Non-stick cookware contains perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a synthetic chemical used in production that creates a soap-like slipperiness and non-stick finish.

Once heated, non-stick pans will quickly reach temperatures at which toxic fumes release into the air. And it doesn't take much heat to do this -- the coating begins to break down and release toxins at a temperature of only 446° F.

So why is PFOA so dangerous?

In animal studies, PFOA posed health hazards like:

• Serious changes in organs including the brain, prostate, liver, thymus, and kidneys, showing toxicity.
• Death of several rat pups due to PFOA exposure.
• Changes in the pituitary in female rats, at all doses. The pituitary controls growth, reproduction, and many metabolic functions. Changes in the size of the pituitary indicate toxicity.
• PFOA has been associated with tumors in at least four different organs in animal tests, and has been implicated in an increase in prostate cancer in PFOA plant workers.

In a CDC study, PFOA was detected in close to 98% of the population. Research also detected PFOA in 100% of the newborns examined.

Though not necessarily related to PFOA, non-stick cookware has already been implicated in increased instances of cancer in the pancreas, liver, testicles, and mammary glands, as well as miscarriages, thyroid problems, weakened immune systems, and low organ weights.

So, we'd recommend being very careful about regular use of non-stick cookware. If you haven't already done it, it could be time to throw it out.

This ceramic cookware set does not contain Teflon or any other non-stick brand using PFOA. The benefits of it are:

• Non-reactive -- no chemicals, toxins, or gases are produced while cooking
• Resists carry-over tastes and odors -- even highly acidic foods (like tomatoes) will not stain your cookware surface or be absorbed into other foods.
• Produces a far-infrared heating process -- a penetrating heat process that cooks your food from both the inside and outside at the same time.
• Contains no lead, cadmium, aluminum, copper, nickel, chromium, iron, or any other heavy metals.
• No trace metals or chemical leaching from the cooking surface, both potentially affecting taste and your health.
• Is dishwasher safe.
• Lightweight - so much easier to handle than enamelled cast-iron pans.

What about aluminium and stainless steel pans ?

Aluminum is a causal factor suspect in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aluminum is a "reactive" metal, meaning that it reacts with salty or acidic foods to release itself into your food. Dietary sources of aluminum include cookware, containers, foil, and utensils. You can also face exposure to aluminum when the non-stick surface chips off a coated aluminum pan.

Stainless steel is not a completely inert metal either. All stainless steel has alloys containing nickel, chromium, molybdenum, carbon, and various other metals. In a study conducted on heart patients receiving stainless steel stents, restenosis occurred in 50% of patients. Allergies to the nickel and molybdenum in the stainless steel were suspected causal factors.

While this study is clearly not cooking-related, it is certainly possible that cooking with stainless steel, clad or not, may increase the likelihood that metals will leach into your food. This is especially true if the cookware becomes pitted due to extended use or storage of acidic foods. For those with nickel allergies, it could be a particularly concerning problem.

Once you realize the potential risks of that aluminum and stainless steel are reactive, and that copper may be risky as well, isn't it time you switched to the best non-toxic cookware we've found to date -- Mercola Ceramcor Cookware?

This unique ceramic cookware is extremely durable for the following reasons:.

• Made of lightweight ceramic 100% inorganic materials -- this innovative non-reactive material is the key element in cookware longevity
• You can't scratch the cooking surface -- even when cooking with metal utensils and cleaning with industrial steel wool
• You don't have to be concerned about damage due to meltdown of the cookware -- helps reduce risk of stove damage and fire
• Cookware can withstand very high temperatures (2700° F) -- steel melts at 2200° F
• Cookware surface will never flake off into your food
• Cleaning is easy -- making it more likely that your cookware lasts a lifetime

The set consists of:

• 16cm open skillet with handle (1 piece)
• 25cm skillet/Braiser with short handles and cover (2 pieces)
• 1.4 litre saucepan with cover (2 pieces)
• 4 litre sauce pot with cover (2 pieces)
• 19cm silicone trivet (1 piece)
• Silicone pot holders (2 pieces)
• Kitchen tool set (6 pieces)

Ideal for replacing your potentially toxic metallic cookware or an ideal gift for anyone starting a new home.