Teflon - off the market soon?

[StellaBlue]

Check this out:

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=1540964&WNTad=true

[jamieo]

That's an interesting article. Thanks for posting it. It will be interesting to see what sort of alternative DuPont comes up with. Teflon has made a lot of things easier and it is a shame that it has the potential to be quite toxic.

[StellaBlue]

I see this as a good move - I have long felt that anything that toxic for birds CAN'T be good for humans. I am hoping this will facilitate the development of a non-PTFE nonstick cookware that is safe for birds and people (both the users and the producers).

Note: I used "Teflon" in the title of this thread because the article specifically states that the target of the action is Dupont. I would expect that the ramifications will affect other companies who manufacture PTFE products.

[Lori L]

Originally Posted by StellaBlue

I see this as a good move - I have long felt that anything that toxic for birds CAN'T be good for humans. I am hoping this will facilitate the development of a non-PTFE nonstick cookware that is safe for birds and people (both the users and the producers).

Note: I used "Teflon" in the title of this thread because the article specifically states that the target of the action is Dupont. I would expect that the ramifications will affect other companies who manufacture PTFE products.

Yea Rita!!! I'm always trying to say PTFE instead of the registered trademark form Dupont since there are so many other things that contain PTFE

[Vega]

I got a little chuckle at the end of that article..."no need to throw them out"...after stating things about lawsuits and birth defects....but HEY! No reason to worry!

[Thowraa]

LOL yeah. But they were from living near the factory, not from just using the products.

[jamieo]

Originally Posted by Thowraa

LOL yeah. But they were from living near the factory, not from just using the products.

That's certainly true. There is a difference in being exposed to chemicals in a manufacturing setting or near the facility and being exposed to them in a home-like setting. Since PTFE is virtually indestructable in nature though, I would imagine that whatever harmful effects it has are the result of a gradual increase in concentration over time.

[poi_lover]

Originally Posted by Thowraa

LOL yeah. But they were from living near the factory, not from just using the products.

Yeah, but right now the EPA is trying to determine how this chemical has ended up in the bloodstream of over 95% of all Americans. That was discovered as a result of a year-long study. Note the ABC news article said it's found in the blood of virtually all Americans, so where do you think it's coming from?

BTW, it doesn't break down...ever. Why do you think Dupont is so dedicated to phasing it out, even though they have nothing to replace it? Another article stated (can't remember where) that they have been looking for a replacement for nine years, but haven't been successful. With all the $$ they are bringing in with this product, why are they trying to phase it out with no real alternative?

[My Kiwi]

If you watch the video they show stain resistant carpet as well. How many people have that Can't be good for the cats and dogs either !

[jimpierce7]

I am certainly having to change my thinking a bit due to BirdBoard. I have always been aware of PTFE as the chemical behind Tephlon but have never made a referance to it before. As it is in many of the products I use in the course of a work day. I never really noticed how many items I use have the referance "tephlon" in its name. The biggest being "tephlon" tape of which I currently know of no other name for it. Funny how education for some items comes from the strangest places!! Who would have ever thought that my Tephlon/PTFE awareness would have come from a bird forum. How cool is that?