There are various kitchen utensils to make meals more delicious and to prepare them in a practical way. Did you know that non-stick pans, one of the most frequently used products of many people, pose a great danger to health? Researchers have found that teflon pans can release millions of microplastics.
A SINGLE SMALL SCRATCH IS DANGEROUS
According to research, a single scratch on the surface of a non-stick pan can introduce millions of microplastics into your food. An Australian study using light waves to measure microscopic particles found just one crack in a Teflon-coated pan, that crack caused tiny toxins to explode. Per-and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, are adhesion and heat resistant particles used to make millions of kitchen utensils in the US.
RELATED TO HEALTH PROBLEMS SUCH AS CANCER, INfertility
In recent years, it has been associated with a number of health problems, including various types of cancer, autism and infertility. They’re so abundant that a 2020 study found that 99 percent of Americans have detectable levels in their bloodstream. Research last month estimated that 57,000 neighborhoods in the US were polluted with toxic chemicals forever.
PARTICLES SPREAD VERY EASY
Doctors at Flinder University in Australia found that if a frying pan has a scratch or mark of just 5 cm, it can release up to 2.3 million particles. Experts said these microparticles could be a “health issue” as so little is still known about the pollutants. Light waves were able to track how easily particles could propagate and move. Millions of people switched to the pan, which allowed them to get into the food. When counted, there were over 9,000 plastic particles in total in the pan.
EXPERTS STATED THAT YOU SHOULD NOT USE
In the back of the study, experts recommended not using non-stick pans.
Professor Youhong Tang, a researcher at Flinders University, said: “It gives us a strong warning that we need to be careful when choosing and using cookware to avoid food contamination.
THE RISK OF CATCHING THE DISEASE INCREASES 4.5 TIMES
Researchers at the Southern California Center for Environmental Health Sciences in the US had previously found that chemicals can also lurk on pots, spoons and other household items, forever. Experts said the chemicals may increase your risk of a common type of liver cancer known as non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma. The study found that those exposed to toxins had a 4.5-fold increased risk of developing the disease.
INCREASES THE RISK OF LIVER CANCER
The chemical, perfluoctane sulfate, is known as a ‘forever chemical’ as it takes years to degrade in the environment. Dr Jesse Goodrich, postdoctoral researcher at USC, said in a statement: “Liver cancer is one of the most serious endpoints in liver disease, and this is the first study in humans to show that PFAS is associated with this disease.”
IT IS IN MANY ITEMS WE USE
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the US says these chemicals are ubiquitous, including in toiletries and the utensils we use to cook.