You don’t want to be stuck with this.
Last year, US poison centers reported 267 suspected cases of polymer fume fever, a rare, flu-like illness from inhaling fumes from an overheated nonstick pan.
Also known as “Teflon flu,” a nod to the trademarked name of the popular nonstick coating, the 2023 cases are believed to be among the highest reported totals since 2000, according to the Washington Post.
Here’s everything you need to know about this unusual condition.
Forever chemicals and dangerous fumes
Teflon and many other nonstick pans are made with polytetrafluoroethylene (also known as PTFE), which falls in the larger category of PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances).
They are known as “forever chemicals” because they can take hundreds — or even thousands — of years to break down.
The coating of the nonstick pan can degrade when it’s heated above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, emitting vapors that fuel “Teflon flu.”
Zachary Hudson, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of British Columbia, explains to the Washington Post, “It’ll burn and release a very complex mix of oxidized, fluorinated substances. This is why they tell you: Don’t heat your Teflon pan to a high temperature.”
In one German study, researchers recorded the PFAS emissions from heating empty nonstick pans for 30 minutes. The higher the temperatures, the higher the emissions.
“There is no risk to human health at normal application temperatures,” the researchers wrote in their findings.
A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spokesperson told The Washington Post the agency is unaware of any research showing that PFAS used in nonstick cookware “presents 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 a fever, muscle pain, shortness of breath and a headache.
The symptoms, which are temporary, generally start within 12 hours of exposure but can take up to 24 hours to develop.
Experts believe the illness may be drastically underreported as people confuse their symptoms with the common cold or flu.
An average of nine cases a year were reported to US poison control centers between 2006 and 2012, according to government data.
Bird flu?
Birds are acutely sensitive to toxic fumes, which is why canaries were used to detect carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases in coal mines.
The fumes from overheating a PTFE-coated pan can be lethal to them. Teflon’s manufacturer advises bird owners to keep them out of the kitchen while cooking.
How to use nonstick pans
- Don’t preheat your nonstick pan. Empty pans reach high temps more rapidly. Avoid preheating and always warm pans with food, butter or oil.
- Don’t broil. Makers of PTFE-containing nonstick pans, such as Calphalon, say the cookware is oven-safe up to 450 or 500 degrees Fahrenheit, making broiling or high-heat baking a no-go.
- Circulate air. When cooking with a nonstick pan, use an exhaust fan and/or open windows. Air circulation reduces the likelihood of smoke inhalation.
- Don’t use stainless steel or hard utensils on nonstick pans. Experts recommend using wood, silicon or nylon utensils to prevent scratching.
Is it safe to use a scratched nonstick pan?
Australian research finds that a single scratch on a pan coated with Teflon can release as many as 9,100 plastic particles.
However, it’s believed that inhaling the fumes from an overheated PTFE-treated pan is more dangerous than ingesting the coating because PTFE travels through our bodies without being absorbed.
Still, experts say that when your PTFE-treated pan shows signs of scratching, peeling or flaking, you should trade it in.
PFAS can persist in the human body and cause a host of health problems, including increasing the risk of kidney and testicular cancers.
People are exposed to these man-made chemicals by consuming contaminated water or food, using products made with them or breathing air containing them.
Where can you find PFAS-free cookware?
Shopping for nonstick pans can be tough.
Some manufacturers advertise that their products are free of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), but that’s just one of several thousand PFAS.
Experts advise consumers to look for brands that proclaim to be free of all PFAS or fluorinated compounds.
Your best bet may be to avoid nonstick altogether, choosing cast iron, stainless steel or ceramic options instead.
