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Guys, as most of us are immune compromised I thought this article from my local paper is of interest. For all the back and forth about Teflon, this author gives some very good proof that the stuff is toxic.

IF FUMES FROM NON STICK PANS KILL BIRDS, WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO US?

The next time you find yourself standing in front of your stove think twice about using that nonstick pan.

In just tow or three minutes of preheating, your pan will give off fumes that can make you sick. Easch time you use medium to high heat on an empty pan, the surface on Teflon-coated and other nonstick cookdware breaks arpart and emits a toxic chamical called perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, according to the Envirommental Working Group, a Washington, D.C organization that investigates issues of environmental healthe and safety.

Studies have shown that PFOA is present at lwo levels in 9 our to 10 Americans and in the blood of most newborns. In one study, of 600 childree tested, 96 % had PFOA in their blood. Animal studies strongly suggest that when enough PFOA builsd up in the body, it can cause cancer, liver damage, growth defects and immune -system damage.

For 50 years, DuPont, the manufacture of Teflon, has said that its coatings do not emit hazardous chemicals through normal use. But recent DuPont sutdies, reported by the Environmental Working Group, show that at high temperatures (more than 500 degrees Fahrenheit) Telfon (and similar nonstick coatings) releases at least 6 toxic gases, including tow carcinogens, tow global pollutants and MFA (monoflurooacetic acid) a chemical lethal to humans at low doses. At temperatures that DuPont scientists say are reached on stovetop drip pans, nonstick coatings break down to a chemical-warfare agent known as PFIB, and a chemical analogue of the WW II nerve gas phosgene. The environmental gourp warns that the coatings break down at jsut 325 degrees F, or at a medium flame.

As a result of this new data, the gourp has petitioned the Consumer Product Safety Commision to require that cookwaere and heated appliances haveing a non-stick cotings carry a warning label. So far, the government had not assessed the safety of nonstick cookware and therefore, therre are no wrning labels.

In the meantime, a number of lawsuits against DuPont are pending. One of the latest suits comes from Miami, where attorneys hope to win compensation for "alsmos" every American that has pruchased a pot or pan coated with DuPont's nonstick coating.

Dupont was fined bye the EPA for allegedly hiding data for years on the toxicity of PFOA, and also for contaminating the Ohio River drinking wate supply near its West Virgina plant.

Avain veterinarians have known for decades the Teflon off-gasses are a leading cause of death among virds, and estimated that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of birds are killed each year.

Like canaries that wre used in the coal mines, birds act as an early warning systme for humans. The EPA recommends that bird ownder avouid cookware and heated applinces with nonstick coating completley. Perhaps everyone shcould be heeding this warning.

While you can choose whether or not to use Teflon pans, thre is no way for you to tell if food containser and packa ging contains PFOA. In one frightening example, the Food and Drug Ammiistrationtion has looked at micorwavable popcorn packaging and fount the PFOA is not only present but also that it gets into the oil form the packaging during heating.

You may want to microwave your popcorn in a plain brown bag instead. DuPont also makes a Teflon silicone lubricant aerosol spray used to waterproof, protect and preserve rubber, plastic, vinyl, leather, metal and wood. One can only imagine how hose particles are ending up in out lungs.

In January 2006, DuPont agreed to an EPA plan to phase out PFOA by the year 2015.

In the meantime, start thinking about alternatives. Try switching to stainless steel-most chefs agree that it browns foods better than nonstick surfaces.

Cast iron is another great alternative to nonstick. It is extremely durabl and can now be purchased seasoned and ready to use. There are also ceramic titanium and porcelain enameled cast riorn. Both of these surfaces are very durable, better at browning foods than nonstick coatings, and are diswhawasher safe.

Anodized aluminum is antor choice, but some people question its safey, citing evidence in some studies linking aluminum exposure to Alzheimer's disease.

If you're thinking about Calphalon, be aware that the non-stick coating used in Simply Calphalon cookware is not Teflon, but is made by ExxonMobil, and uses the same chemical compound as Teflon..

If you can't bring ourself to toss out every Teflong-coated pan in your kithen, at least manage your use of it carefully by making sure your kitchen is well ventilated and do the follwoing: Never preheat on hight, never leave non-stick pans unattended on an open flame or tother heat source, dont use metal utensils, wash by hand using nonabrasive cleaner and spnges, don't stack pans, keep per birds out of the kitchen.

At first, I must admit, I was resistant to giving up my nonstick omelet pan. Every time I tried making eggs in a stainless steel pan the would stick to the bottom. But I persisted, and after some playing around with the timing of preheating and using of a bit more gutter or oilt than I was used to, I discovered I could make the perfect omelet.

Beth Greer, SF Chroncicle 8-16-2006.

My note: Teflon is brought to you by the same company that is the origin of the "munitions makers" theory of all the wars we've been involved itn The Duponts soriginally made their millions (prob now billions) manufacturing gunpowder. Not unlike Halliburton and Bechtel today.