Beware of non-stick pots and pans. The alarm comes from a group of over 200 scientists, very concerned about the use of certain substances called PFASs in the production of non-stick pots and pans. They could be harmful to health.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
Beware of pots and pans non-stick pans. The alarm comes from a group of over 200 scientists, very concerned about the use of certain substances called PFASs in the production of non-stick pots and pans. They might turn out harmful to health.
Scientists have published their opinion on Environmental Health Perspectives. The document, called “The Madrid Statement on Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)”, bears the signatures of the scientists who have dealt with the matter.
These man-made chemicals they have been found both in the environment and in the tissues of humans and animals around the world. The problem is that they can relocate from pots and pans - as well as the packaging and take-away containers in which they may be present - to the food we will bring to the table.
Such substances, according to experts, they can migrate into air, water and soil. The Madrid Declaration calls on governments around the world to limit the production and use of these chemicals. At the same time, he recommends that consumers avoid them.
Of course, some industry groups have opposed the document, arguing that some of the substances under consideration are safe. The problem actually appears more complex, given that it would not be enough to eliminate the substances under accusation from the products to make them safe.
In fact, at the moment there would be no good alternative substitutes that would allow to avoid the use of PFASs. As happened in the case of flame retardants and the bisphenol A, these substances risk being replaced with equally problematic and dangerous alternatives.
The Madrid Declaration requests that the presence of potentially dangerous substances in crockery and packaging be declared on the label, with particular reference to non-stick coatings.
Numerous substances are linked to the substances that are part of the PFASs health risks: obesity, liver and kidney problems, low birth weight, decreased immune response to vaccines. Other problems - not yet confirmed in humans - concern liver toxicity, endocrine and immune systems, tumors in various organs.
It is not yet possible to establish definitive causal relationships for all possible health problems indicated by scientists, but in the Madrid Declaration the experts still call for questioning the use of fluorinated chemicals that can improve the performance of products, starting with from non-stick pots and pans.
Unfortunately, these substances appear to be widely used on an industrial level. Perhaps, to protect ourselves, we could ask companies what substances are used for the production of pots and pans before making a decision for a new purchase.
Read Thu la Madrid declaration.
Marta Albè
Read also:
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Does Teflon release toxic substances?
Cooking food: which pots and pans to choose? The pros and cons of all materials
