| p>The containers in which you store food and drink | | | | following areas: architectural, fabrics, automotive |
| and the kitchen utensils you use can have a huge | | | | uses, cabling materials, food processing, |
| impact on your fertility. Dangerous and toxic | | | | pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing, and |
| compounds from plastics, Teflon, aluminum, stainless | | | | semiconductor manufacturing. Products include |
| steel, copper and possibly others such as silicone (an | | | | industrial and medical tubing, films, chemical linings, |
| amalgamation of compounds, and there are no long | | | | coatings on electrical insulation, fabrics, metals, |
| term studies on its effects on human health), have a | | | | electronic data insulation and telecommunications. |
| direct impact on your ability to conceive and can also | | | | They can be found in many different products |
| lead to miscarriages. | | | | including: |
| Teflon And Other Non-Stick Surfaces: | | | | * Automotive products; |
| Since you now understand the dangers of heavy | | | | * Carpet; |
| metals, there is no need to go over the dangers of | | | | * Cleaning products; |
| cookware made from single heavy metals such as | | | | * Clothing, including kids; |
| aluminum or copper, or amalgamations of heavy | | | | * Computer accessories; |
| metals or other substances such as stainless steel | | | | * Cookware; |
| and silicone. It is important however, to further | | | | * Fashion accessories; |
| understand the role of Teflon and other non-stick | | | | * Furniture; |
| coated cookware and utensils on human health. | | | | * Gardening products; |
| Non-stick coatings used in the cookware industry are | | | | * Luggage; |
| made from either a silicone base or a fluorocarbon | | | | * Medical supplies; |
| (P.T.F.E.) base. Fluorocarbon coatings are applied in | | | | * Miscellaneous household products; |
| one or two layers, plus a "sealer" or topcoat. | | | | * Music supplies; |
| Heating fluorocarbons causes a gradual breakdown of | | | | * Paints/coatings; |
| the fluoropolymers into a variety of other chemical | | | | * Personal care products; |
| compounds, which are released into the air - these | | | | * Pet supplies; |
| fumes have been shown to kill household birds -- and | | | | * Sporting and outdoor gear |
| this is not all. DuPont, the manufacturer of Teflon, | | | | * And more. |
| acknowledges that the fumes given off by non-stick | | | | Here are some tips for reducing your exposure to |
| coatings can also sicken people, in a condition called | | | | toxic Teflon fluoropolymers: |
| 'polymer fume fever', which can be erroneously | | | | * Replace all non-stick cookware and equipment in |
| diagnosed as the common flu. | | | | your home with enameled cast iron cookware and |
| No one has ever studied the incidence of illness | | | | wooden/bamboo utensils; |
| among users of the billions of non-stick pots and | | | | * When you purchase furniture or carpet, decline |
| pans sold around the world, or the long-term effects | | | | optional treatments for stain and dirt resistance, and |
| from the sickness. However, given the chemical | | | | insist on products that have not been pre-treated |
| cocktail which is Teflon, and the fact that it is toxic | | | | with chemicals. Most of these chemical treatments |
| enough to kill birds, consider what it must do to | | | | contain fluoropolymers that might contaminate your |
| something as small as the tiniest embryo. In addition, | | | | home and family; |
| since fluoropolymers have been shown to cause birth | | | | * Avoid buying clothing with labels that indicate it has |
| defects, adversely affect the immune system and | | | | been coated to repel water, stains, or dirt. Many of |
| disrupt thyroid function (which can cause infertility), -- | | | | these coatings are fluoropolymers. By buying |
| one can safely assume cooking with such utensils | | | | alternatives you will help shrink the fluoropolymer |
| would not be in your best interest. | | | | market and the associated global contamination; |
| If the fumes were not enough, once the Teflon | | | | * Minimize packaged food and greasy fast foods in |
| coating becomes even lightly scratched, it flakes and | | | | your diet. These may be sold in containers that are |
| is often combined with food during cooking. This | | | | coated with fluoropolymers to keep grease from |
| means that these toxic compounds manage to gain | | | | soaking through the packaging. Fluoropolymers are |
| free access into the body in 'large quantities', besides | | | | used in a wide variety of containers, including |
| the toxic fumes. | | | | French-fry boxes, pizza boxes and microwave |
| According to a study commissioned by the | | | | popcorn bags -- luckily you will not be eating these |
| Environmental Working Group, non-stick pots and | | | | foods during your preconception preparation. |
| pans can reach 700 degrees Fahrenheit (370oC) in | | | | However, do be aware of other supposedly healthy |
| three to five minutes, releasing 15 harmful gases and | | | | products packaged in such containers. |
| chemicals, including two carcinogens, two global | | | | * Mainly consume organic, fresh, unprocessed |
| pollutants, and MFA, a chemical lethal to humans at | | | | produce delivered in nature's intended package - its |
| low doses. Non-stick coatings break down to a | | | | own skin! |
| chemical warfare agent known as PFIB, and a | | | | * Avoid buying cosmetics and other personal care |
| chemical analogue of the WWII nerve gas, phosgene. | | | | products with the words 'fluoro' or 'perfluoro' on the |
| Other General Uses of Teflon: | | | | ingredient list. Products that might contain |
| The dramatic part of the story when it comes to | | | | fluoropolymers include lotions, pressed powders, nail |
| Teflon is that it is used in so many household items | | | | polish, and shaving cream. Try to always buy |
| and industries (some of which you may be | | | | chemical-free personal hygiene items and if you are |
| completely unaware) that it is difficult, but not | | | | unsure, check the Environmental Working Group's |
| impossible, to reduce exposure. | | | | cosmetic safety database. |
| Industrial uses for Teflon fluoropolymers includes the | | | | |