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California Governor Gavin Newsom He rejected a bill that would have banned it PFAS In California cookware.
PFAS, which stands for Poly and polyfluoroalkyl materialsare man-made chemicals that have been used in the United States since the 1940s. Commonly referred to as Chemicals foreverThey fail to decompose in the environment or body over time, and they do Associated with potential health effects. PFAS are found in clothing, packaging, and nonstick cookware, among many other items.
According to a study from National Library of Medicinewhich looked at PFAS in items that come into contact with food, the highest PFAS content was found in microwave popcorn bags and nonstick cookware, “possibly because they reach very high temperatures and are used for long periods,” the study says. “Moreover, the Old kitchen utensilsintended for repeated use, should be taken into consideration when evaluating PFAS carryover.”
Why does Governor Newsom say he vetoed the bill
In a statement explaining why the proposed bill was rejected, Newsom said that if passed, it would “result in a significant and rapid shift in the cooking products available to Californians,” adding that he is “deeply concerned” that it will impact “the availability of affordable options in cooking products.”
Non-stick pans It is usually much cheaper than Non-toxic options. Despite this rejection, California has banned PFAS from other items in the state, including… Menstrual productsAs studies on chemicals continue.
What are the risks associated with non-stick cookware?
Nonstick cookware containing chemicals has forever been linked to an increased incidence of certain diseases, including cancer.
According to the CDC Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry“Epidemiological evidence suggests” that exposure to certain types of PFAS may increase certain health effects, such as cholesterol levels, liver enzymes, kidney and testicular cancer, and more, depending on exposure and individual factors.
“At this time, scientists are still learning about the health effects of exposure to mixtures of different PFAS,” the agency stated. “Additional research may change our understanding of the relationship between PFAS exposure and effects on human health.”
said state Sen. Benjamin Allen, author of the proposed California bill Los Angeles Times He was disappointed in the decision.
“We know there are safer alternatives, (but) I understand there are strong voices on both sides of the issue,” he told the outlet, later adding: “I hope we can continue to work on transitioning away from these dangerous products that actually have safer, more affordable alternatives available on the market.”
How to reduce the risk of health problems related to nonstick cookware
Scratched nonstick cookware and pans that are heated to over 500 degrees Fahrenheit are associated with higher health risks.
In general, nonstick cookware becomes unsafe when heated above a certain temperature or when its surface is repeatedly scratched, causing the chemical coating to wear off. For more, read our guide to Nonstick cookware safety And how to know if your pans are safe.