You don’t want to get bogged down in this.
Last year, U.S. poison centers reported 267 suspected cases. Polymer Fume HeatIt’s a rare, flu-like illness caused by inhaling fumes from an overheated Teflon frying pan.
Also known as Teflon flu, named after the trademarked name of a popular non-stick coating, the 2,023 cases are believed to be the highest number of reported cases since 2000. According to the Washington Post.
Here’s everything you need to know about this unusual condition.
Everlasting chemicals and dangerous fumes
Teflon and many other non-stick pans It is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (also known as PTFE) and falls into the larger category of PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl compounds).
These are known as “forever chemicals” because they can take hundreds, or even thousands, of years to break down.
The coating on Teflon pans can deteriorate when heated above 500 degrees Fahrenheit and release steam that causes “Teflon cold.”
Zachary Hudson“When a Teflon pan burns, it releases a very complex mixture of oxidized fluorine compounds, which is why people say you shouldn’t heat a Teflon pan to high temperatures,” An associate professor of chemistry at the University of British Columbia explained to The Washington Post.
In one German studyThe researchers recorded PFAS emissions when they heated an empty Teflon frying pan for 30 minutes. The higher the temperature, the higher the emissions.
“At normal operating temperatures there is no risk to human health,” the researchers wrote in their findings.
A spokesperson for the US Food and Drug Administration told The Washington Post that the agency is not aware of any studies that suggest PFAS used in non-stick cookware “pose a safety concern for consumers.”
All substances used in “food contact products” are subject to rigorous scientific review by FDA scientists, the spokesperson assured.
What is polymer fume fever and how common is it?
Polymer fume fever is typically characterized by fever, muscle aches, shortness of breath, and headache.
Symptoms are temporary and usually begin within 12 hours of infection, but can take up to 24 hours to develop.
Experts believe the illness may be grossly under-reported because people are confusing the symptoms with a cold or flu.
Between 2006 and 2012, an average of nine cases were reported per year to poison control centers in the United States. According to government data.
Avian influenza?
Because birds are highly sensitive to poisonous gases, canaries were used in coal mines to detect carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases.
The fumes released by overheating a PTFE coated pan can be deadly to them. The manufacturers of Teflon advise: Bird owners should make sure to keep birds out of the kitchen when cooking.
How to use a nonstick frying pan
- Do not preheat the Teflon pan. An empty pan will heat up faster, so avoid preheating and always heat the pan with food, butter or oil in it.
- Do not burn. Manufacturers of PTFE-containing nonstick pans, such as Calphalon, say their cookware is oven-safe up to 450 or 500 degrees Fahrenheit, but not for searing or baking at high temperatures.
- Allows air to circulate. If you cook with a nonstick pan, use an exhaust fan or open a window. Air circulation will reduce the chance of inhaling fumes.
- Do not use stainless steel or hard cookware with nonstick pans. Experts recommend using wooden, silicone, or nylon utensils to prevent scratches.
Is it safe to use a scratched Teflon pan?
Australian Studies It turns out that a single scratch on a Teflon-coated frying pan can release up to 9,100 plastic particles.
However, if a PTFE-coated frying pan is overheated, inhaling the fumes is thought to be more dangerous than ingesting the coating. PTFE circulates throughout the body without being absorbed.
Still, experts say that if your PTFE-coated pan shows signs of scratching, peeling or flaking, it should be replaced.
PFAS persist in the human body and can cause a variety of health problems, including an increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer.
People are exposed to these man-made chemicals through ingestion. Contaminated water or the use of foods or products made from them, or the inhalation of air containing them.
Where can I get PFAS-free cookware?
Buying a nonstick frying pan It may be tough.
Some manufacturers advertise their products as free of perfluorooctanoic acid, but this is just one of thousands of PFAS.
Experts advise consumers to look for brands that claim to be free of PFAS, or fluorinated compounds.
The best bet Avoid non-stick coatings completely. cast ironInstead, choose stainless steel or ceramic options.
