Teflon Flu: Understanding The Risks Of Overheated Non-Stick Pans

Gone are the days of using traditional cookware. With modern advances and inventions, non-stick or Teflon-coated pans or cookware have become popular and are used widely in modern-day kitchens. Commonly known by its brand name Teflon, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer used in non-stick cookware. People prefer these pans due to their benefits which include easy cooking and cleaning without sticking, reduction in excess oil requirement, lightweight, no rust or corrosion, and even heat distribution for the heat-diffusing bottom. However, along with the benefits come several potential risks, which can’t be ignored.

What is Teflon flu?
Teflon flu otherwise known as polymer flu is a set of flu-like symptoms caused by inhaling fumes from heated Teflon or non-stick coatings on pans. People claim to experience such symptoms after getting exposed to heated PTFE.

What are the symptoms of Teflon flu?
The symptoms of Teflon flu include fever, chills, headache, coughing, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, muscle pain, joint pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest constriction.

How long does Teflon flu last?
Teflon flu is a temporary condition without any serious consequences or long-term effects. The symptoms of Teflon flu usually develop within 4-8 hours after exposure to Teflon fumes and resolve within 24-48 hours without any serious consequences. A few cases could require extra time for complete recovery. However, prolonged exposure to high concentrations of Teflon fumes may trigger severe health issues.

• It is crucial to remember that repeated prolonged exposure to Teflon fumes may trigger severe health consequences. It may cause respiratory issues or even organ damage.
• It is advisable to consult a doctor and get medical attention if a person experiences persistent or severe symptoms.

What are the causes of Teflon flu?
Inhalation of fumes from heated Teflon or PTFE non-stick coatings causes polymer fume fever or Teflon flu.

Reasons

1. Teflon releases harmful fumes when exposed to high heat.
2. Leaving Teflon cookware on high heat or accidentally scratching the non-stick surface with metal utensils damages the Teflon coating thus releasing toxic fumes.
3. Workers engaged in manufacturing units, using PTFE or laboratory settings come in contact with the fumes and inhale them.
4. Burning or heating Teflon products, like upholstery, clothing or cookware can release toxic fumes.
5. Poor ventilation in kitchens, factories, or laboratories makes people vulnerable to toxic fumes.
6. Inadequate safety measures while being vulnerable to PTFE increases the chances of inhaling the toxic fumes.
7. Safe usage of Teflon products must be prioritized to ensure safety. Safe product use, proper ventilation, and safety measures while working with PTFE or Teflon are crucial.

What fumes come from non-stick pans?
The non-stick pans coated with Teflon (PTFE) may release various fumes when heated. The fumes include:

1. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
2. Perfluorooctane acid (PFOS)
3. Fluoropolymers
4. Furan

Along with the fumes, it may release tiny particles of non-stick coating breakdown and volatile organic compounds which may cause respiratory issues.

There are a lot of tips being given to handle this issue. Some even suggest that a variant of Teflon is not as harmful. However, considering the flip-flops on various topics in the past including low-fat food and cholesterol consumers may not feel confident or trust the advice. It seems going back to traditional cookware is a safer and better option. Why take unnecessary risks with health matters? Teflon cookware is not any less maintenance cookware either requiring so much effort to take care of them.