Teflon is one of the most popular bakeware materials in America. Teflon and other non-stick brand names comprise up to 77% of the entire bakeware market.

So what’s wrong with it?

Well, for starters, Teflon is made from perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a synthetic chemical used in production that creates the soap-like slipperiness and non-stick finish.

Once heated, Teflon and other non-stick bakeware will quickly reach temperatures at which toxic fumes release into the air. And it doesn’t take much heat to do this – the coating begins to break down and release toxins at a temperature of only 446° F.

PFOA has become very controversial because of potential health dangers…

In animal studies, PFOA posed health hazards like:

• Serious changes in organs including the brain, prostate, liver, thymus, and kidneys, showing toxicity.
• Death of several rat pups due to PFOA exposure.
• Changes in the pituitary in female rats, at all doses. Changes in the size of the pituitary indicate toxicity.
• PFOA contributed to tumor growth in at least four different organs in animal tests, and indicated in an increase in prostate cancer in PFOA plant workers.

Now the various PFOA doses used in these animal experiments weren’t necessarily the same exposure levels you might get from Teflon. But they clearly show the potential danger from PFOA.

And there’s more evidence:

• In a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), close to 98% of the population returned detected PFOA levels. While PFOA can come from sources other than Teflon, that’s startling information.
• A study reported in 2007, conducted by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, showed alarming evidence indicating newborn infants face exposure to PFOA while in the womb.
• Though not necessarily related to Teflon, PFOA has already been implicated in increased instances of cancer in the pancreas, liver, testicles, and mammary glands, as well as miscarriages, thyroid problems, weakened immune systems, and low organ weights.

So, from a health and safety standpoint, Teflon bakeware is not a good choice.

Also, there are many other non-stick brand names that contain this toxic PFOA coating, including: Silverstone, Fluron, Supra, Excalibur, Greblon, Xylon, Duracote, Resistal, Autograph and T-Fal, to name just a few. So, avoid these as well.

In fact, if you have any bakeware made from this non-stick material, I would recommend you throw it out and replace it immediately.

Why You Should Avoid Aluminum

So, what are some of your other choices for baking appliances?

What about aluminum – it’s also very popular and lightweight? In fact, consumers choose metal bakeware products 73% of the time.

But I would not recommend aluminum pans for baking if you want to enjoy your golden years. Aluminum is a causal factor suspect in Alzheimer’s disease.

In my experience, people dread Alzheimer’s disease more than cancer and heart disease, for good reason.

Aluminum is a “reactive” metal, meaning that it reacts with salty or acidic foods to release itself into your food. Sources of aluminum include any size cookware or bakeware containers, foil, and utensils.

And many if not most aluminum bakeware manufacturers choose to coat their products with Teflon or other non-stick materials. So, you could face the same hazards detailed above from Teflon.

In addition, you can also face exposure to aluminum when Teflon chips off your coated aluminum baking dish or pan.

So, aluminum might satisfy one of our selection criteria by being lightweight – but I feel the safety risks are too high. Plus, I’m convinced there is a better alternative available for you.

Article taken from various articles on Mercola.com

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