Metal Casting Zone Info Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Risk’

Cast Iron Cookware – Is it Really a Health Risk

I’m sure you’ve all heard the rumor that cast iron can leak particles of iron into your food, and if you haven’t, I’m going to tell you about it right now. A lot of people have turned away from cast iron cookware in fear that they may be getting iron forced into their system through the meals they fix. People freak out when they hear that metal is being put in their food and quickly buy the first glass pan they can find. You’d probably like me to say next that this is all a lie and that cast iron leaks nothing at all…but then I’d be lying to you.

The great news is that iron is actually good for you! In fact, your body needs iron to produce red blood cells which your body uses to transport oxygen. A lot of people have iron deficiencies, so cooking with cast iron can actually help their bodies function better, not worse. Women who are about to enter menopause may find this quite helpful as their diets usually don’t contain enough of the iron they need. Overall, a little bit of metal may not be that bad.

Iron can be dangerous though for people who have an overabundance of it in their systems. Too much iron can increase a person’s risk of heart disease, increased aging, or even cancer. People who eat a lot of red meat, dried fruit, nuts, or greens may already have a sufficient amount of iron in their bodies. Anyone who has been diagnosed or may be diagnosed with iron overload disease (hemochromatosis) should probably avoid cast iron cookware or use it only in moderation.

You can see why people are a little scared of cast iron cookware. For some it can be great, but for others it can be quite dangerous. So why use cast iron cookware at all? It’s better to be safe than sorry, right? Though this may be true, by eliminating cast iron from your kitchen, you are missing out on some of the most durable and everlasting cookware on the market. Investing in a good cast iron pan is sometimes pricey, but they last forever.

Another way to get the benefits of cast iron cookware while minimizing any issues regarding iron leakage is to choose enameled cast iron. The enamel coating on quality cast iron completely encapsulates that cast iron essentially eliminating the iron contact with your food. But the heat distribution and retention characteristics are totally retained. .

If you choose to use the traditional cast iron, the trick to staying healthy and still eating well is in the seasoning of the iron. You’ll want to choose a piece of cookware that has a pretty smooth surface with few divots or chips in them (you might be surprise at what you can find at garage sales). The smoother the surface, the easier it will be to season and the longer it will last. The oil layer on the outside of the pan will help reduce some of the iron emitted and will also protect the integrity of the piece.

Unless you know that you have too much iron in your system, you should have no reason to worry about cast iron cookware. If you’re still worried about using cast iron, use the enamel alternative which is just as versatile and is available in an array of designer colors.

Cast iron may not be for every occasion but is one of the more versatile options for the kitchen. You should have one or two pieces in yours.

Product Description
Industry Risk Ratings Synopsis

This Industry Risk Ratings report from IBISWorld evaluates the inherent risks associated with the Non-Ferrous Metal Casting in Australia industry. Industry Risk is assumed to be ‘the difficulty, or otherwise, of the business operating environment’.

The report looks at the operational risk associated with this industry. Three types of risk are recognized in our analysis. These are: risk arising from within the industry itself (structural risk), risks arising from the expected future performance of the industry (growth risk) and risk arising from forces external to the industry (external sensitivity risk).

This approach is new in that it analyses non-financial information surrounding each industry. Industries are scored on a 9-point scale, where 1 represents the lowest risk and 9 the highest. The Industry Risk score measures expected Industry Risk over the coming 12-18 months.

Industry Definition

This Class consists of firms mainly engaged in casting or forging non-ferrous metals or alloys. The term non-ferrous is used to indicate metals other than iron and alloys that do not contain an appreciable amount of iron. A key market for these firms is the automotive industry, which makes use of a range of aluminium castings.

Report Contents

Risk Overview

The Risk Overview chapter includes sections on Industry Definition and Activities, Industry Risk Score and Risk Rating Analysis. The Industry Definition and Activities section provides a detailed definition of the activities carried out by operators in this industry as defined in NAICS. A list of the primary activities of the industry is also included. The Industry Risk Score section provides the Overall Industry Risk Score as well as the Risk Scores for each of the three types of risk covered that combine to form the Overall Industry Risk Score. These three types of risk are Structural Risk, Growth Risk and External Sensitivity Risk. The Risk Rating Analysis section discusses the underlying factors contributing to the Overall Industry Risk Score.

Structural Risk

The Structural Risk chapter looks at risk arising from within the industry itself and provides a detailed discussion of the industry’s level of exposure to seven key indicators. These key indicators are Barriers to Entry, Competition, Industry Exports, Industry Imports, Level of Assistance, Life Cycle Stage and Volatility of Industry. The Overall Structural Risk Score is a weighted aggregation of these seven key indicators. Each of the key indicators is discussed in detail in this section.

Growth Risk

The Growth Risk chapter looks at risks arising from the expected future performance of the industry. The Overall Growth Risk Score is determined by amalgamating the scores for Recent Industry Growth and Forecast Industry Growth. Detailed analysis is provided discussing the reasons for the growth scores of both.

Sensitivity Risk

The Sensitivity Risk chapter looks at risks arising from forces (sensitivities) external to the industry. The Overall External Sensitivity Risk Score is determined by identifying the most significant (up to 6) external factors and weighting them to represent how significant each sensitivity is to the performance of the industry. Examples of External Sensitivities are Exchange Rates, Interest Rates, Commodity Prices and Government Regulations. There is also a detailed analysis of the affect each of the sensitivities has on the industry, including charts and data tables where appropriate.

Industry Risk and Industry Risk Scoring Methodology

This chapter provides an overview of how IBISWorld defines Industry Risk and discusses the methodology used to arrive at an Industry Risk Score. There is also a table that provides a definition of the seven levels of Industry Risk.

C2733 – Non-Ferrous Metal Casting in Australia
C2811 – Motor Vehicle Manufacturing in Australia
C2812 – Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in Australia
C2813 – Automotive Electrical and Instrument Manufacturing in Australia
C2819 – Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturing in Australia
C2861 – Agricultural Machinery Manufacturing in Australia
C2862 – Mining and Construction Machinery Manufacturing in Australia
C2863 – Food Processing Machinery Manufacturing in Australia
C2864 – Machine Tool and Part Manufacturing in Australia
C2865 – Lifting and Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing in Australia
C2866 – Pump and Compressor Manufacturing in Australia

Non-Ferrous Metal Casting in Australia – Industry Risk Rating Report