Toxic Teflon: The Unseen Danger of Non-Stick Cookware

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SUMMARY

Teflon-coated cookware can emit toxic particles and gases when heated to high temperatures, specifically exceeding 500°F, as reported by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). At temperatures around 1000°F, these coatings break down into hazardous substances such as PFIB and phosgene, which are linked to serious health risks including bird deaths and potential human illnesses. The discussion highlights the dangers of non-stick cookware and the need for awareness regarding the materials used in their production.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Teflon and its chemical properties
  • Knowledge of cooking temperatures and their effects on cookware
  • Familiarity with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports
  • Awareness of toxic substances such as PFIB and phosgene
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the health effects of PFIB and phosgene exposure
  • Explore alternatives to Teflon cookware, such as ceramic or stainless steel
  • Investigate safe cooking temperatures for various types of cookware
  • Learn about the history and production of non-stick coatings
USEFUL FOR

Health-conscious consumers, culinary professionals, environmental activists, and anyone concerned about the safety of non-stick cookware.

Dissident Dan
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http://www.ewg.org/reports/toxicteflon/es.php

In two to five minutes on a conventional stovetop, cookware coated with Teflon and other non-stick surfaces can exceed temperatures at which the coating breaks apart and emits toxic particles and gases linked to hundreds, perhaps thousands, of pet bird deaths and an unknown number of human illnesses each year, according to tests commissioned by Environmental Working Group (EWG).

.....

At temperatures that DuPont scientists claim are reached on stovetop drip pans (1000°F), non-stick coatings break down to a chemical warfare agent known as PFIB, and a chemical analog of the WWII nerve gas phosgene.

WTF? Did any of you guys know anything about this? This is insane. It appears that when there's no war, DuPont, Monsanto, etc. try to adapt war chemicals into any use.
 
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Dissident Dan said:
http://www.ewg.org/reports/toxicteflon/es.php



WTF? Did any of you guys know anything about this? This is insane. It appears that when there's no war, DuPont, Monsanto, etc. try to adapt war chemicals into any use.
Yes, I knew about it. The pan has to reach a heat higher than used in normal cooking. But if you leave a teflon pan on the stove on high heat unattended, the fumes are toxic to birds.
 
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All halo-alkanes are toxic and most are carcinogens as well. If Teflon breaks down, it probably becomes either tetrafluoroethyne or difluoromethane or some such thing. These are definitely toxic carcinogens, and that's fairly common knowledge. I didn't know though, that it de-polymerizes at stove-top temperatures. I thought it melted before that.
 
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Thank goodness I stuck with leadware. :approve:
 
I grew up with aluminum cookware, of course now they say cooking in aluminum may contribute to alzheimers. What was the question?
 
Thank God I'm safe. I just eat out.







:biggrin:

- Warren
 
chroot said:
Thank God I'm safe. I just eat out.

:biggrin:

- Warren

I wonder what they cook with ? :rolleyes:
 
Gokul,

That was part of the joke, man!

- Warren
 
:redface: If I delete my post, will you delete yours ? :redface:
 
  • #10
Muhahahaha... :biggrin:

If you didn't get it, either it was a really good joke, or a really bad one. I'm not sure which.

- Warren
 

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