Briana McMorris

The type with non-stick surfaces have recently come under fire for using a material that, when heated to a certain temperature, creates toxic fumes that are lethal to birds and poisonous to humans. As a result, green cookware products are increasing in popularity, of which cast iron is one example.

BPA is an estrogen-mimicking compound. If the levels of this compound in a person are above the safety level, it can disrupt the natural function of the person's own hormones, leading to negative health effects. Some of the harmful effects of exposure to bisphenol A may include an increased risk of breast cancer, increased obesity, brain developmental effects in infants and children among many others.

They can grow, depending on the soil conditions and climates, from two to three feet in a day at their maximum rate of growth. If one is looking for a replenishable, natural material for everyday use, bamboo is an ideal material. It is a renewable product with thousands of uses for your home and kitchen, including cookware.