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Side effects of non-stick utensils: Toxic fumes from nonstick cookware could cause Teflon flu. Last year, more than 250 Americans were hospitalized with flu-like symptoms caused by chemicals in the cookware. Heating a nonstick pan releases harmful substances that can cause serious illness. Can toxic fumes from your nonstick pan make you sick with the flu?
Although it may sound strange, this strange disease is affecting many Americans. According to the Daily Mail report, more than 250 Americans were hospitalized last year due to Teflon flu, also known as polymer fume fever. Symptoms of this disease include headache, body aches, fever, chills and shivers.
As the name suggests, it is your Teflon cookware that can make you susceptible to this disease if used improperly. Overheating nonstick cookware or scrubbing Teflon pans can break down the chemicals in the coating. These chemicals can spread into the air when heated, and inhaling these toxic fumes can cause flu-like symptoms.
Non-stick coatings made with PFAS 'forever chemicals' can enter the body where they cannot be broken down. Although scientists are still trying to figure out how this happens, it may be due to irritation caused by the chemicals in the lungs that can lead to flu-like symptoms.
Teflon is a synthetic chemical containing carbon and fluorine called polytetrafluoroethylene. It provides a non-reactive, non-stick and frictionless surface. The non-stick surface makes it convenient for people to cook.
It is safe to cook in nonstick pans coated with a substance called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known as Teflon. However, when nonstick pans are heated to temperatures above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, the coating on some nonstick pans begins to disintegrate and a very complex mixture of oxidized, fluorinated food additives is released into the air. Inhaling these harmful substances in the form of fumes can be harmful to those who are regularly exposed to them.
People should avoid heating Teflon pans to high temperatures. Also, preheating nonstick pans should be avoided because empty nonstick pans can reach high temperatures in a very short time. Therefore, you should always heat it with food, butter or oil already present.
symptoms of teflon fever symptoms of teflon fever
Headache,
Fever,
Chills, cough, sore throat
soreness, tightness in the chest
These symptoms usually begin a few hours after exposure and can last up to 48 hours. However, severe cases can also lead to difficulty breathing and inflammation of the lungs.