Teflon Flu Understanding The Risks Of Overheated Non-Stick Pans
                     Teflon Flu: Understanding The Risks 
Of Overheated Non-Stick Pans
Chaitanya Kumari
Writes informational articles on aspects of daily 
living such as health, wealth, wisdom, wellness as 
well as tomato and spinach side effects, and 
diabetic diet plan for South Indians.
Gone are the days of using traditional cookware. With modern advances and 
inventions, non-stick or Teflon-coated pans or cookware have become popular 
and are used widely in modern-day kitchens. Commonly known by its brand 
name Teflon, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer used 
in non-stick cookware. People prefer these pans due to their benefits which 
include easy cooking and cleaning without sticking, reduction in excess oil 
requirement, lightweight, no rust or corrosion, and even heat distribution for 
the heat-diffusing bottom. However, along with the benefits come several 
potential risks, which can’t be ignored.
What is Teflon flu?
Teflon flu otherwise known as polymer flu is a set of flu-like symptoms caused 
by inhaling fumes from heated Teflon or non-stick coatings on pans. People 
claim to experience such symptoms after getting exposed to heated PTFE.
What are the symptoms of Teflon flu?
The symptoms of Teflon flu include fever, chills, headache, coughing, sore 
throat, nausea and vomiting, muscle pain, joint pain, fatigue, shortness of 
breath, dizziness, and chest constriction.
How long does Teflon flu last?
Teflon flu is a temporary condition without any serious consequences or 
long-term effects. The symptoms of Teflon flu usually develop within 4-8 
hours after exposure to Teflon fumes and resolve within 24-48 hours 
without any serious consequences. A few cases could require extra time for 
complete recovery. However, prolonged exposure to high concentrations of 
Teflon fumes may trigger severe health issues.
•It is crucial to remember that repeated prolonged exposure to Teflon 
fumes may trigger severe health consequences. It may cause respiratory 
issues or even organ damage.
•It is advisable to consult a doctor and get medical attention if a person 
experiences persistent or severe symptoms.
What are the causes of Teflon flu?
Inhalation of fumes from heated Teflon or PTFE non-stick coatings causes 
polymer fume fever or Teflon flu.
Reasons
1.Teflon releases harmful fumes when exposed to high heat.
2.Leaving Teflon cookware on high heat or accidentally scratching the 
non-stick surface with metal utensils damages the Teflon coating thus 
releasing toxic fumes.
3.Workers engaged in manufacturing units, using PTFE or laboratory 
settings come in contact with the fumes and inhale them.
4.Burning or heating Teflon products, like upholstery, clothing or 
cookware can release toxic fumes.
5.Poor ventilation in kitchens, factories, or laboratories makes people 
vulnerable to toxic fumes.
6.Inadequate safety measures while being vulnerable to PTFE increases 
the chances of inhaling the toxic fumes.
7.Safe usage of Teflon products must be prioritized to ensure safety. Safe 
product use, proper ventilation, and safety measures while working with 
PTFE or Teflon are crucial.
What fumes come from non-stick pans?
The non-stick pans coated with Teflon (PTFE) may release various fumes 
when heated. The fumes include:
1.Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
2.Perfluorooctane acid (PFOS)
3.Fluoropolymers
4.Furan
Along with the fumes, it may release tiny particles of non-stick coating 
breakdown and volatile organic compounds which may cause respiratory 
issues.
There are a lot of tips being given to handle this issue. Some even suggest 
that a variant of Teflon is not as harmful. However, considering the flip-flops 
on various topics in the past including low-fat food and cholesterol 
consumers may not feel confident or trust the advice. It seems going back 
to traditional cookware is a safer and better option. Why take unnecessary 
risks with health matters? Teflon cookware is not any less maintenance 
cookware either requiring so much effort to take care of them.
About Living Smartly
Living-smartly.com is a website that publishes information specifically focused on 
helping people to make right choices in their every day challenges. Living Smartly 
provides smart tips & insights that covers all aspects of daily living such as general 
health & dental health, philosophy, social skills, technology, wellness, gifts etc.
        Thank you for spending your precious time in reading this article!