What is Teflon flu? The nonstick pan habits that could be quietly making you sick
Nonstick cookware is a kitchen staple for health-conscious home cooks. It uses less oil, cleans up easily and makes everyday cooking simpler. But when nonstick cookware overheats, it can release fumes linked to a condition known as “Teflon flu.”
The good news is that experts say it’s largely preventable. A few simple cooking habits can dramatically reduce the risk.
What is Teflon flu?
“Teflon flu” is the common name for polymer fume fever, a condition caused by inhaling fumes released when nonstick cookware overheats.
The issue involves polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the nonstick coating commonly sold under the Teflon brand name. PTFE is generally considered safe during normal cooking, but it begins breaking down at temperatures above 500°F.
According to the National Capital Poison Center, several hundred suspected cases were reported to U.S. poison centers in 2023. ABC News reported that it was the highest yearly total since 2000, with more than 3,600 suspected cases reported over the past two decades.
Experts believe Teflon flu is underreported because symptoms often resemble a cold or seasonal flu.
Teflon flu symptoms often feel like a common flu
Most people develop symptoms within 12 to 24 hours after exposure. Common Teflon flu symptoms include:
- Fever and chills
- Headaches and body aches
- Fatigue
- Coughing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Airway irritation
Symptoms usually improve within one to three days, but people with asthma or other lung conditions may experience more serious breathing problems.
In rare cases involving severe overheating or prolonged exposure in enclosed spaces, significant lung damage can occur.
Dr. Darien Sutton, an emergency medicine physician, told Good Morning America that caution is important with PFAS-containing products like PTFE.
“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.
Why nonstick cookware overheats so easily
A few common cooking habits sharply increase the risk of releasing PTFE fumes. The biggest mistake is preheating an empty nonstick pan. Without food or oil absorbing heat, pans can quickly exceed safe temperatures.
Other risk factors include:
- Cooking on high heat or broiling
- Using scratched, chipped or peeling pans
- Cooking in poorly ventilated kitchens
Sisavath Keovilay, PhD, of the Keiser University Center told the American Society of Registered Nurses that ventilation matters anytime you cook.
“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,” Keovilay said.
How to prevent Teflon flu in your household
You do not necessarily need to throw away all your nonstick cookware. The key is using it correctly. Experts recommend:
- Never preheating an empty nonstick pan
- Keeping temperatures at low to medium heat
- Avoiding broiling or high-heat cooking
- Opening windows or using exhaust fans
- Replacing scratched or peeling pans
- Using wooden, silicone or plastic utensils
- Cleaning with soft sponges instead of abrasive scrubbers
- Replacing nonstick pans every three to five years
Birds are especially sensitive to PTFE fumes, so pets should be kept away from the kitchen while cooking.
What to do if you think you were exposed
If a pan overheats, turn off the heat immediately, open windows and leave the area with family members and pets.
Most people recover with rest, fluids and over-the-counter pain relievers. However, severe symptoms or breathing problems should be evaluated by a doctor, especially for people with asthma.
Some PFAS chemicals, also known as “forever chemicals,” previously used in Teflon manufacturing, including PFOA, have already been phased out in the United States. But PTFE is still widely used in nonstick cookware today.
According to USA Today, states including Minnesota, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Colorado have passed legislation targeting PFAS in cookware.
If you still use nonstick cookware, experts say the safest approach is simple: avoid overheating your pans and replace them when they become damaged.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
