Non-Stick Cookware is Dangerous/ Poisonous to your Health! Dangers of Teflon
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Non-stick cookware has been popular because, well, it's non-stick -- very convenient to use and clean. But it also emits toxic fumes when overheated.
Environmental Working Group recommends that you choose safer cookware to reduce the risk of inhaling toxic particles when you let that non-stick pan get a little too hot.
Why you should skip the non-stick?
Non-stick cookware refer to the metal or aluminum
pans that is comprised with a layer of synthetic polymer known as
polytetrafluoroetheylene (PTFE). This is also known as Teflon, a DuPont brand
trademark.
Most of the non-stick pans and other cooking
vessels are produced with perfluorinated chemicals. The dangerous flumes that
are created out of Teflon chemicals from the non-stick cookware used at higher
temperatures destroy pet birds. Even people are likely to suffer from flu such
as “Teflon Flu”. It is also known as “Polymer fume fever" by the
scientists. As the non-stick pans are scratched, the ingesting particles that
come out are not dangerous as these contain PTFE
flakes.
Hence, it is noted on the manufacturers’ labels
and instruction guide that Teflon cookware should not be heated at high
temperatures. According to EWG-commissioned tests in the year 2003, Teflon
cookware heated on a traditional stove top for only two to five minutes can
lead to breakage of the coating and emission of the toxic particles from the
surface. PFCs (Perfluorinated
Chemical) are found across the
globe.
Disadvantage of PFCs (Perfluorinated Chemical)
2. Smaller birth weight and size in newborn babies
3. Liver inflammation
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Hence, it is recommended that cookware made up of cast iron or stainless steel should be used as safe alternatives for stove-top cooking. Even over-safe glass is a better option for baking purpose. These are safe utensils that will take efforts for cleaning and cooking, but your overall health is guaranteed.
How to cook with non-stick if you're 'stuck'
with it?
1. Do not pre-heat the
non-stick pans or other vessels at higher temperature. This is because empty
cookware can quickly reach at higher temperatures. Hence, cookware should be
heated at lowest temperature for safe cooking.
2. Do not insert
non-stick cookware in an oven that is heated more than 500 degrees.
3. Always switch on an
exhaust fan while cooking using stove.
4. Do not use the self-cleaning tool on your oven. It heats the oven
at high temperature and performs cleaning function. As a result toxic fumes are
released from the non-stick internal components in the oven.
