Health Canada is issuing no warnings on PFCs; still some say 'Take no chances'
Toronto Globe & Mail, Martin Mittelstaedt
Published May 28, 2006
When it comes to reducing exposures to the chemicals used in non-stick and stain-resistant products, Health Canada doesn't recommend taking any actions, in part because scientists have yet to determine how the contaminants are getting into people.
But the Environmental Working Group, a Washington activist group that has been pressing for regulatory action on these compounds, known as perfluorochemicals, isn't waiting for researchers to figure out the puzzle.
It's urging consumers to adopt a major lifestyle switch by avoiding kitchen products, furnishings, and clothing made with non-stick, and stain- and grease-resistant coatings. The group is particularly concerned that chemicals are leaking from paper products coated with grease repellants used in convenience food packaging.
"It's safe to say that if you're eating fast food or microwave popcorn, you're still eating PFCs today. There is no question about that," said Richard Wiles, a spokesman for the group.
Perflurochemicals are used in such items as pizza boxes, microwave popcorn containers and French fry boxes, although some companies, such as McDonalds, say they will no longer use wrappers containing the chemicals.
Differing exposures to products could be one of the reasons for the huge differences in blood levels of these compounds among individuals. In one U.S. study of children and blood levels of a perfluorochemical known as PFOA, used as a processing aid to make Teflon, researchers found the average concentration was 5.6 parts per billion, but readings stretched from under 1.9 ppb to 56.1 ppb. Similar studies have not been done on Canadian children.
For consumers looking to buy furnishings and carpets, the group recommends declining optional treatments for stain resistance. In the kitchen, it recommends avoiding non-stick pots and pans.
Environmental Working Group has conducted experiments that found non-stick pans, if left on stove elements at high settings for four to five minutes, can reach temperatures high enough to cause fumes from the breakdown of their Teflon coatings. For unknown reasons, birds are sensitive to these gases, in an effect dubbed "Teflon toxicosis" that has led to claims of avian deaths.
Teflon's manufacturer, DuPont Co., says kitchenware made with its famous brand name is safe if used properly, and doesn't contain residues of PFOA, a chemical deemed a likely human carcinogen.
David Boothe, DuPont's global manager for such products as Teflon, disputes that birds are harmed by Teflon, which is a hard plastic. He said any adverse effects are due to the noxious fumes created by the charred food, cooking oils, and plastic pot handles when pots are left to overheat.
He said leaving cookware to burn is never a good idea. "A lot of bad things happen when you overheat your cookware, not least of which is you could burn your house down."
Environmental Working Group also suggests avoiding clothing, particularly for children, that has a label indicating water, stain, or dirt resistance. Many of the coatings that impart these properties use perfluorochemicals.
