This is for Shawn, who asked about the carcinogenic effect of cooking
food over charcoal...
I just read this today...I'll quote the original article from Delicious!
magazine:
"According to the National Cancer Institute, grilled meat contains
potent carcinogens called heterocyclic aromatic amines that form when
amino acids in meat and creatine, a chemical in muscle tissue, are
heated together at temperatures exceeding 212F. Smoked meat is also
contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, another carcinogen
created when fat from meat drips onto hot coals and sends smoke back up
into the meat. In addition, cooking meat over charcoal emits
air-polluting compounds including hydrocarbons, furans, steroids, and
pesticide residues. Soyfoods, vegetables, and fruit, which don't form
carcinogens when grilled, are much safer choices for summer cookouts."
I hope this eases your worries, Shawn!
------------------------------