[pianotech] Teflon

[Douglas Gregg]

Joe,
I am not sure where you are finding your information on Teflon. As
long as you don't heat it (as in a fry pan) over 440 degrees F, it is
quite safe. Teflon is used extensively in medical implants because it
has bee shown to be completely non-reactive in the body.

As a pathologist, I have never seen or heard of any cases of
inhalation pneumonitis resulting from Teflon powder inhalation.

I did a Medline search just to see if there were any reports of
pneumonitis from the use or production of Teflon powder. I got zero
hits. Clearly, I am not recommending snorting Teflon powder, but in
normal daily use with reasonable care, it is safe.

The only hits on google are from this PTG forum. That is embarrassing.

Douglas Gregg
Classic Piano Doc
Veterinary pathologist- retired

Message: 5
Date: Sun, 26 Aug 2012 21:18:37 -0400
From: Joe Wiencek <joespiano at gmail.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Teflon
Message-ID: <A1E33FFD-D1D2-45D5-AF19-9DBFF5521282 at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

I don't think you can bring up this subject enough.  I don't believe
the manufacturer is the best source to trust on the safety of ANY
chemical or food product.  It's not in their commercial interest. The
form that piano technicians use most, the microfine teflon powder, or
any fine powder for that matter can settle in the lungs and be
extremely difficult to remove.

If you want to understand how fluoride became ubiquitous in dental
health and municipal water supplies all over, do a bit of research on
weapons manufacturers that had a very nasty and toxic by-product they
didn't know how to dispose of.  But don't go to the ADA or mainstream
media for that info, because you won't find it there.

Joe Wiencek