<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Hi Norbert:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>I’ve been trying to do a bit of research quickly on the internet about the toxicity of Teflon. The only thing that I can find so far is,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN>‘There is one known health hazard associated with Teflon, inhalation of fumes produced during degradation of the coating. Temporary flue-like symptoms (known as polymer fume fever) can occur when the fumes from overheated fluoropolymers are inhaled. Typically the fluoropolymer coating would have to be heated to an excess of 500°F to begin to deteriorate. Fumes are not typically given off until the fluoropolymer significantly decomposes (660°F). Fats, butter, and cooking oil tend to scorch and smoke at only 400°F. When used properly Teflon® non-stick products are safe.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span lang=EN>DuPont states “Teflon® cookware is formulated and quality tested to resist peeling or chipping, which will only occur if cookware is misused. However, in the event that particles from Teflon® cookware are accidentally eaten, there is no danger. These particles are non-toxic. If eaten, they pass directly through the body and are not absorbed. The FDA has stated that eating Teflon® particles does not pose a health hazard”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="http://www.plastechcoatings.com/teflon_misconceptions.html">http://www.plastechcoatings.com/teflon_misconceptions.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>As you can see from above, Dupont claims that the particles are non-toxic, and would pass through the body unabsorbed if eaten. They are, of course, an interested party. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Still, unless your piano catches on fire and you choose to remain in the house while it is burning, there seems to be little risk that your action will function like cookware and poison you. (I’d still keep the hot dogs off the hammers anyway). It also seems quite unlikely that the Teflon will become airborne and migrate from the knuckles to your customers lungs. Nor is it likely that the players skin will come directly in contact with the Teflon. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>In that context, it is fair to conclude that the risk to your customer is all but non-existent. The burden of proof seems to be with the other technician to show HOW the Teflon in your action could bring harm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Now, the Teflon in the Steinway piano is another matter. But that turned out to be poisonous to the playing, but not the player.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Will Truitt<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Ryan Sowers<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, March 30, 2012 12:08 PM<br><b>To:</b> excelpianos@telus.net; pianotech@ptg.org<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [pianotech] teflon<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hi Norbert,<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>-<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I'm not aware of many instances where the PTG takes an official stand on things like this. I can say that ex president of PTG, Fern Henry's  husband Bill Spurlock (author of the PACE technical program)  has sold Teflon powder to technicians for around 20 years. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>-<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>There are a number of spray products that contain Teflon, then there are the Teflon powders. I have found the powder to be a fairly benign product to use on the piano. I use it sparingly on keybeds and hammer knuckles. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>-<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>I don't use the sprays much these days, because most of the time I'm in people's homes and the fumes are a problem. The problem I see with sprays, is they tend to go places where you didn't intend. That being said, I have had good success in the past using McLube dry Teflon spray on keypins and keyframes. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>-<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>On the other hand...<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>-<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>The <i>manufacturing </i>of Teflon is another story. And the reality is many of the chemicals ultimately end up in our blood streams. Perhaps this is the angle that has the person in question concerned about the product. <a href="http://eartheasy.com/article_teflon_toxicity.htm">http://eartheasy.com/article_teflon_toxicity.htm</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>-<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>How many "wonder products" of the past have turned out to be a very bad idea? The reality is there are many tens of thousands of chemicals circulating around our environment that didn't exist 50 years ago. To think we understand all the consequences and interactions that take place is seriously naive. It's all a big experiment. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>-<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Ryan Sowers<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>-<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>On Sat, Mar 31, 2012 at 8:32 AM, Heritage Pianos <<a href="mailto:excelpianos@telus.net">excelpianos@telus.net</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Hi there:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Wondering if there is an offical position by the PTG</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>wether the use of teflon as lubricant in piano actions</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>is considered a safe substance</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>A local technician has recently made claims to the contrary</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>and warned other members of the local PTG to use Teflon.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Thank you very much</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Norbert Marten</span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><br><br clear=all><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>-- <br>Ryan Sowers, RPT<br>Puget Sound Chapter<br>Olympia, WA<br><a href="http://www.pianova.net">www.pianova.net</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></body></html>