Kitchenware: Pots, Pans, Plastic

You cook at home to eat healthier. Here are some ways to keep toxins out of your food.

Cookware

Overheating a nonstick pan can be hazardous. In the 1960s, Dupont testing showed that fumes from Teflon heated above 660 degrees F can cause flu-like symptoms. Environmental Working Group (EWG) tests show that when Teflon pans are heated above 680 degrees, toxins are released, including the animal carcinogens tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Fumes from overheated Teflon have proven fatal to pet birds, and PFOA has been linked to human birth defects. Electric and gas range tops operate at up to 800 to 1,000 degrees. Tests by 3M have found PFOA in the blood of 96 percent of children tested in 23 states.

The best replacements for nonstick pans:

*Lodge unseasoned CS2 Chef Skillet, 10" wide, ($11.95 at www.lodgemfg.com; 423-837-7181)

*Le Creuset 10" enameled cast iron skillet; $79.95 and All-Clad 10" stainless-steel frypan with aluminum cores ($79.95, both at www.broadwaypanhandler.com; 866-COOKWARE)

Plastics

Plastic, especially vinyl PVC [#3], water bottles, containers and wraps (Saran, Reynolds), can release toxic adipates and phthalates into food and water when heated.

Plastic is also made of petroleum, a nonrenewable resource that is difficult to recycle, doesn't biodegrade and accounts for almost 20 pounds of solid waste per American annually.

Safer Alternatives:

*Glad, non-PVC cling wrap

*Bottles and containers that are not made with PVC [#3], polystyrene [#6] (which can leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen) and polycarbonate [#7] (which can leach bisphenol-A, a hormone disruptor). Avoid reusing single-use bottles; research at the University of Idaho indicates that disposable PET plastic containers may leach adipates. Instead, choose hard plastic such as Nalgene's Go-Bottle; although made of #7 plastic, it shows minimal leaching. Never drink from anything that smells like plastic.

*Never heat food in takeout containers.

*Although some plastic containers are approved as microwave-safe by the FDA, we prefer Pyrex glass or lead-free ceramic oven ware. (For a list of safer plastics for food and water, see thegreenguide.com.)