Non-stick pans are one of the most popular cookware around the world. The non-stick coating is perfect for cooking delicate food products that otherwise stick to the pan. However, health experts have often warned against the impact of nonstick coatings, such as Teflon.
Some sources claim they’re harmful and linked to health conditions such as cancer, while others insist that cooking with nonstick cookware is completely safe. A recent report by Washington Post has revealed more than 3,600 reports of probable cases of “polymer fume fever.”
Reportedly, it is a flu-like disease connected to a chemical coating found on some nonstick cookware, that have been sent to poison centres in the United States over the last 20 years. The condition is now known as “Teflon Flu”, named after the trademarked name of the popular nonstick coating.
According to America’s Poison Centers, a nonprofit organization, 267 cases of the illness were reported last year. The experts believe that it is believed to be one of the highest reported totals since 2000.
Known as “forever chemicals” Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the ingredient in Teflon and many other nonstick cookware sets is a member of the PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) class of chemicals. Because of their propensity to linger in the environment for thousands or even hundreds of years.
When a non-stick utensil is cooked above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, the coating may break down, releasing fumes that contribute to “Teflon flu.”
In a study in Germany, researchers recorded the PFAS emissions from heating empty non-stick pans for half an hour. They noted that the pan that reached the highest temperature, around 698 degrees Fahrenheit, had the highest emissions, as reported by NDTV. “There is no risk to human health at normal application temperatures,” the researchers wrote in their findings.
Experts warn that non-stick cookware should never be preheated and normal cooking techniques on medium to low heat won’t produce temperatures this high. People who leave a heated non-stick pan alone have been reported to have case reports of polymer fume fever, NDTV reported.
When using non-stick cookware, you should always use exhaust fans or open windows when cooking. Notably, experts also warn against the use of stainless steel or hard utensils on nonstick pans.
Another Australian study revealed that a single scratch on a pan coated with Teflon can produce over nine thousand particles. Consequently, scratched pans should also be avoided at all costs.
If your pan is showing signs of scratching, peeling or flaking, you should discard it as PFAS can stay in the human body and cause several health risks including kidney and testicular cancers.