Are non-stick pans really safe for cooking?

Non-stick pans are coated with Teflon. The chemical PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) were used to make Teflon. Among these PFOA is a dangerous & toxic chemical that has been linked to several health risks like cancer (liver, prostate, breast), reduced fertility, body development issues in infants.

A study conducted in the United States in 2008, it was found that 90% of the Americans had PFOA in their blood. There have been health concerns for many decades and only in 2015, it was addressed & finally banned. In India, even today many low-grade Teflon contains PFOA, that releases toxic fumes, that can make you ill. These polymers breakdown on heating & release deadly fumes, known as Teflon fumes. These fumes are fatal for birds & can make you ill with flu-like symptoms (headache, nausea).

Though non-stick manufacturers debate on this, saying the breakdown happens at a very high temperature around 500 degrees F. But the question is should we take a chance on our family’s health for the sake of ease & comfort.

I believe the answer is NO.