Teflon Non-Stick Pans Potential Adverse Health Effects Nature, July 19, 2001;412:321-324 Research: David A. Ellis, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto; Jonathan W. Martin, Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph; Derek C.G. Muir, National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada, Burlington, Canada. Nothing may stick to Teflon, but new research suggests that the byproducts of the heat-resistant coating may be sticking around in the environment for a long time. Researchers in Canada have discovered that heating Teflon — the coating used in non-stick frying pans — and other similar compounds [...]

Stainless Steel: Potential Problems (As Found in Stents, Cookware, Silverware) Lancet, 2000; 356: 1895-1897 Contrary to common beliefs, contact with stainless steel may not be inert and benign. A new study has found that stainless steel coronary stents may trigger allergic reactions to substances such as nickel, molybdenum, or chromium, which are released. These allergic reactions may be a major factor in causing in-stent restenosis. The researchers looked at 131 patients (avg. age 62 years) with coronary stainless-steel stents who underwent angiography for suspected restenosis. The average time since the [...]