Teflon Flu: Learn How to Use Non-Stick Cookware Safely
Contamination from nonstick pans can cause flu-like symptoms known as Teflon flu. Learn the dos and don’ts of cooking with nonstick pans! Cooking with nonstick pans can make cooking easier, but can cause teflon flu.
Modern kitchens are equipped with modern appliances, and nonstick cookware has become a versatile addition to our kitchens. These appliances help you cook perfect scrambled eggs or sunny omelets, and cleaning them is as hassle-free as cooking in them. But did you know that the fumes from nonstick pans can make you sick? The Teflon flu, also known as polymer cigarette fever, is expected to hospitalize 250 Americans in 2023. If you don’t know what to do and don’t know when to cook with nonstick pans, keep reading.
What is Teflon?
Teflon is a synthetic compound called polytetrafluoroethylene, containing carbon and fluorine. It is this substance that makes the surface of the special material non-stick and frictionless, making it easier for people to cook.
What causes Teflon flu?
As the name suggests, your Teflon cookware can make you more susceptible to this disease if used incorrectly. When we overheat or scratch a Teflon pan, the chemicals in the process will break down. Medical expert Dr Roohi Pirzada explains that when the cookware is heated, these chemicals are released into the air and breathing these contaminants can cause symptoms like the common cold.
The non-stick coating is made of a “forever chemical” that can’t be broken down and gets deep into your body when eaten. There’s no clear evidence as to why this happens, but it may be due to irritation from the chemicals in the lungs, which can cause flu-like symptoms.
Teflon Flu Symptoms
Teflon symptoms usually appear a few hours after exposure, but can last up to 24 hours. Some teflon flu symptoms include:
- Cough
- Chills and fever
- Tight chest
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Muscle and joint pain
Why do nonstick pans illness?
Non Stick pans coated with PTEE (also known as Teflon) are considered safe to use. However, this is only a concern if the pan heats above 500 degrees Fahrenheit. At these temperatures, the coating on some nonstick pans begins to break down and begin releasing a mixture of oxidized fluorinated chemicals into the air.
If you’re constantly breathing in toxins from secondhand smoke, you’re putting your health at greater risk. To prevent this, people should not heat the Teflon pan to high temperatures. Also, do not preheat the non-stick pan because the non-stick pan will reach high temperatures in a short time. Therefore, always heat a pot that has food, sugar or oil in it.
Who is at greatest risk for Teflon Flu?
Workers working in metal welding facilities or industries are at greater risk if they do not wear masks or have the necessary protective equipment to reduce fumes. During welding operations, they come into contact with various metals such as iron, copper, aluminum, and tin.
Also, people who overheat PTEE (Teflon) coated cookware are more likely to catch Teflon flu. Therefore, in order to protect themselves from this disease, people should not be exposed to fumes from the source itself.
Precautions to keep in mind while using non-stick pans
Keeping in mind the risks of cooking with non-stick pans, the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has released an update to its Health Guidelines for India. One important tip is to encourage the use of ground ingredients as it is the best cooking option. Cooking in earthen pots uses less oil, is eco-friendly and helps preserve the nutritional value of food. There are also certain points to remember while cooking with non-stick cookware for your safety, says Dr. Roohi Pirzada:
1. Do not preheat an empty pan
Non-stick pans tend to emit harmful fumes when heated to high temperatures without the use of oil to protect their non-stick coating. You should add fuel, water or food before turning on the oven. Oiling a non-stick surface not only helps maintain its non-stick properties, it also extends the life of your pan.
2. Avoid cooking on high heat
Start your pan on low to medium heat and slowly let the nonstick pan rise to the desired cooking temperature. Nonstick cookware will break down quickly if exposed to high temperatures. A nonstick pan can reach a maximum cooking temperature of 260 degrees Celsius or 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, do not use nonstick pans for slow cooking or applications where dishes will be exposed to heat for long periods of time.
3. Do not use steel spatulas
The layer of non-stick pans is very fragile and too much friction on the surface will cause it to deteriorate. Also, do not use sharp kitchen utensils such as metal spoons, forks, whisks, spatulas, tongs or knives. The basic rule is not to use metal objects inside the pan as they can scratch and puncture the non-stick coating. Keep only round objects such as wooden spoons, silicone spatulas, and even these objects should not be used for cooking. The gentler you use your cookware, the better the results will be.
4. Let the pan cool down before cleaning
It is not recommended to put the pot directly into the sink immediately after cooking. Let the pot cool down slowly on the stove or place it somewhere else. If you suddenly put the hot pot into the tap water in the sink, the rapid change in temperature of the electronic equipment will damage the coating.
5. Do not put the pot in the dishwasher
Dishwashers are undoubtedly very useful, but when your cookware is exposed to hot and powerful dishwashers, the non-stick coating can deteriorate. It is always recommended to wash your dishes in the sink and dry them with a soft cloth or paper towel.