Chemical Used in Teflon Non-Stick Cookware Linked to Heart DiseaseElizabeth Renter Also, those with higher PFOA, had a 78 percent higher risk of peripheral heart diseasewhere arteries narrow and harden. Researchers say there is no hard evidence that the PFOA causes heart diseases or otherwise increases someones risk, merely that the conditions co-exist. What we are finding is that high levels of PFOA and cardiovascular disease coexisted for some reason. That is all, said lead author Dr. Anoop Shgankar with the West Virginia University School of Public Health. It is possible that we are seeing something that is just a bystander and is there because of confounding associations. So, if something causes mutations in cells, as in cancer, wouldnt it make sense that it could lead to a whole host of other health concerns? Along with the increasingly well-known knowledge that the toxic fumes emitted from non-stick cookware can make a bird drop dead if its in the same room, PFOA has also been shown to cause conditions such aslow birth weight and organ-specific oxidative DNA damage. But PFOA is still found in some non-stick pansits the coating that allows people to use less oil. And with 98 percent of Americans walking around with PFOA in their bodies, its definitely something to be concerned about. What can you do? If you havent already, stop using non-stick pans. Cast iron is a far better choice, and will last a lifetime. Additional Sources: Explore More: This article first appeared at Natural Society, an excellent resource for health news and vaccine information. 