Non-stick pans have gained huge popularity in the last decade. They’re easy to use, and convenient to clean. But what many don’t know is that these pieces of toxic cookware come with an unfortunate danger – chemicals that cause a variety of health issues.
We all try to make the right choices when it comes to food. Whether that is vegan, organic, or gluten-free, if you’re not cooking on the right cookware, you could be sabotaging your whole plan to eat healthy in the first place.
Luckily, replacing these products isn’t too hard, you just have to invest in a brand that takes caution in ensuring their cookware isn’t toxic.
4 Pieces of Toxic Cookware
Here are my top four pieces of toxic cookware you should immediately replace.
1. Ceramic-Coated Cookware
Ceramic-coated pots, pans, and cutlery may look nice, but they aren’t so nice when it comes to leeching harmful chemicals. They’re manufactured from various metals that are coated with a synthetic polymer, which is softer than metal (1). This means that there is some sort of metal (usually hard anodized aluminum) that has been coated with a layer of ceramic. Keep in mind that this is different from 100% ceramic cookware, which is completely safe and will be mentioned under “safe alternatives” below.
While ceramic coats are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-free, some products may contain lead or cadmium. This is mostly true for products that come from Latin America and Asia, as there are stricter requirements by the FDA in the United States, which require ceramic products to be free of lead or cadmium (2).
Unfortunately, ceramic coats don’t last that long (about one year), and once the coating chips (after high temperatures and mishandling), the glaze will often chip. If your ceramic-coated cookware does indeed contain lead and cadmium, this will cause the heavy metals to leach into your food.
Lead is extremely toxic and can lead to symptoms like hearing loss, vomiting, seizures, constipation, abdominal pain, sluggishness and fatigue (3). Not to mention, if the chip goes as far as the aluminum underneath the ceramic coating, then you have the possibility of aluminum particles entering your body (which, as we all know, is highly linked to neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease (4)).
If you must purchase ceramic-coated cookware, be sure to look at companies that are based in the USA, or companies that use 100% ceramic to reduce aluminum exposure. I’ll list these companies below.
2. Non-Stick Cookware (Teflon)
Non-stick pans have gained major popularity in the homes of millions. They’re convenient and easy to clean and reduce the hassle of any food particles sticking to the bottom of the pan. While these pans are loved by those with little time to deal with the fuss ruining, say, the perfect pancake, they also come with the danger of toxic chemicals leaching into your food.
Non-stick cookware is manufactured with a synthetic coating of PTFE (mentioned above), a plastic polymer that releases toxins if heated above 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This synthetic polymer, also known as Teflon (a DuPont brand trademark), has been linked to cancer and reproductive problems (5).
To put this to the test, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) discovered that it only took about 5 minutes for a Teflon-coated pan to reach 721ºF on a conventional, electric stove top. This test showed that the cookware exceeded the temperatures deemed “safe” by DuPont themselves (about 660ºF). EWG found that Teflon-coated pans essentially turned toxic through the simple act of preheating a pan, on a burner set on high. At 680ºF, Teflon pans released at least six toxic gases, including two carcinogens, two global pollutants, and MFA, a chemical lethal to humans at low doses (6).
Inhalation of the toxic fumes released by Teflon cookware can cause polymer fume fever, which causes chills, fevers, chest tightness, and a mild cough. These fumes are even lethal to birds, kill millions of pets every year (7).
There are pretty good alternatives to non-stick cookware, and I’ll list those below. Many green companies have come out with a Teflon alternative that is generally pretty safe, and a much better alternative to the toxic cookware that DuPont creates.
3. Aluminum Cookware
Cooking with aluminum or aluminum foil is also pretty dangerous, given the dangers of aluminum itself. There’s been quite a bit of research linking elevated aluminum levels to central nervous system problems. One 2013 study in Immunologic Research linked aluminum to Alzheimer’s, ALS, and autism spectrum disorders (8).
While aluminum cookware is often coated to prevent leaching, the coating does tend to chip and deteriorate, just like ceramic materials. Instead of utilizing aluminum cookware and aluminum foil, invest your money in a greener option – there are lots of them!
4. Copper Cookware
Copper cookware, while beautiful, is also quite toxic. The popularity of copper is mainly thanks to the material’s conductive properties that enable even and quick heating.
Uncoated copper has the ability to quickly leach into your food, especially when heated. Even copper cookware that is coated, often contains nickel, an extremely toxic and highly allergenic compound. Too much copper in the diet suppresses zinc levels, which is necessary for proper immune function. Lowered zinc levels are also linked to malfunctioning of the adrenals and thyroid gland.
There are a lot better alternatives when it comes to copper. If you require consistent and fast heating, there are other safer alternatives out there that don’t come with the dangers of any leaching metals or other compounds.
Safe Cookware Alternatives
When buying pots and pans, always choose items made from safe, non-toxic materials like carbon steel, lava rock, porcelain enamel, or tempered glass.
Here are just a few options for those looking for safer alternatives to toxic cookware.
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