In two five minutes tests on a conventional stovetop, cookware coated with Teflon and other non-stick surfaces can exceed temperatures at which the coating breaks apart and emits toxic particles and gases linked to hundreds, perhaps thousands, of pet bird deaths, according to tests commissioned by Environmental Working Group (EWG).

For the past fifty years DuPont has claimed that their Teflon coatings do not emit hazardous chemicals through normal use. In a recent press release, DuPont has is providing consumer with a simple list of tips that may help avoid serious injuries to your pet.

In cases of “Teflon toxicosis,” as the bird poisonings are called, the lungs of exposed birds hemorrhage and fill with fluid, leading to suffocation. DuPont acknowledges that the fumes can also sicken people, a condition called “polymer fume fever.” DuPont tips offer how to deal with the long-term effects from the sickness, and the extent to which Teflon exposures lead to human illnesses believed erroneously to be the common flu.

Of the 6.9 million bird-owning households in the US that claim an estimated 19 million pet birds, are not aware that Teflon poses a hazard to birds. Most non-stick cookware carries no warning label. Now, DuPont publicly acknowledges that Teflon can kill birds.

As a result of the new data showing that non-stick surfaces reach toxic temperatures in a matter of minutes, EWG has achieved that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires cookware and heated appliances bearing non-stick coatings must carry a label warning of the acute hazard the coating poses to pet birds. Additionally, the EWG suggests that bird owners completely avoid cookware and heated appliances with non-stick coatings. Alternative cookware includes stainless steel and cast iron, neither of which offgases persistent pollutants that kill birds.

Below you can find DuPont’s acknowledgement to the issue:

Some people keep their pet birds in the kitchen. It’s a natural gathering place for family, friends and pets. But bird owners should be aware that there are potential dangers in the kitchen, too. Cooking fumes, smoke and odors that have little or no effect on people can seriously sicken and even kill some pet birds, often quite quickly. Dr. Karen Rosenthal, DVM offers tips to keep pet birds safe.

1. Always keep your pet bird out of the kitchen while cooking.
Many veterinarians urge pet owners to keep their birds in a room other than the kitchen. But if the kitchen is your bird’s favorite place, always move it to another room before cooking.

2. Never leave heated cookware unattended.
Sadly, bird fatalities can result when both birds and cooking pots or pans are left unattended in the kitchen - even for just a few minutes. Cooking fumes from any type of unattended or overheated cookware, not just non-stick, can damage a bird’s lungs with alarming speed. This is why you should always move your birds out of the kitchen before cooking.

3. Never preheat your cookware on high heat.
If accidentally overheated, non-stick cookware can emit fumes that may be harmful to birds, as can any type of cookware preheated with cooking oil, fats, margarine and butter. This is why you should always move your birds out of the kitchen before cooking.

4. Always turn on the exhaust fan or open a window before cooking.
It’s important to make sure that your kitchen is properly ventilated. In addition to cooking fumes, birds are highly sensitive to a variety of other fumes such as: aerosol sprays, non-stick sprays, perfumes, any source of smoke, pesticide sprays, glue, paints, self-cleaning ovens and cooking gas.

Dr. Karen Rosenthal, DVM MS, an Avian Veterinarian and Director of Special Species Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, recently discussed safety and care for domesticated birds. Click here to read Dr. Rosenthal’s information on avian health and safety.

Source: www.ewg.org / http://www2.dupont.com

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