Hidden Danger In Non-Stick Pots & Pans

New concerns have been raised about PFOA and PFOS -- two acronyms that stand for chemicals used in non-stick cookware.

When babies in the womb were exposed to even low levels of the two chemicals -- perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate -- their birth weights were lower than other babies. Environmental advocates have long been worried about the chemicals because they can be measured in human tissues, and seem to persist in the environment. Past studies have linked them to cancer and developmental problems.

The good news? The Environmental Protection Agency has already worked with the manufacturers and users of these chemicals, and PFOA will be phased out voluntarily by 2015. Advocates, though, say that's not soon enough. Two big manufacturers seem to agree, according to a story in today's USA Today. Manufacturers say they're already using safer alternatives. 3M has stopped making PFOA and PFOS. 3M has stopped making both chemicals, and DuPont has nearly removed PFOA from its manufacturing process.

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