Old Nonstick Pans: Safe Or Not?

Non-stick pans have been a kitchen staple since the 1950s, but are they safe? The crux of the issue is that these pans require a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating—like the one trademarked as Teflon—to ensure that food doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan while cooking. Up until 2013, this coating contained perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as an adhesive, and some studies have claimed a link between the material and several chronic health conditions, including cancer. However, Teflon removed the chemical entirely from their pans in 2013 after it was banned by the Stockholm Convention, so any pans made after this date won't contain PFOA.

Teflon coatings may break down at high temperatures, releasing toxic fumes

Teflon is a brand name for a chemical coating called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It is sprayed on items and baked to create a nonstick, waterproof, noncorrosive, and nonreactive surface. While Teflon itself is considered non-toxic, there are concerns about what happens when it is exposed to high temperatures.

At temperatures above 500°F (260°C), Teflon coatings on nonstick cookware can begin to break down and release toxic fumes. These fumes can cause polymer fume fever, which is characterised by flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, headache, and body aches. In more serious cases, exposure to overheated Teflon has been linked to lung damage.

The risk of Teflon breaking down and releasing toxic fumes increases at higher temperatures. A 2017 article in Environmental Science and Pollution Research found that a Teflon-coated pan can reach 750°F (399°C) if left on high heat for eight minutes. At lower temperatures, Teflon coating will still break down over time. According to a 2001 study in Nature, if you consistently heat your pan to 500°F (260°C), the pan will last for around 2.3 years.

To minimise the risk of exposure to toxic fumes, it is recommended to follow basic safety precautions when using nonstick cookware. This includes avoiding preheating an empty pan, cooking on medium or low heat, ventilating the kitchen, and using wooden, silicone, or plastic utensils to avoid scratching the nonstick surface.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was used in the production of Teflon until 2013

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a man-made chemical that was used in the production of Teflon until 2013. It is a type of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) with an eight-carbon chain structure, also known as C8. Due to its chemical structure, PFOA is considered a surfactant or fluorosurfactant.

PFOA was used in the manufacturing process of Teflon, a brand of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is a non-stick coating for cookware. The concern with the use of PFOA in Teflon production was that it could be released when the cookware was heated to high temperatures, potentially posing health risks to consumers.

PFOA has been linked to various health issues, including an increased risk of certain cancers, such as testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and thyroid cancer. It has also been associated with developmental and reproductive issues, hormonal disruptions, and negative effects on the liver, thyroid, and immune system.

In 2013, the production of PFOA was phased out by major companies, and it is no longer used in the manufacturing of non-stick cookware. However, PFOA is still produced and used in other industries, and it can be found in the environment and in human blood samples worldwide. The persistence of PFOA and its potential health risks have led to ongoing research and regulatory efforts to reduce its use and protect public health.

PFOA has been linked to several health conditions, including cancer

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a chemical that was once used in the manufacturing of Teflon, a brand of non-stick coating for cookware. While the use of PFOA in the manufacturing of Teflon-coated cookware has been discontinued, it is still possible for PFOA to be created when the clear plastic coating known as PTFE breaks down.

PFOA has been linked to several health conditions, including various types of cancer. In 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified PFOA as "carcinogenic" to humans, based on sufficient evidence of PFOA-linked cancers in experimental animals and strong evidence that PFOA can cause changes in the human body that may lead to cancer.

Specifically, PFOA has been associated with an increased risk of renal cell carcinoma, also known as kidney cancer. Higher kidney cancer incidence and mortality have been observed among individuals with high PFOA exposure, such as those employed in PFAS-producing chemical plants or residing in communities with contaminated drinking water.

In addition to kidney cancer, PFOA has also been linked to testicular cancer. A study published in 2013 found an association between PFOA exposure and testicular cancer in individuals who lived near and worked at a plant that produced the chemical. The incidence of testicular cancer increased with higher estimated PFOA serum levels.

PFOA has also been associated with an increased risk of other types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer and thyroid cancer. While the evidence for these links is not as strong, it is important to note that PFOA can have detrimental effects on human health.

The presence of PFOA in non-stick cookware is a cause for concern, especially if the cookware is scratched or damaged, as this may indicate that the non-stick coating has been compromised and the chemicals could be flaking off into food. To minimize the potential health risks associated with PFOA exposure, it is recommended to use non-stick cookware at low to medium heat and avoid utensils that can scratch the surface.

PFOA exposure is no longer a concern, as all Teflon products have been PFOA-free since 2013

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was a chemical used in the production of Teflon until 2013. It has been linked to various health conditions, including thyroid disorders, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, testicular cancer, infertility, and low birth weight.

In 2006, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the PFOA Stewardship Program, which aimed to eliminate the use of PFOA by 2015. The program was successful, and all Teflon products, including nonstick cookware, have been PFOA-free since 2013.

As a result, the health effects of PFOA exposure are no longer a concern. However, research is ongoing to understand the safety of other substances used in the making of Teflon, as emerging evidence suggests there may still be some safety issues.

Other substances used in the making of Teflon may still pose safety issues

Teflon is the brand name for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. PTFE is highly versatile and used in a wide range of applications, from industrial coatings to fabric protectors. While PTFE itself is non-toxic, the manufacturing process and some of the chemicals used can be harmful.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was a chemical used in the production of PTFE for many years. PFOA is linked to various health issues, including cancer, thyroid disorders, infertility, and developmental problems in children. Although its use has been discontinued in the US since 2013, PFOA persists in the environment and has been detected in the blood of people living near factories that use this chemical.

Another concern is GenX, a replacement chemical for PFOA. GenX has been found in residential water supplies, and while it is less persistent in the environment than PFOA, it has been shown to cause similar health issues in lab tests.

Other chemicals used in the manufacturing process, such as hydrofluoric acid and carbon dioxide, can also be toxic. Additionally, the process of heating PTFE to create non-stick coatings releases toxic byproducts that can cause polymer fume fever in workers.

While PTFE itself is considered safe for use in cookware, the presence of these other substances during the manufacturing process may still pose potential health risks. It is important to be aware of the possible dangers associated with the chemicals used in the production of PTFE and to take steps to minimise exposure to them.

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