There’s a lot of chatter out there right now about “Teflon flu,” an illness you can develop from using pans coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). With that, it’s only natural to wonder what you can do to lower your risk of getting this illness.
If you have pans coated with PTFE at home, Teflon flu is a real risk, according to the National Capital Poison Center. But given that some foods cook better on a non-stick surface, there’s no reason to toss your Teflon pans based on this fear alone. Still, chefs say that there are steps you can take to keep yourself safe in the kitchen when cooking with PTFE-coated pans. Here’s what they recommend, along with some basics on Teflon flu.
What is Teflon flu, exactly?
Teflon flu, which is also called polymer fume fever, is a condition where people get sick after being exposed to fumes from pans coated in PTFE, aka Teflon, the National Capital Poison Center explains.
This can happen when a pan is left on a burner too long and it overheats or goes dry, the organization says. When that happens, airborne particles that contain metallic oxides are released, which can be inhaled, according to the Missouri Poison Center. Teflon flu can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and dry cough. Basically, it can make you feel like you have the flu, but it’s caused by your cookware.
How to lower your risk of Teflon flu
Chefs say there are a few things you can do to lower the risk of Teflon flu if you’re cooking with pans that contain PTFE.
Turn on a vent hood or fan.
This is important “anytime you cook,” says Sisavath Keovilay, PhD, chef and baking and pastry university department chair at Keiser University Center for the Culinary Arts. “It’s always good practice to use a vent hood system due to the smoke point of food and the chemicals used to cook the food,” he adds.
A vent hood is important “to recirculate the air in your kitchen when you are cooking because of the fumes and particulates that are created,” says Shawn Matijevich, lead chef-instructor of online culinary arts and food operations at the Institute of Culinary Education. If you don’t have a vent hood that vents outside, opening a window may help.
Turn your vent hood on early, and keep it running.
Matijevich recommends turning the vent hood on before you begin cooking. “Leave it running until about 20 minutes after you are done to be safe,” he says. This will help clear out any odor or fumes that remain, Keovilay says.
Preheat your pan properly
You never want to preheat a Teflon pan without something in it, Matijevich says. “Even if you just start with the butter or oil that you plan to cook your food in, that should be enough to reduce the chances of the coating breaking down,” he explains.
If you’re using a cooking method where preheating to high heat is important, like searing and sautéing, Matijevich recommends using a different type of pan than Teflon.
Consider using a different type of pan entirely
While Teflon is a big name in non-stick cookware, chefs say you don’t need to use them. “You can get the same nonstick benefits from using a blue steel or cast iron pan that is properly seasoned,” Matijevich says. “I personally don't use Teflon pans at home and only use them professionally when I'm cooking a lot of eggs or specialty items where the Teflon is going to give me an efficiency advantage.”
Keovilay agrees that there are other options. “If you are concerned about using Teflon pans, I would recommend investing in a good cast iron pan,” he says. “When a cast iron pan is well seasoned, nothing will stick to it.”
Blue steel and cast iron pans “last forever” and may simply be a safer alternative, Matijevich says. “There is no coating that breaks down and you don't have to worry about overheating them,” he adds.
What to do if you experience symptoms
If you happen to get sick with what you suspect is Teflon flu, it’s best to turn off the heat on your cooking surface and get to fresh air, according to Missouri Poison Center. Drinking plenty of water and taking medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen if you’re uncomfortable should help, too.
FAQs
Most importantly, non-stick pans such as Teflon-coated pans should not be heated above 500 degrees, according to the manufacturer. This includes avoiding preheating the pan on the stovetop on high heat without food in them, and avoiding putting them in the oven at high temperatures.
How long does teflon flu last? ›
Symptoms of Teflon Flu
In addition, Brown said that symptoms usually last between one to two days. Dibble adds that these fumes can be harmful to pets as well. "Fumes released when PTFE is heated to high temperatures can be harmful to animals such as pets," she said.
What are the symptoms of Teflon? ›
Teflon flu causes symptoms like headache, fever, shivering, muscle aches, weakness, coughing, excessive thirst, and sweating. It can also affect your taste buds and cause bad or unpleasant taste. The symptoms normally go on for one to two days.
What happens if you ingest non-stick coating? ›
If, in a rare instance, a person accidentally ingests a flake of nonstick coating, the flake is non-toxic and would pass through the body without being absorbed. Based on the inert characteristics of the coating, data indicates that there are no health effects from the incidental ingestion of nonstick coating flakes.
At what temperature does Teflon become toxic? ›
Generally speaking, Teflon is a safe and stable compound. However, at temperatures above 500°F (260°C), Teflon coatings on nonstick cookware start to break down, releasing toxic chemicals into the air ( 18 ). Inhaling these fumes may lead to polymer fume fever, also known as the Teflon flu.
Should I throw out scratched Teflon? ›
You should avoid using any scratched or dented nonstick pan to avoid exposure to potentially toxic chemicals.
Are pans still coated with Teflon? ›
Teflon cookware made before 2013 may be toxic
All that was enough for most manufacturers to halt the production of nonstick coatings using PFOA around 2002. Teflon using PFOA wasn't officially banned in the United States until 2014. Europe banned it in 2008.
Is Teflon in everyone's body? ›
Studies show that human exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is widespread and that nearly all people in the United States have PFOA in their blood.
What is Teflon called now? ›
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, and has numerous applications because it is chemically inert. The commonly known brand name of PTFE-based composition is Teflon by Chemours, a spin-off from DuPont, which originally discovered the compound in 1938.
What is the healthiest cookware? ›
“The most nontoxic cookware that you can buy is stainless steel, cast iron or carbon steel; things that don't have a coating on them,” says Alexis Pisciotta, culinary purchasing and events manager and cookware consultant for Food Network.
We advise replacing your nonstick pans whenever the coating starts to degrade or is scratched—or about every three to five years.
Is it safe to use a scratched Tefal pan? ›
As the studies conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): the human body does not assimilate the particles, which remain utterly harmless. However, scratches can cause a reduction in the non-stick qualities of the utensil: so it is best to replace the product concerned.
Do air fryers have Teflon? ›
Many of the best air fryers use non-stick materials such as Teflon. You'll often see these labeled PTFE, PFOA, PFOS, and BPA. These are generally safe and actually really convenient for cleaning, but if you aren't using your air fryer properly, the non-stick coating can become scratched and damaged.
What are the symptoms of Teflon flu? ›
Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle tension and headache, and generally start within 12 to 24 hours of exposure. A non-stick Teflon pan makes cooking sticky food easier, and is considered safe if users follow product directions.
Does HexClad have Teflon? ›
Teflon is a proprietary brand of PTFE made by Chemours. While HexClad doesn't use Teflon per se, it does use a PTFE nonstick coating (a subgroup of PFAS) on its cookware.
How long does Teflon stay in your system? ›
However, PFOA can be measured in blood for years after exposure. PFOA levels decline in blood naturally by about half every 2-4 years, assuming there is no additional exposure. This is known as a half life. Your health care provider and the resources listed in #9 can discuss this with you further if you have questions.
What are the long term effects of the Teflon flu? ›
"We don't yet know the long-term effects, but we do know that these chemicals, these PFAS, are associated with health conditions like thyroid abnormalities, certain cancers, like kidney cancer, as well as certain problems with infertility," Sutton said Friday on "Good Morning America." "So it's important to be safe ...
How long does it take for metal fume fever to go away? ›
Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, dyspnea, headache, myalgia, and malaise. Symptoms are self-limiting and typically resolve within 24 hours with a subsequent short-lived tolerance to zinc oxide fumes that disappears after one to two days of avoidance.
How to get rid of metal fume fever? ›
Treatment: The primary treatment for both metal fume fever and polymer fume fever is supportive and directed at symptom relief. Oral hydration, rest, and the use of antipyretics and anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin) are recommended.
