I was asked to write an article to show you the hidden dangers that lurk in your kitchen. “Oh great”, I thought, a piece about un-plugging toasters before you put a knife in, and a warning to not put metal in the microwave.
However, I was doing some research and was amazed to learn that a kitchen may actually cause cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and can kill caged animals.
To be more precise it is the pans/cookware in your kitchen that are the deadly killer.
Here is a section that I found at iVillage:
Teflon-Coated Cookware
“Fumes from overheated Teflon-coated cookware have been known to kill caged birds. Studies conducted by the Environmental Working Group have shown overheated nonstick pans emit a toxic mixture of chemicals that may cause cancer, birth defects, immune system suppression and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The chemical culprits are fluorine compounds, which are used in water-and stain-repellent coatings on carpets, clothing, ironing boards, ovens and pots and pans.”
So using Teflon may kill our caged animals… oh, and there is also the small matter of cancer. Brilliant! So let’s all just avoid Teflon then? Ah, but before you run off to make some bacon and eggs, I forgot to mention Alzheimer’s 
Aluminum Pots and Pans
“You just ruled out Teflon, now you need to get rid of any aluminum pots and pans because aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. These pans are light, often cheap and are reactive. Storing salty or acidic food in an aluminum pot will pit the surface of the metal and contaminate the food with aluminum. Instead, use clay, stainless steel, ceramic, glass, porcelain or cast-iron cookware. One of the advantages of cast-iron is that it can actually provide small amounts of iron, a necessary nutrient.”
Maybe that explains why I can’t find my car keys.
Seriously though, there is a real issue here: If it wasn’t for the fact that I was researching the dangers of a kitchen, I would never have known about these dangers. In fact, neither would you. If cigarettes have to have a warning on the label, maybe Teflon pans should also come with a warning:
WARNING: THIS PAN IS NON-STICK…. OH, AND IT WILL KILL YOUR PETS!