"Champion against Teflon" > wrote in
ups.com:

> Michel,

Hmmmm...there's that correct spelling again! :-)

> Let me ask you a question. You seem to be a very intelligent
> person with good sense of reasoning. So I'd like to bring this to
> a civil discussion.

Ok, so let's do that.

> What piece of evidence do you believe makes "Teflon" safe?

I have no "piece of evidence" to that effect. Satisfied? :-)

> Here is
> why I'm asking. I'm not claiming Teflon is lethal. I'm also not
> saying we should live in a bubble. But I truly felt like I had
> been poisoned a few days ago.

I thought I had the flu a few days ago...turned out to be exhaustion.

> So let's use deductive reasoning.
> Here were my symptoms: fever, backache, diarrhea, stomach pains,
> chills, severe headache, mental fogginess. Are these the symptoms
> of regular flu?

Actually, yes. I had those very same symptoms, except for the severe
headache. I never get severe headaches.

> Also, have you ever tested any of your cookware for Teflon
> remnants in food?

No. And I don't think it's worth my time to do that. And you
haven't had any tested by an independent laboratory either. So,
let's not go there.

> My final question: typically if something bad happens to someone,
> it's not human nature to "reattack" the person.

Ah? Really? You're not a habitué of this newsgroup then, are you?
If you were, you wouldn't ask that.

As it stands, I did not attack you but merely pointed out that your
letter of interest (for want of a better term) is simply one among
many. Within a short space of time, another may be posted with no
reference to you to say that stainless steel is deleterious to the
public's health and that people should use teflon coated cooking
ware. None of the arguments brought forth during these many debates
we have had over the years are based on unbiased scientific
observation. In fact, most are easily refutable to all here except
to the person who brings the matter forth. So. There you have it.

> So my question:
> why does it bring out such ugly qualities in people when I try to
> share my story? Isn't the 'best experiment' the actual use by
> humans? i think the ONLY reason most people don't think teflon can
> make them sick is because they are so used to getting the flu or
> cold each season. Thing is, I've not contracted the flu or cold
> for about 2 years. I've even been in contact with someone with the
> flu a few months back and shook his hand as a "test". My immune
> system is very strong. That's why I can legitimately have a bit
> more confidence.

Your method is, as was pointed out elsewhere, anecdotal. The flu is
most contagious before the declaration of symptoms. Once the
symptoms are visible (i.e. you know this person has the flu) the
communicability is seriously reduced. Q.E.D.

So, should you ever be able to point to solid scientific data, please
return and I will take a serious look at it.

In the meantime, may I suggest that you refrain from overheating
teflon pots and pans.

--

"Compassion is the chief law of human existence."

Dostoevski, The Idiot