Teflon Poisoning: The Danger In Your Kitchen
⚠️ The Risk of Teflon Products to Your Health
Tests undertaken by the Environmental Working Group determined that pans on the stove have the potential to produce toxins within only minutes of heating that can cause "flu-like polymer fever in humans."
🚨 Immediate Health Concerns
🔥 Self-Cleaning Ovens
Self-cleaning ovens are lined with PTFE (Teflon) and reach 900 degrees Fahrenheit during the self-cleaning cycle and emit gasses into the air that can cause respiratory issues in humans and are known to kill pet birds in minutes.
🍲 Slow Cookers & Other Appliances
Slow cookers with a metal interior frequently also have non-stick (Teflon) coating. Healthier choices would be pots made of ceramic, stainless steel, or other safe metal.
⚡ Immediate Symptoms of Polymer Fever
- • Flu-like symptoms
- • Respiratory irritation
- • Headaches
- • Fever and chills
- • Chest tightness
Note: These symptoms can occur within minutes of overheating Teflon cookware
✅ Safer Cookware Alternatives
Premium Non-Toxic Options
🍳 Scanpans
Expensive, but wonderful pans. They are free of PFOA - although they do use small quantities of PTFE-based substances, which are not dangerous (even to pet birds) unless a pan is totally melting due to being left on the range at 600 to 800 degrees without food to pass the heat. These pans are usually available in better kitchen stores or can be procured over the Internet.
🌿 GreenPan Cookware
Utilizes a 100% PTFE-free non-stick technology called Thermalon, which not only allows for flawless oil-free cooking but is also completely free from the toxins that can be released by other non-stick cookware.
Other Safer Choices
Ceramic
Natural, non-toxic surface
Cuisinart GreenGourmet
Eco-friendly coating
Stainless Steel
Durable, chemical-free
📋 Immediate Action Steps
- 1. Check your cookware for non-stick coatings and replace Teflon items
- 2. Avoid using self-cleaning oven cycles, especially if you have pet birds
- 3. Never heat non-stick pans beyond medium temperature
- 4. Ensure good kitchen ventilation when cooking
- 5. Gradually replace with safer cookware alternatives
🚨 If You Experience Polymer Fever
- • Remove yourself from the area immediately
- • Get fresh air
- • If symptoms persist, seek medical attention
- • Contact Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222