Is Teflon Safe?
Teflon must have seemed like a dream for a 60s housewife who got stuck scrubbing pots and pans by hand. Developed by Dupont in the 1930s, Teflon has been a staple in kitchens ever since it was released in 1961. However, in recent years there has been cause for concern about the use of Teflon.
The chemical used to make Teflon is called perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA. In 2006, an EPA advisory board of 17 scientists unanimously recommended that PFOA be labeled a "likely carcinogen" (carcinogens cause cancer) in humans. Uh oh...
The EPA requested that DuPont and other companies that use PFOA in manufacturing processes to cease using it. DuPont agreed to ensure that by the chemical would not be released into the environment from its manufacturing plants by 2015, but DuPont did not agree to stop making Teflon or stop using Teflon at all. They claim to be looking for a way to make Teflon without using PFOA, but they also say that there is no risk in using Teflon pans. The EPA even agrees.
However, when high temperatures are reached, Teflon is known to give off a whopping FIFTEEN types of toxic particles and gases. These chemicals are poison to birds and in humans they can cause headaches, chills, backache, and fever. This is called polymer fume fever or fluoropolymer fever, but can also be referred to as Teflon flu.
DuPont has even admitted that these things can happen! They say that it doesn't happen when Teflon is used normally, only when it reaches high temperatures.
Even though the EPA says there's no risk in using Teflon pans, I find this information really disturbing and I think they should be avoided. There is still a lot more research to be done on the safety of Teflon.
Some alternatives to Teflon pans are glass, Pyrex, ceramic, and cast iron. Stainless steel isn't a great option because aluminum can leach into your food.
If you still want to hang on to your Teflon pots and pans, here's how to use them safely:
- Don't let the pan get too hot. Make sure temperatures do not get hotter than 450 degrees, and don't leave your pans unattended while on the burner.
- Don’t use metal utensils on nonstick cookware because it scan scratch the surface.
- Don't use Brillo Pads or other steel wool to wash your Teflon pans. Use nonabrasive sponges.
- Keep your pet birds out of the kitchen.