There has been a surprising amount of news coverage about Teflon flu recently. It is a real illness but rare and relatively easy to avoid.
When nonstick pans are heated to high temperatures of 500 degrees or more, they can emit potentially dangerous fumes. Poison control centers have received more than 3,699 reported suspected cases of the illnesses ever. In 2023, there were a suspected 267 cases.
“This is why they tell you: Don’t heat your Teflon pan to a high temperature,” said Zac Hudson, an associate professor of chemistry at the Univ. of British Columbia. “It’ll burn and release a very complex mix of oxidized, fluorinated substances.”
It’s rare to get a nonstick pan hot enough to emit fumes. But you can take steps to be safer. You should never preheat a pan without oil or food in it. You shouldn’t use nonstick pans for baking or broiling. You should have the window open or an exhaust fan running when you use them. Finally, you shouldn’t use utensils made of metal or other hard materials that will scrap the coating.
“If you are concerned about using Teflon pans, I would recommend investing in a good cast iron pan,” said Dr. Sisavath Keovilay, a professor of baking and pastry at Keiser Univ. Center for the Culinary Arts. “When a cast iron pan is well seasoned, nothing will stick to it.”
Shawn Matijevich, lead chef-instructor of online culinary arts and food operations at the Institute of Culinary Education, agreed. He said, “There is no coating that breaks down and you don’t have to worry about overheating them.”
But, changing out your cookware can be expensive, and you can take preventative measures and keep an eye out for signs of illness. The symptoms of Teflon flu are similar to the regular flu: fever, chills, headache, fatigue, aches and a dry cough. It can be treated with fresh air, drinking plenty of water and taking over-the-counter painkillers.
There have been more cases of Teflon flu recently than before. People have wondered if it was linked to the popularity of air fryers. Air fryer baskets usually are coated with a nonstick layer. However, air fryers don’t get hot enough to release fumes.
Teflon made before 2013 may contain a substance that has since been banned for being toxic. It was linked to cancer and compromised immune function. If you have been using the same nonstick cookware for over a decade, you should update it for your safety. Switching to cast iron might be a good call if you’re doing that.
It should be safe if your nonstick cookware is less than a decade old. Just make sure you don’t heat the pan when it’s empty, don’t use it in the oven, don’t use metal cooking utensils and have proper ventilation. By following those simple rules, you’ll be fine.
