It’s Tuesday, and that means another article from our friends at Naturalpath. Today, they’ve shared an article with us on Teflon-coated cookware (original publication here), and its potential health and environmental threats. According to the article,

Far from your kitchen, the chemicals used to manufacture Teflon are also very persistent in the environment. Toxic chemicals released when cooking with Teflon-coated cookware can find their way into the air, water, soil, and our bodies. A 2005 study by the Environmental Working Group, in collaboration with Commonweal, found chemicals including perflourooctanoic acid (or PFOA), a known carcinogen, in the umbilical cord blood of US-born infants. Similarly, researchers at John Hopkins Medical Center released findings in 2006 that PFOA was present in umbilical cord blood of 99% of 300 newborns tested. Also, households with birds should note that Teflon fumes pose a particular hazard to their delicate systems.

Naturalpath points to other potential problems with Teflon, some safer alternatives, and, as always, provides a comprehensive list of resources.

With the weather getting warmer in most of the US, many of us are looking forward to a steak, hot dog or veggie burger hot off the grill. If you're planning on firing up the barbie this weekend, here are a few tips for lowering the impact of that flame-cooked meal:

• While nothing beats charcoal for flavor, gas and electric grills are the top choices for energy-efficiency and cost.
• If you can't live without that charcoal flavor, look for all-natural briquettes (made from plant materials) or wood briquettes that come from sustainably-produced wood sources. You may have to dig a bit: these are easier to find in countries other than the US.
• Avoid the quick-light charcoal, or lighter fluid: chimney or electric starters work just as well or better, and don't produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Choose greener foods to throw on the grill: organic or locally-produced meats, or even meatless options. Fresh vegetables are wonderful grilled out.
• When cleaning the grill, avoid toxic cleaners: vinegar and a little elbow grease work wonders!

Got other tips for green grilling? Do share! Thanks to Thriftyfun.com and the Green Guide (a GO advertiser) for the great information.