Assignment#3

This time on blog assignment, I analyze this issue- “Is Teflon-coated cookware safe? My friends were asking me an advice and recommendation on rice cookers. I have been seeing many posts on social medias regarding this issue.

Most of rice cookers are typically made with teflon-coated inside pan. I myself consume a lot of rice and sticky rice, it is tough to clean after use. Even my InstantPot can work as rice cooker which has stainless pan, but I am still using teflon-coated rice cooker for easier life. 

Same as teflon-coated frying pan, many social media posts claim this teflon-coated pan is not safe to use, some of then recommend viewers to throw them away or point out that teflon supporters are benefitting from pan manufacturer.

Here are the contents I am going to look closely, they are just a few example of thousands of posts regarding teflon. To analyze this assignment, I reflected SIFT approach, following these steps.

1. SWIFT-Stop
   • Content#1

This Instagram post shared on Aug 2024 by Janette Spiezio (on account profile- a founder of clean lifestyle store in NJ), claims not to use teflon-coated pan because a substance called “PFAS” used to coat pans, one of “forever chemicals” which is harmful for human and stays in a body causing “cancer (kidney and testicular), hormone disruption, reproductive harm, and abnormal fetal development.“

2. SWIFT-Investigate

I start searching about “PFAS” and co-lateral reading on Wikipedia as recommended in “CTRL-F” on YouTube.

“PFAS” are everywhere is our life- not only in teflon coated pan, they are used in waterproof fabric such nylon, food packaging and cosmetic products like lipsticks and shampoo.

“Forever chemicals” are refered to a group of persistent chemicals which are hardly degraded in environment and found in human body, as Yale article explains, EPA set enforcement to monitor, report, and reduce PFAS contamination in drinking water in 2024. 

She quoted study of NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) article, which is a US non-profit environmental advocacy group, according to Wikipedia. Looked legitimate claim.

• Content#2

I would like to start investigate Content#2 -another Instagram posts shared by @Masala -he is an author with 110 million follower – of “the science of Indian Cooking” on profile. 

1. SWIFT- Stop

He claims that the material used to coat non-stick pan is safe- the material being used to make Teflon, “PTFE” is non-reactive (that is why it is non-stick) so even if we accidentally eat a little bit of “PTFE”, it is safe, it will digest in our body- this post does not include any source or evidence.

He mentioned “PTTE” could be harmful when is over heated and when inhaling smoke can cause sick.

2. SWIFT-Investigate

I researched about “PTFE” this time on wikipedia.

“PTFE” -Polytetrafluoroethylene is one type of “PFAS” above, commonly known as brand name Teflon.

As I keep searching, Teflon has a history it was questioned about its safety in regard with “PTFE”, a cookware manufacturer Dupont invented in 1938.

The industry used to make “PTFE” teflon with substance called “PFOA” -which persist in environment and build up in human body. The American Cancer Society linked with kidney and testicular and cancer. By the end of 2015, the US phased out the use of “PFOA”.

Regarding the heating concern the post mentioned, Web MD says, Teflon is generally safe, however above 300 degrees Celsius or 570 degrees Fahrenheit, it begins to break down and releases fumes which is danger to health. By inhaling fume, we might experience flu like symptoms.

If teflon can’t harm us when ingest it in our body and the use of PFOA” in manufacturing Teflon has been phased out, so why people are so concerned its safety??

According to Wikipedia, DuPont is replaced “PFOA” to make “PTTE”, using alternative chemicals called “Gex-X”, another “PFAS” chemicals.

The prominent rice cooker manufacture company in Japan Zojirushi also confirmed they don’t use PFOA in its products on their website.

Finally, this post was shared on Nov, 2022. I realized this is old post which we should be careful to believe, the new studies alongside EPA assessment March 2023 came out later.

3. SWIFT- Find better coverage

I found an article on NY Times today that explains well situations of “PFAS” and “PTFE”, and arguments surrounding forever chemicals now. 

This article is about food celebrities like Rachel Ray are speaking up in defense for teflon-coated pan amid of California state moving toward to regulating “forever chemicals” in pans. 

California both House have passed a measure this week for the bill that will ban contentious chemicals like “PFAS”. Those chefs are involved in cookware endorsement and say they are safe when it is used responsibly.

The article mentions the study by Oregon University that shows the manufacturing process of “PTFE” can release “PFAS”, which cause pollution and contaminates drinking water.

4. SWIFT- Trace media, original content

Finally, I reviewed original EPA fact research:

EPA conducted assessment on GenX, a chemical that the industry developed to replace “PFOA”. This report tells animal study shows health effects on liver and kidneys, the immune system and an association with cancer.

Conclusion:

Even though cookware industry has replaced “PFOA” to another chemical to make Teflon, the EPA assessment has shown that the studies proven health effects on animals. The study by Oregon University points out the release of “PFAS” on manufacturing process of “PTFE”. In conclusion, claiming on Teflon is true, it is wroth to pay attention. It is up to consumer’s hand to keep using Teflon coated cookware. Other alternatives for cookware are ceramic material or ceramic coated which is naturally non-stick.