Can Teflon Cause Cancer? : Facts & Myths Essay examples

For several decades, Teflon and its constituent PFOA were praised as the one and only solution regarding non-stick cooking ware and weather proofed clothing. When the first reports surfaced, describing the negative environmental impact of PFOA, consumers and NGOs started to question the safety of the substance for humans.

2005). Exposure to the contamination can lead to future health issues. For instance, the development to brain tumors, brain cancers, kidney cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia as well as reproductive effects such as birth defects, fetal death, and intrauterine growth retardation. This is just one of the many problematic issues pertaining materials used for clothing.

Similarly, just because an agent is known to cause cancer does not mean that any exposure can cause cancer. Only where an individual has been exposed to a carcinogen at a dose sufficient to cause cancer is it possible that the carcinogen is the actual cause of that individual’s cancer. What dose of a carcinogen is sufficient to cause cancer will vary

Breast cancer is a well-known outcome of too much exposure to BPA. Over 130 studies have confirmed the link between Bisphenol A and to ailments like breast cancer. BPA can disrupt your endocrine levels. That means BPA can act as hormone, like estrogen. Endocrine disruptors can often lead to cancer. When you heat up plastic (Bisphenol A), phthalates can leak into your food. Phthalates are used to make plastic flexible and unable to break easily. Phthalates can cause cancer if you are exposed to too much. A way to prevent cancer causing phthalates and BPA is to buy all BPA products and do not heat up food in a plastic container or covered with plastic

Aluminum has historically been suspected of being a carcinogen for over a century, so its ability to induce breast cancer shouldn’t be considered farfetched (Darbre, Mannello, & Exley, 2013). It is classified as a xenoestrogen, along with BPA, parabens, and phthalates; this implies that it has estrogen-like effects that can alter the function of natural estrogen, thus contributing to cancer (Konduracka, Krzemieniecki, & Gajos, 2014). Aluminum is not a necessary component of the body, and has been widely regarded as a neurotoxin, but its other effects are still unknown (Mandriota, Tenan, Ferrari, & Sappino, 2016). However, it is prevalent in many products, such as antacids, food, vaccines, cosmetics, just to name a few (Mandriota et al., 2016). There has not been much attention to the possible dangers of aluminum absorption at low levels until recently (Darbre et al., 2013). For example, antiperspirants are a major source of controversy as to whether they can promote the development of breast cancer. There have been very few epidemiological studies that address this topic, as it would be too challenging with the number of confounders involved (Darbre et al., 2013). This essay’s purpose is to summarize the research findings regarding aluminum’s effects on breast cancer development and address public health implications.

Exposure to a constant and high level of asbestos can often times lead to cancer. Mesothelioma and lunch cancer are to of the most common asbestos cancers reported today. Gastrointestinal cancer and colorectal cancer have also been highly reported due to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a highly hazardous chemical that was commonly used in homes and buildings starting in the 1930's. Asbestos was used as insulation in walls as well as the backing for flooring. What makes this chemical so harmful to people is that when dry, the small shards of asbestos break off and become airborne which then creates the chance of inhaling the chemical. If asbestos is inhaled on a consistent basis, the shards attach onto the lunch tissue and in the breathing airway.

Despite all those uses, asbestos remains a danger to human health. Breathing in these microscopic fibers can cause a variety of respiratory illnesses like asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos fibers become easily airborne, especially during regular maintenance of machinery or materials containing the mineral, construction and repair work or demolition.

Stomach cancer is one of the most dangerous and most common forms of death. Many people do not realize that bad habits or more precisely bad lifestyle also contribute the percentage of a person can be affected by cancer. A study proves, the groups of people below are more likely to get stomach cancer compared to ordinary people:

Teflon can be found in many kitchens in the United States, but those using the non-stick coating may not know the environmental and physical consequences of cooking with this product. Originally, teflon was found to be a laboratory accident that ended up being a significant product that was non-stick and durable (Kelly, Sharon). These non-stick surfaces are mainly metal pans that are coated with a synthetic polymer called polytetrafluoroetheylene (PTFE) (EWG). This product causes the pan to function as a non-stick cooking surface, making it easier to cook with, giving an easier clean up after meals and is sought after by many individuals who cook in their homes. The heating and use of teflon is environmentally and physically unsafe,

Also, of equal importance is the matter of chemicals being allied with affecting the human hormones and much more. “The National Institute of Health Sciences lists it as a suspected endocrine disrupter, and several studies point to its possible contribution to reproductive-health problems and genetic mutations,” Beem, E. A. (2016). Lawn Fertilizer Dangers: Are They Giving You Cancer? | Reader's Digest. We may not realize or distinguish it now, but we need to! We can’t even cipher why we have all of these disabilities forming. We are slowly killing ourselves and the things around us every day without vexing it.

Back in 2013, when this idea was first brought forward, concerns were immediately raised however, due to conflicting evidence regarding fluoride and its effect on our health, it was unfortunately carried on through. Due to more recent findings however, Councillor Tony Williams is now urging parents within Blackpool to begin

Some food in our daily lives is very common, almost every day to eat. However, regular consumption of these foods, but the body will cause harm, even cause cancer. Then you know you have what daily life diet taboos it? Today small to tell you every day carcinogenic food black list, together vigilant about it!

Chemicals are also suspected to cause breast cancer. Xenoestrogens are chemicals with estrogen-like effects, they are found in pesticides and other common industrial products. Other estrogen-like chemicals that have a stronger association with breast cancer include dieldrin and beta-hexachloraocyclohexane. Although these chemicals are very weak estrogens, one study showed that exposure to single weak-estrogen compounds isn’t a big risk but a combination of two or more chemicals result in extremely high estrogenic

Exposure to asbestos can cause life-threatening illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, pleural calcification, and pulmonary fibrosis. Asbestos is known for it's incredible strength and fire resistance. When asbestos fibers enter the body by inhalation or ingestion, they settle in vulnerable tissues, inflaming the surrounding area and leads to health problems. Military veterans, Construction Workers, and Firefighters are faced with increased risks for asbestos exposure; affecting their immune system, respiratory system and liver (Sokolove, 2015).

"According to the Surgeon General the use of this product may be hazardous to your health"; and alcohol with the label: "Government Warning: (1) according to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems. Contains sulfites."Technology is not the problem in itself, but rather the manner in which it is used.