Nonstick cookware has been getting a lot of attention in the news lately, and not for good reasons. Many people enjoy the ease of not needing to spray their pots and pans when cooking, but rising cases of polymer fume fever, also called Teflon flu, have some reconsidering their cookware. In 2023, there were 267 reported cases – the most since 2000, according to the Washington Post .
Polytetrafluoroethylene, the chemical used in Teflon and other nonstick cookware, is often present in air fryers , pots and pans and other kitchen appliances . Just how serious is the Teflon flu and should you be concerned about nonstick coating when cooking? As long as your cookware was made after a certain year and you use it properly, you should be fine. Everything you need to know about Teflon flu and how to confidently use your kitchenware without getting sick is explained below.
Read More: Can an Air Fryer Cause Teflon Flu? What is Teflon flu? Polymer fume fever , or Teflon flu, has reignited a debate about nonstick cookware safety. The illness occurs when fumes from an overheated Teflon or nonstick pan are inhaled. Nonstick pans are made with polytetrafluoroethylene (also known as PTFE).
PTFE's are known as "forever chemicals" since they take decades or sometimes even hundreds of years to break down. Under normal use, PTFE's aren't thought to cause a health risk, but when heated to above 500 degrees F there are increased emissions and the resulting polymer fume fever. Polymer fume fever c.