Teflon and cancer
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Poppi G. Koullias
Senior Cook
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- Oct 23, 2010
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Not sure, though scientists have super-heated Teflon to 680°F. See EPA: Compound in Teflon may cause cancer though this is way back 5 years.
But Teflon is still in production. Somehow I doubt DuPont would keep their licenced product available if they were threated with litigation.
But Teflon is still in production. Somehow I doubt DuPont would keep their licenced product available if they were threated with litigation.
Andy M.
Certified Pretend Chef
There is no legitimate health reason to avoid using teflon coated cookware.
There are chemicals used in the manufacture of teflon that are possible carcinogens. Tests show that the chemical is not present in the finished product. The potential danger is to factory workers.
Teflon coated pans can give off a gas if over heated. This gas will cause flu-like symptoms in humans but is not fatal. It is fatal for small birds such as parakeets. The temperature needed to cause such an outgassing are far in excess of what is involved in cooking with a pan. If you left an empty pan on a burner on high and forgot about it, you could eventually have a problem.
Teflon itself is chemically inert. If bits of teflon come off pan and are ingested with food, they pass harmlessly through your body.
If you avoid teflon products "just to be on the safe side" you're missing out on a useful tool unnecessarily.
There are chemicals used in the manufacture of teflon that are possible carcinogens. Tests show that the chemical is not present in the finished product. The potential danger is to factory workers.
Teflon coated pans can give off a gas if over heated. This gas will cause flu-like symptoms in humans but is not fatal. It is fatal for small birds such as parakeets. The temperature needed to cause such an outgassing are far in excess of what is involved in cooking with a pan. If you left an empty pan on a burner on high and forgot about it, you could eventually have a problem.
Teflon itself is chemically inert. If bits of teflon come off pan and are ingested with food, they pass harmlessly through your body.
If you avoid teflon products "just to be on the safe side" you're missing out on a useful tool unnecessarily.
Joshatdot
Senior Cook
+1 for what Andy said .. plus if you do ingest lil bits of some, there's no chance it'll stick inside you .. it's Teflon!
Bolas De Fraile
Executive Chef
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- Oct 28, 2010
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- 3,191
Ive been smoking a frying pan a day for 20 yrs and I feel OK+1 for what Andy said .. plus if you do ingest lil bits of some, there's no chance it'll stick inside you .. it's Teflon!
Poppi G. Koullias
Senior Cook
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2010
- Messages
- 285
CookLikeJulia
Senior Cook
For me, I'm still using teflon products also and is very helpful. If there will be enough evidence to prove that Teflon can cause cancer by using it. I would really stop using it.
Andy M.
Certified Pretend Chef
For me, I'm still using teflon products also and is very helpful. If there will be enough evidence to prove that Teflon can cause cancer by using it. I would really stop using it.
If there was enough evidence to prove Teflon products caused cancer, they would be off the market.
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