Hey Go For Zero fam! 

Today's topic is a doozy, but crucially important - the toxic dangers lurking in your kitchen cookware.

It's easy to be lured by the convenience of non-stick pans that promise to let our food slide right off with minimal oil and easy cleanup. But at what cost to our health? Those slick coatings found on traditional non-stick cookware are actually made with highly toxic "forever chemicals" that have no business anywhere near our food, let alone in our bodies.

I know, I know - I was horrified too when I first learned about this sneaky source of PFAS exposure. So let's dive into the specifics on why you need to ditch those sketchy non-stick pans ASAP and what non-toxic cookware options to use instead.

What Are PFAS "Forever Chemicals"?

If you’ve not heard of them before, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of synthetic chemicals that have been used since the 1940s to make all sorts of products resistant to water, stains, and grease - including those slick non-stick cookware coatings.

The key issue is that these human-made compounds do not break down at all. In fact, they persist indefinitely in the environment and human body, accumulating over time through repeated exposures - which is why PFAS have been dubbed the 'forever chemicals'.

Most people will have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood from exposure through food packaging, non-stick cookware, stain-resistant products, contaminated water and more. While the risk is higher in areas with concentrated PFAS pollution, it's very difficult to avoid some level of exposure from the widespread use of these compounds. So let's focus on what we can impact below.

The Disturbing Health Impacts of PFAS Exposure

This is particularly concerning because the more PFAS build up in our systems over our lifetimes, the more serious the potential health impacts. Numerous studies have linked higher bodily PFAS levels to an increased risk of:

• Certain cancers, including kidney and testicular
• Thyroid disease
• Liver damage
• Fertility issues and pregnancy complications
• Developmental delays in children
• Weakened immune function and reduced vaccine efficacy
  

While more research is still needed, many scientists advocate reducing all unnecessary PFAS exposures as a precaution due to the persistence and bioaccumulation of these "forever chemicals".

The quote-unquote "convenient" world of non-stick cookware we've been sold is actually an insidious poisoning, as evidenced by the real-life case of attorney Rob Bilott exposing chemical giant DuPont's concealment of the severe health impacts of PFOA, the compound formerly used to make Teflon coatings.

As The Guardian described it: "Bilott's discovery... went far beyond [one farmer's] property line. The poison flowing into [the farmer's] creek was also leaching into the drinking water of 70,000 of his neighbours, but no one was being told a thing. And this was just the tip of the iceberg. In secret, the poison had in fact streamed all across the country, and into the bloodstreams of virtually every American." 

The Terrifying Truth About Non-Stick Cookware

Because PFAS manufacturing and use is so widespread in consumer goods, it's extremely difficult to avoid exposure entirely. For many of us, one of the most consistent exposure comes from using non-stick cookware around the house every single day.

Those convenient coatings get their non-stick properties from chemicals like PFOA, which has been linked to numerous health issues. While companies have started phasing out PFOA from use in Teflon and similar coatings, they simply substituted in other kinds of PFAS that may not actually be any safer.

The bigger problem is that when non-stick coatings become scratched or overheated while cooking, they can release a torrent of toxic PFAS particles and plastic microfibers into your food.

A 2022 study found that just a single crack in a Teflon pan could release over 9,100 hazardous microplastic particles into your meal! As the pan degrades, that number escalates into the millions of PFAS-laced particles being ingested by your family.

No thanks! 

The truth is non-stick cookware is pretty much disposable these days. As the coating breaks down, those pans become toxic hazards that we're forced to continuously replace and are often more than not send to landfills where the PFAS persist indefinitely as environmental pollutants. 

The Safest Non-Toxic Cookware Options

1. Cast Iron - One of the oldest cookware materials, cast iron is incredibly durable. It heats evenly and develops a natural semi-gloss seasoned finish when properly cared for, creating a stick-resistant patina over time without harmful coatings.
2. Enameled Cast Iron - This features a cast iron core with a glassy enamel coating that prevents rust and eliminates the need for seasoning. The enamel coating makes for easy cleaning while still being extremely durable for slow cooking, drawing out maximum flavour.
3. Wrought Iron - Crafted through meticulous shaping of heated iron, wrought iron cookware offers exceptional durability and versatility in the kitchen. Like cast iron, it develops a natural non-stick surface over time with proper care, making it a safe and sustainable choice.
4. Stainless Steel - Quality multi-ply stainless steel with a conductive aluminium or copper core heats quickly and evenly without hotspots. It's extremely low maintenance and will not leach chemicals or react with foods. Just avoid cheap stainless with risky non-stick coatings applied.
5. Carbon Steel - Lighter than cast iron yet still naturally stick-resistant once seasoned, carbon steel cookware tolerates even higher heat levels. The smooth surface works similarly to seasoned cast iron while being easier to handle.
6. Pure Ceramic - Not the synthetic ceramic non-stick coatings, but solid ceramic pieces made of all-natural clay and glazes fired at high temperatures. Ceramic dishes have no toxic glazes or coatings.
7. Glass- It doesn't get more inert and non-reactive than classic glass bakeware, casserole dishes, and food storage containers made by trusted brands like Pyrex.

We're big fans of Australian company SolidTeknics who've engineered a seamless wrought iron cookware range that develops a natural seasoned finish for non-stick convenience, no PFAS required! They have a wide range of Australian made pots and pans, and plastic free kitchen tools.

But what about ceramic non-stick pans?

A note on ceramic non-stick coatings: While marketed as "ceramic," these are not actually made from authentic ceramic materials. The coatings are synthetic polymers that can release heavy metals and nanoparticles as they degrade, presenting potential health concerns. That means the jury is still out on ceramic non-stick pans for us. We're choosing to stay on the safe side until there is conclusive evidence about whether this cookware option is safe.

A final thought on safeguarding your kitchen and health

While these natural cookware materials are more expensive and may require slightly more upkeep than the convenience of non-stick, at least you can cook with peace of mind knowing there are zero risky PFAS or synthetic coatings that could leach into your family's food (remember the 9,100 microplastics releasing with one scratch in your non-stick pan), AND they will last you a life time, saving money in the long run!

At the end of the day, detoxing your kitchen from PFAS is simply a matter of being an educated consumer and voting with your dollar for safer, long lasting (Aussie made) alternatives. 

Let's ditch those dangerous non-stick pans for good! Your body and our precious planet will thank you for taking a stand against toxic PFAS.

As always, I'm here if you need any other tips for creating a safe, sustainable, non-toxic home that you can truly feel good about. Living PFAS-free is a journey, and we will keep you updated on more reseach coming out so we can make safer choices. We've got this!

To healthy kitchens and a healthy planet,

Love Ellie and the GFZ team x