Question

Identify and contrast the major environmental impacts for Teflon between the manufacture and use phases of a Teflon cooking pan. Is Teflon or BPA (bisphenol A) a greater risk to human health in consumer products during the manufacture, use, and disposal phase?

Answer 1

Teflon is the name of the plastic material known as polytetrafluroethylene(PTFE). Teflon has a high melting point and a low electrical conductivity that makes it electrical insulator.It is a polymer which is made up of different units.Production of Teflon first contaminates land, air and soil where it is being processed.Since the plastic is non-degradable it causes havoc in the water bodies and pollution in the air.PTFE is non toxic(as what is thought to be) but its byproducts are very toxic.Many workers in such kind of factories suffered from polymer fumed fever by inhaling toxic gases.As teflon is used for coating utensils to make them non- stick. At a normal cooking temperature, they releases certain amount of gases that are not that much of toxic.It is being discovered that a toxic name PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid )is being used in the manufacture of teflon which is being released while higher cooking temperatures is dangerous to human health.

yes it is a greater risk to human health in consumer products during manufacture , use and disposal phase.It cannot be degraded which make it more difficult to be ecofriendly.Accumulation of this in our environment and life is inducing a great risk for our health as well as polluting our environment.