What do we know about the chemical PFOA, which is known to be found in Teflon and causes very important health problems such as cancer in humans? Is it really harmful to health, what are its uses today? Let’s take a closer look.
If we ask what is the most popular kitchenware of a period, most of us Teflon pans and the pot said. Teflon pans, which make cooking extremely easy thanks to the non-sticking of dishes, have been at the center of discussions for many years.
Yes, Teflon makes our life easier. So, is there any harm done to us while doing this? Considering the old Teflon in particular, it has been proven by many studies that the substances in these pans are harmful to your health. It’s even adapted from a true story about the harms of Teflon. “Dark Waters” There’s even a movie called Then let’s take a closer look at whether Teflon is really harmful to health or just an exaggeration.
How did Teflon originate?
Teflon, in 1938 DuPont’It was discovered by the flour chemist Roy J. Plunkett. By 1945, the name “Teflon” was registered and in 1946 products with this substance began to appear on the market. Teflon, Although it is mentioned with items such as pans and pots, it can be found in automotive parts, clothes, tools, light bulbs and many other materials. Even Teflon PFOA that makes it “dangerous”It was used to coat equipment that processes uranium hexafluoride in the first atomic bomb.
So is Teflon really harmful?
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), cooking utensils coated with Teflon are a proven safe for humans. there is no health risk. However, the research conducted in the light of the court, the examinations of some experts, not well-intentioned showing us.
PFOA, a chemical found in Teflon pans in the past, is thought to pose a risk to human health.
According to studies, consuming or absorbing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) can cause various health problems in humans. One of the chemicals in the family of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that stay in the body and accumulate over time. PFOAIt can cause immunological effects along with reproductive and developmental, liver and kidney disorders in laboratory animal tests.
PFOA from Teflon, which is marketed all over the world as a savior, has entered the bodies of 99 percent of people.
Teflon, produced by DuPont, the world’s largest chemical company, was sold to the whole world, including our country, with huge marketing processes. We made many things in these Teflon pans, from fries to scrambled eggs. However, while doing this We also took the PFOA in Teflon pans into our bodies. Or, as DuPont put it, C-8 entered people’s bodies.
The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies PFOA as “Possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
Laboratory studies have found that PFOA is associated with liver cancer, testicular cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Studies have also been done on humans. at a DuPont factory PFOAIn studies on workers exposed to getting kidney cancer There is a difference between those who lost their lives and the presence of PFOA in their bodies.r relationship found.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,i PFAS accumulations It has been explained that increased cholesterol may cause weaker births, high blood pressure, decreased vaccine responses and a higher risk for some cancers.
Research in the DuPont case, whose story was even made into a movie, also showed us the harmful effects of PFOA.
in the lead role Mark RuffaloThe Dark Waters movie, which was released in 2019, featuring names such as Anna Hattaway, Rob Bilott A lawyer named DuPont, the world’s giant chemical company, was dropped into the river from his factory in West Virginia. of toxic chemicals explains the process of taking the effect on human health to court.
In the lawsuit that continued for many years, DuPont paid a total of 3,535 people injured as a result of PFOA. He paid $921 million in compensation. You can watch the movie, which is based on a true story, on Blu TV.
PFOA has not been used in Teflon production since 2013.
PFOA is no longer used in Teflon production since 2013. However, health institutions can also use water systems that people drink, fish caught from these systems, or products packaged with these chemicals. They say we can get PFOA into our bodies.
There is a significant improvement in PFOA values compared to the past.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PFOA levels have been decreasing since 2002. It is stated that from 1999 to 2014, the use of PFOA decreased by 60 percent.
Today we told you the bloody history of Teflon. Teflon and other products that many of us are likely to be exposed to, although they have more control today. PFOA, including cancer at high doses It can cause many serious health problems. If you want more of this kind of content, you can reach us in the comments section.