okay to use around a cockatiel?


cheftodd
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
cheftodd  
 
Posted On Jun 22, 2007
Katyb, have you tried to use the candles made out of bees wax? that might help


A.M.E.
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
A.M.E.  
 
Posted On Jun 22, 2007
Katybr55,
I personally make soy and palm candles...have you ever tried these?  They have much less soot and are all natural (at least the ones I make are).  My sister can't tolerate paraffin candles anymore since she has tried mine.  She swears by them.  It's just a thought. 

A.M.E. Creations


Sheila C
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 1/2007
Sheila C  
 
Posted On Jun 24, 2007
Another thing you may consider is that it is not just all-weather clothing that has Teflon in it.  Recently my husband was looking for a formal dress shirt and the mens wear store sold a lot of shirts that had Teflon in them.  A few years ago I bought a pair of jeans at Wal-Mart for my son which had Teflon in them.  I washed them first and when he wore them his legs were really itchy and it seemed like little black specks (of Teflon?) where coming off and imbedding themselves in his legs.  I'm very careful of the blends of material now and always try to buy cotton or a cotton/poly blend.  I also recently heard a news report that clothing and toys coming from China may be sprayed with a chemical which causes skin disorders.


Zambini
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 5/2007
Zambini  
 
Posted On Jul 12, 2007
KatyB - we use beeswax candles here when we want candlelight.  They are actually very good for your health as they attract allergien particles in the air (info from what I've read at many sites - don't know if the FDA approves)  :-)  I know the bird approves though.  Oh, adn the light is much brighter than other candles.  (PS sorry for any typos, been having problems getting the box to show full screen for typing posts.  Only get to see 1/2 the line and can't spell check because then the submit button goes away.  Hope I get it figured out soon!!!)


ilvsockmonkeys
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2007
ilvsockmonkeys  
 
Posted On Jul 12, 2007
Sheila C -  talking about clothing & teflon, the last school the kids were attending had to wear certain pants and shirts.  We were told to go to Walmart for the best "value'.  I had never heard of teflon in regular clothes before, except a jacket and that was a new thing.  Apparently all the school clothes had teflon in them.

I ended up not getting the clothes there. My kids have sensory issues to begin with so I knew they would not have worn them, even with a few washings. They smelled strong and they felt oily.  I think I could have literally spilled anything on them and they would not have gotten wet.   The shirts were very scratchy even though they were mostly cotton.  Eww.

 
 
 
Posted On Jun 21, 2007
When it is created in a laboratory without MOTHERS permission, then you can bet every last breath you have, that it is laden with problems.

They can test all they want with anyone they want, the fact is, they are going against MOTHER NATURE!!

Ofcourse we are a sick society, Mother is not no.1 priority in the minds of these conventional scientist etc.

 
annapavlova42
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 2/2007
annapavlova42  
 
 
 
Posted On Jun 21, 2007
Very interesting....Mr. Rickard says that PFOA is unlikely to cause allergy problems in humans - yet no studies have looked at this issue in humans.  So I suppose we are to say to ourselves...."Hmmmm...well it is found in mice that there is a connection - but it doesn't happen in humans....it's OK!"  I really do think that these chemicals may act differently in animals and humans - but if there is an effect in one I am certain there is an effect in the other. Am I nuts or does this make sense?

Also, PFOA is found in the blood of nearly everyone - so why am I to feel this has no impact on our health???

 
katieannpc
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 2/2007
katieannpc  
 
 
 
Posted On Jun 21, 2007
And of course PFOA contains that wonderful enzyme poison; bone, tooth and skin corroder... FLUORIDE (the 'fluoro' bit is a give away).

Strange that those behind PFOA haven't come out and said this compound is good for our dental health because it contains fluoride? 
Could it ever be down to the fact that they're aware that air-borne fluoride is seriously toxic?

Sarine nerve gas contains it.  Coal fumes contain it.  Off-gasing from Teflon coated cookware contains it.

Even if one concedes that what Mr. Rickard says is technically true (he's very clever with his language)... he's not saying that PFOA won't cause OTHER reactions in humans.

Like hardening of arteries, bones or teeth. Or gathering in the pineal gland. Triggering early on-set of puberty. Lowering IQ. Increased rates of Osteosarcoma in young boys. Apathy in populations. Depressed thyroid function. Irritable Bowel Syndrome... all of which have been linked to fluoride.

PFOA (to my fluoride alert radar) is simply another source of fluoride in people's lives. We're better off without it. Give me a wooden or stone floor and natural living-stained fabrics any day - both will have, and continue to develop, character and a sense of Life!

 
Sean Uisce
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 11/2006
Sean Uisce  
 
 
 
 
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