Jul. 14, 2025
A great nonstick pan can do wonders for your cooking. Nonstick cookware is coated in teflon, which makes it easy to use and clean. However, some question the safety of the chemical-coated dishes: PTFE and PFAS (used in the coating) can potentially mix with your food during use.
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Last year, the US saw an increase in reported cases of "Teflon flu." If that raises questions in your mind, you're not alone. Several Reddit users expressed the same concerns, with some wondering whether inhaling Teflon fumes while cooking is dangerous. The good news is that if your cookware was made after a certain year and you use it properly, you should be in the clear. But there's also a bit more to the story. Here's what you need to know about Teflon flu and using your nonstick kitchenware without health worries.
Read more: Never Raise Your Air Fryer Above This Temperature
The chemical polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), found in Teflon and similar nonstick surfaces, is common in air fryers, pots and pans and other kitchen appliances. When these materials overheat, they can release synthetic compounds that pose health risks.
Polymer fume fever, or Teflon flu, has reignited a debate about nonstick cookware safety. The illness occurs when fumes from an overheated Teflon or nonstick pan are inhaled. Nonstick pans are made with polytetrafluoroethylene (also known as PTFE). PTFEs are known as "forever chemicals" because they take decades or sometimes even hundreds of years to break down.
Read more: I Upgraded to This PFAS-Free Glass Fryer and You Should, Too
Under normal use, PTFEs aren't thought to cause a health risk, but when heated to above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, there are increased emissions and the resulting polymer fume fever. Polymer fume fever causes a range of reported symptoms including fever, chills, muscle tension and headache. Symptoms of Teflon flu are temporary and generally start within 12 hours of exposure but can take up to 24 hours to take hold.
Teflon and nonstick cookware are easy to use, clean and maintain, but it should be used only for low to medium heat cooking. Never heat your nonstick cookware over high heat or medium heat for long periods of time. Try to keep the surface temperature at or below 450 degrees Fahrenheit, or emissions from the PTFE coating are likely to increase.
Nonstick or Teflon is a popular choice for home cooks. The biggest advantage is that food won't stick to pots and pans coated with Teflon the way it does to other metal materials, so it's easy to flip a pancake or remove a cooked egg. Nonstick is also very easy to clean, generally taking no more than a few seconds to wash by hand.
Teflon is a brand name for a synthetic chemical called polytetrafluoroethylene that's used in many household products, from wire coatings to fabric protectors and kitchen cookware. The knock on Teflon is that it's unsafe if consumed or absorbed into the body and can increase the chances of cancer and other diseases. Studies have shown some connections (more on that below), but Teflon still exists and is used to make cookware, and the safety concerns around Teflon are mostly a thing of the past.
I stress mostly. Here's why…
The brand Teflon may be associated with a risk of cancer, but it's actually a chemical formerly used in the making of Teflon called PFOA that's to blame. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, perfluorooctanoic acid is a manufactured perfluorochemical developed in the s and used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water.
In some studies, PFOA has been linked to cancer, immune deficiency and a host of other medical problems. It has also been shown to affect growth and development and injure the liver in laboratory animals.
As recently as , chemical giant Dupont settled a lawsuit for more than $670 million for its role in contaminating drinking water with PFOA (also referred to as C-8) in the mid-Ohio Valley. A previous class-action suit from in the same area led to a study that found PFOA was linked to cancer and compromised immune function, even in small doses.
All that was enough for most manufacturers to halt the production of nonstick coatings using PFOA around . Teflon using PFOA wasn't officially banned in the United States until . Europe banned it in . That means if you own Teflon nonstick cookware from or earlier, there's a chance it contains PFOA. Nine years is typically longer than the average lifespan of a nonstick pan, but if you're not sure, it's probably best to replace any Teflon-coated pots or pans.
Because of the ban, all nonstick cookware made in the US should be PFOA-free, but you'd be wise to make sure. Be extra cautious about buying cheap or off-brand cookware, especially if it's not produced in a country with an active PFOA ban. PFOA is still produced elsewhere, largely in China, and used to make consumer products.
The good news is that PFOA-free nonstick cookware is cheap, so there's no reason to risk it with anything that might contain the chemical. You can nab a 10-inch skillet from a trusted cookware brand like Misen for $99 or Tramontina for about $30. Luxury cookware brand All-Clad makes a two-piece nonstick cookware set for $60.
If you're ready to ditch Teflon and chemical-based nonstick pots and pans, there are plenty of more natural nonstick alternatives.
The most nonstick of the bunch is ceramic cookware, which has seen a boom in popularity since concerns about Teflon first surfaced. A few popular ceramic cookware options include The Always Pan (read my full review here), Caraway and Greenpan.
Cast iron is another cookware material that develops a natural nonstick coating over time, especially if you season it well and care for it properly. It won't likely ever become as nonstick as Teflon, but cast iron has loads of other culinary benefits that are worthy of a few extra seconds of scrubbing in the sink after use. Lodge is a tried-and-true cast-iron cookware producer: You can scoop up a 10-inch skillet for as little as $20.
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Carbon steel is yet another option and functions similarly to cast-iron cookware, although it's not quite as heavy, slightly more sensitive to corrosion, and typically more expensive. Carbon steel hasn't really popped off here in the US but is a favorite of professional chefs, as well as yours truly. Cookware startup Made In produces some excellent carbon steel cookware with prices starting around $89, but there are cheaper options out there.
Teflon has been around since the s, and gained popularity in the s. From non-stick frying pans, saucepans and non-stick wok, to non-stick cooking utensils, Teflon has made life easier for so many people. While Teflon has been known as a low-maintenance and easy-to-clean option, it has also been associated with specific health risks.
Especially in the last 2 decades, a lot of studies and research has been conducted to show that Teflon might be harmful for both physical and mental health. With these studies and research, there are growing concerns about Teflon’s integrity and people are starting to question whether Teflon is truly safe to use. If you are one of those people and want to make sure whether your Teflon cookware is safe to use or not, read one because we’re going to explore exactly that!
Teflon is a household name for a chemical compound known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It belongs to the family of PFAS and was first developed in the s. At that time, it was used in industrial applications for its heat resistance and non-reactive properties. But, in the s, Teflon was beginning to be used in non-stick cookware to create a smooth, frictionless surface on top of pots and pans. This coating prevents food from sticking to the surface and makes cleaning easy.
While these benefits made Teflon a popular choice for cookware, questions have been raised about its safety, particularly when heated to high temperatures.
Teflon is just one type of nonstick coating, and there are many more non-stick coatings in the market. All non-stick coatings, including Teflon, are designed to resist oil and food, so they don’t stick to the pan during and after cooking.
Teflon, specifically, is made from PTFE. But there are other non-stick coatings like ceramic or silicone-based coatings, which claim to function the same as Teflon but without using harmful chemicals like PFAS (the family of chemicals to which PTFE belongs).
One of the biggest concerns about Teflon is its chances of releasing toxic substances when heated. While Teflon itself is stable and safe at lower temperatures, it can begin to break down when it is heated above 260°C, or when it gets scratched. The chemical, PFOA, which is used for the production of Teflon has also been proven, through studies, to cause various health risks, including certain types of cancer and thyroid disorders.
When Teflon overheats, it releases toxic fumes that can cause flu-like symptoms, which is also referred to as "polymer fume fever" or sometimes “Teflon fever”. These fumes are released when Teflon is heated to and over 260°C. At this temperature, Teflon starts to break down and release toxic fumes in the air. These fumes can be really dangerous for you if you inhale them over an extended time.
That is a very commonly misunderstood thing about non-stick cookware. When people think of non-stick, they, by default, think of Teflon.
The fact is, not all non-stick is made from Teflon. Teflon is a specific substance called PTFE, which uses PFOA during the manufacturing process. Both of these are from the PFAS family of chemicals. There are many different materials which are used to create non-stick surfaces on cookware. Materials like silicon and ceramic are also used to create non-stick coating on cookware.
In the past, studies have shown that during the production of Teflon, the chemical PFOA is used. That specific chemical makes Teflon toxic and so, all Teflon-coated cookware is harmful.
By , PFOA was almost entirely opted out from the production of non-stick cookware. Although some brands still use the traditional method of creating non-stick coatings, most of the quality brands have shifted to using other non-stick coatings like ceramic and silicone. Blu. has also worked with certified chefs, for about 7 years, to create 100% PFAS free, toxin-free non-stick cookware that is completely safe to be used for all types of cooking.
Here are some safe alternatives to Teflon cookware:
With so much information about the potential dangers of chemicals in cookware, it’s understandable that people are more cautious today than ever before. Chemicals like PTFE and PFOA, which are conventionally used in creating non-stick coatings, have been linked to health risks when used improperly or when exposed to high heat.
These chemicals could potentially harm our health and the environment. Because these chemicals can release toxic fumes and leach into our food, it is important to understand what materials your cookware is made of and how to use them safely.
Teflon is safe at normal cooking temperatures, but it can become toxic if overheated above 260°C (500°F). At this temperature, it starts to break down and release fumes that can cause flu-like symptoms, known as Polymer Fume Fever.
Older Teflon products made before contained PFOA, which has been linked to health risks. But modern Teflon cookware no longer contains this chemical. When used correctly at moderate temperatures, it can be safe to use. But if your Teflon cookware is damaged or scratched, it's best to replace it.
Ceramic-coated cookware, cast iron, stainless steel, and carbon steel are good alternatives to Teflon pans. These options do not contain PFAS chemicals and are safe, and non-toxic when used properly.
If you want to dispose of your old Teflon cookware, check with your local recycling facility to see if they accept non-stick cookware. If recycling isn’t an option, you may need to dispose of it in regular waste.
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