Myths and truth about the dangers of Teflon. Teflon (non-stick) coating and its harmful properties

Teflon cookware. Teflon coating. Harm of Teflon

A terrible discovery was recently made by scientists from the University of California in Los Angeles (USA). Non-stick cookware, grease removers, carpets and other fruits high technology cause irreversible changes in women's bodies that prevent them from having children.

Harm of Teflon
The discovery of the century was made by accident, during a study of the course of pregnancy in 1240 residents of Denmark. It was then that Professor Jorn Olsen, working at the University of California (USA), drew attention to the presence of perfluorocarbons in their blood.
These chemical compounds have completely unique properties of repelling water and fat, which is why they are widely used in everyday life. Since the mid-20th century, non-stick frying pans have been made from perfluorocarbons, added to dishwashing detergents, and used to impregnate carpets and clothes.
Until now, it was believed that perfluorocarbons are absolutely safe for human health. However, a study conducted by Californian scientists unexpectedly showed that they can accumulate in the body. Moreover, women whose concentration in their blood was maximum were unable to conceive a child for a very long time; many of them had to resort to artificial insemination (IVF).
So far, scientists are finding it difficult to say what is the reason for such an unfavorable effect of perfluorocarbons on a woman’s body. “Perhaps they somehow affect hormonal levels. This is indicated by the fact that women with the highest concentration of perfluorocarbons in the blood before pregnancy were characterized by an irregular menstrual cycle,” suggests one of the authors of the study, Dr. Chunyuan Fei. Professor Olsen, however, warns his colleagues against making hasty conclusions. “It remains possible that infertility is due to other factors. For example, women who have high levels of perfluorocarbons in their blood eat a lot of foods instant cooking, which contributes to obesity, which results in infertility. Further studies are needed to confirm our results to decide whether PFCs cause infertility or not,” he notes.
The public, however, is not reassured by these statements. The fact is that the study by Californian scientists is far from the first to assert that perfluorocarbons are extremely dangerous to human health. Until now, however, Teflon has been at the center of scandals.
A killer called Teflon
In 2001, scientists from the University of Toronto (Canada) published data from environmental monitoring conducted near factories that produce Teflon. The article had the effect of a bomb exploding. And it’s not surprising, because it said that when heated, a harmful substance is released from the Teflon coating, the half-life of which is several hundred years. We were talking about the so-called perfluorooctanoic acid (substance C-8), which, among other things, also has the unpleasant ability to accumulate in the environment.
The American environmental company Environmental Working Group became interested in the data obtained. Her research showed that C-8 is present in the blood of the entire (!) US population, albeit in a very low concentration (5 parts per million). The source of its appearance remained unclear, although even then many researchers believed that the culprit was Teflon-coated utensils.
Under public pressure, the Protection Agency environment The United States tried to assess the impact of C-8 on human health. The results shocked even seasoned specialists! Rats to which perfluorooctanoic acid was added to their food initially ceased to be interested in the opposite sex, then they developed malignant tumors, after which they quickly and en masse were sent to the next world. The data obtained were sufficient for C-8 to be recognized as a very strong carcinogen.
Panic meanwhile continued to grow. In 2004, residents of Parkersburg, a town in West Virginia where Teflon cookware is manufactured, filed a lawsuit against DuPont. In their statement, they claimed that C-8 was the cause of many birth defects in children and a wide variety of diseases in adults. The company's management categorically denied any guilt, claiming that S-8 did not pose any health hazard, but decided not to bring the case to trial. The plaintiffs were paid substantial compensation, the amount of which, according to some sources, ranged from 82 to 300 million dollars.
Z However, it was not possible to put an end to the scandal. Information about him was leaked to the press. At the end of 2004, the British newspaper Daily Telegraph published a sensational article saying that Teflon frying pans are harmful to health, not of people, but of parrots. Her background was as follows. British housewife Irene Clarke's four budgerigars suddenly died. Surprised by their premature death, the woman turned to the veterinarian, who examined the scene of the emergency and came to the conclusion that the Teflon frying pan on which the meat pies were fried was to blame. A caring doctor warned the frightened woman that the harmful substances released when the frying pan was heated strongly would remain in the air of the apartment for a long time. long term, so it’s better for her not to buy new birds. Journalists turned to DuPont representatives for clarification, who stated that “the excessive heating of our Teflon cookware can really hurt the birds.” What about people?
DuPont executives argued that perfluorooctanoic acid had not yet been proven to cause cancer in humans, although they did not deny that if their cookware was heated to 360 degrees Celsius, the Teflon would begin to melt, and its fumes could actually be harmful to humans. However, the maximum temperature of a regular electric or gas stove is 240-275 degrees, so the main thing is not to overheat the frying pan. And representatives of Russian science saw no reason to panic. “No one will add a toxic substance to the coating for frying pans, unless, of course, it is some kind of fake. There is homemade vodka that makes people go blind, so in the left frying pan there can be anything, even potassium cyanide,” Boris Korolev, associate professor of the department of macromolecular compounds at the Faculty of Chemistry of Moscow State University, reassured his frightened fellow citizens.
Meanwhile, the scandal continued to gain momentum. In July 2005, lawsuits were filed in eight American states against the largest American chemical concern DuPont. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which initiated the lawsuit, argued that DuPont management knew full well that Teflon could cause cancer under certain conditions, but did not disclose this information to consumers. Compensation for the damage suffered was estimated at an astronomical amount - $5 billion, which is comparable to the budget of a small third world country. The plaintiffs also demanded that the manufacturer indicate on the labels that their cookware was hazardous to health. Also, in their opinion, the DuPont corporation was obliged to begin a large-scale study of the impact that food prepared in such dishes has on human health, and to open two funds for these purposes. Representatives of DuPont, in turn, considered the accusations brought against them to be completely groundless. In their opinion, “the legal proceedings were initiated by competitors.” Six months later, under pressure from facts, DuPont management radically changed its mind, promising to find a replacement for perfluorooctanoic acid by 2015, completely removing its residues from its enterprises. However, it apparently did not do this very actively.
In February 2007, the American Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) became involved in the “Teflon case” and banned the use of Teflon-coated frying pans. As stated in the conclusion of the agency’s experts, “during laboratory experiments with animals that were injected with large doses of one of the coating components, it turned out that these substances contributed to the occurrence of liver cancer, low birth weight of newborns, and caused problems with the immune system and development process.” Previously, such a harsh decision was made only in relation to asbestos, which turned out to be a very strong carcinogen.
Housewives around the world could breathe a sigh of relief, throw away the Teflon frying pans and live in peace, but, as the latest study by American scientists showed, humanity relaxed in vain.
No exit?
The problem is that our world is literally riddled with perfluorocarbons. The same Teflon, in addition to frying pans, is contained in outer skin airplanes, acne creams, Goretex-type clothing, computer chips, hair straighteners, dental floss, electrical insulation, fast food packaging, fire extinguisher foam, furniture, garden supplies , in hair dryers, in knitwear, in paints, in kitchen utensils, in irons and ironing board covers, in leather clothing, in light bulbs, in suitcases and travel bags, in medical containers, in nail hardeners and nail polish removers, in pesticides, in pet mattresses, in dentures, in shaving foams and jellies, in coatings solar panels, glasses with scratch-resistant lenses, stain removers, surgical instruments, in umbrellas...
“There's nothing we can do about perfluorocarbons now unless we're going to turn civilization back. Sooner or later, humanity, of course, will find a replacement for them, but this is a matter of the distant future. In the meantime, I must state that couples who are trying and cannot conceive a child, no matter how much they try, will not be able to avoid contact with perfluorocarbons. In addition, as we found out, they have the ability to accumulate in the body. It is extremely difficult to remove them,” says Jorn Olsen.

Teflon coating
It’s hard to say what Americans love more: eating poorly or suing over the slightest reason. Indignant overseas consumers and their relatives have already thoroughly milked the manufacturers of fast food and cigarettes. Now, reports that food cooked on Teflon-coated cookware is allegedly life-threatening have become manna from heaven for them. At the thought that such a dear and beloved frying pan, which has long been included in every home, is potentially the breadwinner of bank accounts, citizens who are experienced in consumer lawsuits are salivating.
This time, their anger turned against the chemical giant DuPont, which “has been deceiving people for 20 years” by assuring that scrambled eggs, which do not burn on Teflon and without oil, are absolutely harmless to health. Immediately in eight US states, angry housewives filed lawsuits against the concern for $5 billion, accusing DuPont of the fact that, knowing about the carcinogenic properties of Teflon, the company did not disclose this information to buyers of cookware, which is sold all over the world. In addition to material claims, the plaintiffs demanded that the manufacturer of frying pans henceforth supply all its products with a non-stick coating with special warning instructions, as well as begin research into the negative impact of food cooked on such utensils, and open two financial funds for these needs.
The defendant denies any possibility that the brand's Teflon-coated cookware contained carcinogens. DuPont headquarters issued a message stating that the cookware produced using their technology is harmless. And therefore, offended by the attacks of ungrateful housewives, the concern, in turn, intends to “actively defend itself” from the lawsuit.
It is not known for certain who is right and who is wrong in this matter. DuPont is at least supported by the simple fact that no one has ever died from using frying pans. Consumers refer to scientific studies, the results of which show that perfluorooctanoic acid used in the preparation of Teflon certainly will not improve health. Rats that were heavily fed this substance, adding it to their food, quickly and en masse were sent to the next world. And those who survived were not particularly interested in the opposite sex and generally lagged behind in sexual development. Some birds that are located close to the kitchen where they cook with Teflon also do not live long. One British housewife learned this from her own experience, from whom an infernal frying pan took away four pets. And back in 2001, scientists from the University of Toronto reported that non-stick Teflon coating affects not only humans, but can also change the chemical composition of the environment, since it releases harmful substances, the decay period of which can be several centuries.

Safe cookware
Is it possible to tell anything about the owner of the kitchen by the utensils she uses to prepare food? There is a lot that can be said. And first of all, does the woman care about the safety and health of her beloved household members?
Teflon
The issue of the safety of Teflon cookware cannot be considered completely resolved. Some studies consider Teflon-coated cookware safe, stating that Teflon does not interact with food even when heated. Other studies state the exact opposite - that when Teflon is heated to 200 degrees, it begins to evaporate from the surface of the cookware, and these fumes are unsafe for the health of the woman who cooks in this cookware (after all, she is always near these fumes). In any case, when choosing Teflon cookware, you need to take into account two important points: firstly, you need to purchase Teflon cookware in branded stores that provide a quality guarantee for the products sold (after all, the use of fake Teflon cookware can lead to serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract even in adults, and especially children). Secondly, when cooking on Teflon cookware, you need to use wooden spatulas and spoons to avoid scratching the Teflon coating.
Enamel
Enameled cookware is also considered safe. And, like Teflon, it requires careful care. Chips and cracks are a death sentence for enamel cookware. Any even minor damage to this cookware can no longer guarantee safety. Because microbes begin to accumulate in the chips, in addition, the food begins to become saturated with metals from the base of the pan, plus an oxidation reaction occurs.
Aluminum
Aluminum cookware is considered unsuitable for cooking because aluminum reacts with food and destroys vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals. You should not stew or fry vegetables or boil milk in it. However, if you have no choice, you can cook, but not store in aluminum cookware I'm going.
Plastic
Plastic dishes are often used for babies, as well as for heating food in the microwave. What's attractive about it is that it doesn't get very hot. hot food and doesn't break. However, not all plastic utensils are safe. Just as in the case of Teflon, plastic utensils should be purchased only in branded stores that are ready to confirm the quality of the products with appropriate certificates. In addition, any chips or scratches on plastic utensils are a reason to replace them. Also, plastic utensils need to be replaced if they have been used for more than three years (three years is the standard shelf life plastic dishes). And also, if plastic tableware contains melamine, this is a serious reason to throw away the tableware or not buy it. Melamine contains formaldehyde, which releases when heated and mixes with food. And food flavored with formaldehyde causes severe irritation to the throat, skin, respiratory tract and lungs. If after washing there is a residue and film on the dishes, this is also a sign that the dishes are no longer safe (this rule applies to any dishes, not just plastic ones).
Stainless steel
Although the dishes are from of stainless steel It is resistant to oxidation, which means that food does not lose taste and vitamins when cooked in it; however, stainless steel cookware cannot be called safe. The fact is that such cookware usually contains nickel. And it is a strong allergen and can provoke the appearance of dermatosis. The same drawback, by the way, also applies to titanium cookware.
Clay, ceramics
Real ceramic tableware heat-resistant and easily withstands high temperatures. But the same cannot be said about low-quality ceramics. Therefore, despite all the environmental friendliness and safety of this cookware (after all, the experience of using it has been proven for centuries), it has two drawbacks - high-quality cookware will be expensive, and clay and ceramics quickly absorb grease, in order to wash it you will have to suffer a lot.
Silicone
Although silicone utensils are unusual (after all, it is so wonderful that after use the plate can be rolled into a tube and stored until next use), it is safe. Silicone is inert, it does not rust or crumble, and does not interact with hot or cold. And in principle, it is quite versatile - in silicone dishes you can cook in the oven, microwave or air fryer, you can freeze food, or you can bake it. Wherein smooth surface has natural non-stick properties. But for self-defense purposes, silicone utensils are useless. This is not a cast iron frying pan (by the way, about cast iron - cast iron cookware is, of course, heavy, but food does not burn in it due to the fact that cast iron heats up slowly and cools down slowly).
Among other things, there are also edible dishes. It is made from bamboo, sugar cane, starch and water. In water, such a plate disappears without a trace in two days, under normal conditions in 180 days. And all sorts of cows will help such dishes disappear in just a couple of minutes. It turns out not only safe, but also effective in the fight for a clean environment. The only “but” is that such dishes can only be used in the microwave and oven.

The advent of Teflon revolutionized the world of cooking. At first, women and cooks could not get enough of the development, thanks to which oil consumption during frying is significantly reduced, and food does not burn at all. But there was a fly in the ointment, and soon everyone began to talk about the dangers of Teflon coating. And it lies in the chemical structure of Teflon and its negative impact on the body.

History of Teflon

American scientist Roy Plunkett worked for the chemical company DuPont in the 1940s, experimenting with fluorine-containing compounds. He created a new polymer - polytetrafluoroethylene, which has increased resistance to thermal, mechanical and chemical influences. Initially, the polymer was used in the military sphere, and 20 years later it found application in the manufacture of tableware.

This is interesting! The word "Teflon" was originally the name trademark from DuPont. Under the nameTeflon, registered in the 60s, sold cookware with a non-stick coating. Subsequently, the brand name became a household name.

It turns out that non-stick coating, which housewives are accustomed to seeing on the bottoms of frying pans and grills, is a fluoropolymer that can withstand temperatures up to 300°C. During cooking, the maximum heating of the cookware reaches only 200°C, so the non-stick coating was initially considered safe.

Where else is Teflon used?

The properties of Teflon have made it indispensable not only in the production of non-stick cookware. The fluoropolymer is neutral with respect to acids and alkalis (does not react with them); it is durable and strong; able to resist microbes; resistant to very high and low temperatures. All this made it possible to use Teflon in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, food and medical industries.

Teflon is found in the skin of aircraft, in computer chips, in medical instruments and even as part of some cosmetics and dental floss. To save yourself from harm, which we’ll talk about a little later, you should pay attention to the composition of the products you buy. If there is Teflon, then the package will say PTFE.

Harm to humans and animals

The chemical composition of Teflon is quite complex. Toxic substances that are included in it, when heated, enter the surrounding air and food. This was known in the 60s, but then it was believed that these substances quickly decompose and become biologically neutral. But it turned out that this was not the case. Already at 200°C, toxins enter the air that can kill birds, so in houses where there is budgies or canaries, the use of Teflon cookware is not recommended.

For Teflon to become dangerous to humans, it must be heated to 300°C, which living conditions can't happen. But when the coating cracks, the pan or grill becomes a health hazard. Mechanical damage on a non-stick coating are formed as a result of thorough cleaning with metal sponges, when using detergents or after washing dishes in dishwasher.

Attention! Improper use of a Teflon frying pan can also lead to damage. It’s not for nothing that manufacturers recommend purchasing additional silicone or wooden spatulas for non-stick cookware, which do not scratch the surface.

Health effects

According to scientific research and based on data from real cases, we can say that the substances released by the Teflon coating can provoke obesity, disrupt the endocrine system and cause risk oncological diseases. The immune system is also at risk: in particular, cholesterol levels may increase.

Children and pregnant women are always included in special group risk. Toxic substances are transmitted from mother to fetus and can cause external defects and congenital diseases of the thyroid gland in the child.

This is interesting! In 2001, UK residents sued the companyDuPont, whose plant branch was located near residential buildings. Among men, the number of cases of prostate cancer has increased sharply, and many women have been diagnosed with reproductive system. It was all due to pollution. Wastewater production waste.

It is unlikely that it will be possible to completely abandon Teflon, because it is a truly unique substance, for which it is not possible to find a replacement in all areas. But doctors urge people to take basic precautions to keep themselves and their families healthy.

1. When buying household goods, make sure that the composition does not contain four letters: PTFE.
2. When using non-stick cookware, strictly follow the instructions for its use.
3. Do not heat the pan before adding oil. Otherwise, the Teflon may overheat and begin to release dangerous toxins.
4. The slightest damage to the bottom of a Teflon-coated frying pan should be a signal that it’s time to throw away the pan.
5. Forget about instant food meant to be reheated in microwave oven(popcorn, pizza, etc.). Such food is packaged in containers containing Teflon. And when heated, it will release toxins directly into the food.

How to care for Teflon cookware

After purchasing a non-stick frying pan or grill, the first thing you need to do is wash it with a soft sponge and a solution of laundry soap. Then you need to dry the dishes, because you cannot put a wet Teflon frying pan on the fire. Drying can be done in air or with a paper towel.

After cooking, do not immediately place hot dishes into water. This may cause the Teflon to deform. You should wait 15-20 minutes.

Teflon utensils should be stored separately from other utensils. Perfect option: hang it by the handle to eliminate the risk of foreign objects scratching both sides of the bottom.

Each time before cooking, you should carefully inspect the non-stick coating for damage.

Alternative to Teflon cookware

To completely protect yourself from the harm that non-stick coating can cause, you can replace all household utensils. Stainless steel, cast iron and enamel cookware can be a good alternative to Teflon. If you use it correctly and monitor the cooking process, then the food will not burn either. And you will be confident in the safety of the prepared dishes.

Teflon– a popular coating for dishes. American scientist Roy Plunkett, working in the DuPont laboratory, accidentally synthesized this polymer. This formula was discovered on April 6, 1938, and since then this material has been widely used as it has helped make people's lives easier. But at the beginning of the 20th century, the harm of Teflon coating was proven. Various studies have been conducted over the years and have found that Teflon material is dangerous to use. The DuPont brand refutes the results of such studies. Can Teflon be used, is it dangerous or not?

What is Teflon? This is the trade name for the synthetic polymer – polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The term Teflon is trademarked by DuPont Corporation. This synthetic is produced in the USA. PTFE is a hydrophobic polymer, meaning it does not stick to water and has one of the lowest coefficients of friction against any solid, which gives him necessary qualities for non-stick cookware. Chemical structure Teflon is very complex, it consists of many substances, some of them are very toxic.

Teflon is a fluoroplastic material, one of the best insulating materials, He:

• has a low coefficient of sliding friction;
• high thermal conductivity and frost resistance;
• does not attract water and fat molecules;
• By chemical resistance surpasses gold and platinum, as well as any synthetic materials and organic solvents;
• melting temperature of Teflon from +260°C.

Teflon generates huge profits, so it quickly became a popular industrial product. Manufacturers of this material are ready to pay multi-million dollar compensation to victims due to the harmful effects of the substances used to produce Teflon, since the huge profits from the production of the popular material easily cover these costs.

Where is Teflon used?

Application of Teflon. is not limited to kitchenware. It is widely used in industrial production. Fluoroplastic is part of the materials from which valves, pumps, and filters are made. In electronics it is used as a dielectric. Teflon is also used in the aerospace industry. It is used in the textile industry to impart water-repellent and dirt-repellent properties to fabrics.

Medical implants such as heart valves are also made using Teflon. Iron surfaces contain this material; they can iron delicate fabrics; they do not stick to the Teflon surface and do not damage the fabric. Teflon is used to cover razor blades and boilers. Rust-free pipes, stain-resistant upholstered furniture and carpets, and many other things with unique properties are made using Teflon. It has become indispensable in the manufacture of packaging for fast food products; they retain their taste for a long time in such a wrapper.

What harm does Teflon have on humans?

Is Teflon harmful to humans? Cookware manufacturers claim that this material is completely safe, but new research results confirm that Teflon is dangerous and toxic for use in the kitchen.

Scientists are greatly concerned about the release perfluorooctanoic acid, one of the most powerful carcinogens. It will be released when the Teflon breaks down.

Laboratory experiments with animals that were injected with high doses of polytetrafluoroethylene led to developmental problems in the subjects: they had low weight, and some experimental subjects developed liver cancer. Birds located near kitchens that use Teflon cookware also do not live long.

Production workers and people living nearby are at great risk. Teflon damages the liver, leads to thyroid dysfunction, and lowers immunity. Teflon toxicity causes a flu-like syndrome in some people. Because fevers mimic the flu, doctors often misunderstand the origin of the illness and misdiagnose it.

Teflon coating is especially dangerous for the health of children. There are cases where Teflon provoked the birth of children with congenital malformations. Teflon increases the risk of liver and thyroid diseases in children.

The dangers of Teflon on kitchen utensils

Many people are happy to buy frying pans and pots with Teflon coating. This non-stick cookware allows you to fry without oil or fat. Teflon frying pan is easy to clean.

Companies that make non-stick cookware claim that if their products are used for their intended purpose, according to the instructions, and they are maintained proper care, the polymer remains inert.

A Teflon-coated frying pan poses an increased danger in the following cases:

• when heated above 230 C;
• dishes with damaged coating.

If you slightly scratch non-stick cookware, do not use it anymore; this polymer lingers in the human body for a long time, gradually destroying it.

What kitchen utensils can be found with Teflon coating:

• in frying pans;
• multicooker bowls;
• pots;
• baking trays.

The heating surfaces of boilers, waffle irons, and toasters are covered with it. Teflon is applied to rolling pins to form an anti-stick surface.

Why are Teflon vapors harmful?

The fumes from the Teflon coating are very harmful and can make you dizzy. Therefore, when cooking in such a container, turn on the ventilation or open the window. If you inhale too much of these fumes, it can cause great harm to your lungs. Teflon vapors settle on carpets, walls, furniture, gradually poisoning the human body, even when the source is eliminated.

The more often we use Teflon cookware, the faster the coating cracks. With steam, harmful substances enter the air, and small particles enter food.

Is it possible to restore the Teflon coating yourself?

In some cities you can find companies that offer to restore Teflon coating. They apply a new layer using special equipment.

But restoring Teflon coatings is a very expensive service. To apply Teflon you need expensive equipment. If your neighbor claims to have restored her kitchen utensils, it's best not to take her advice.

There are also craftsmen who offer to remove Teflon from dishes at home with their own hands, they offer:

• Buy sandpaper discs of different grits;
• Remove the Teflon layer with a drill;
• Polish the pan until it shines.

But many scientists believe that high-quality restoration of Teflon is impossible. You cannot use cookware for its intended purpose with a damaged non-stick coating; if you feel sorry for it, you can use it to store something.

How to avoid Teflon poisoning

For correct use When using non-stick cookware, it is important to ensure that food does not burn in it. Using cookware with scratches is very dangerous: Teflon will get into your food and then into your body. If you have fallen in love with Teflon cookware and do not want to give it up, strictly follow the rules for their use:

• use silicone spoons to stir food to avoid scratching the surface;
• do not use scratched dishes;
• do not heat the pan too much;
• Take proper care of your Teflon frying pan. When cleaning dishes, do not use abrasive detergents or hard sponges.

Look at the photo what Teflon turns into when misuse. It is better not to buy cheap thin non-stick frying pans, they are usually very thin. When heated, the Teflon layer on them cracks easily. A cheap coating without burning or sticking will withstand only a couple of hundred heat treatment cycles. Even if you properly care for such dishes, they still won’t last long.

Competent and complete technology Applying a Teflon coating allows you to create durable non-stick cookware, but it costs much more.

It is better to use Teflon frying pans with a heat-sensitive indicator, which gives a signal when the frying pan heats up to 180 °C. Fillers change the properties of Teflon, so when choosing frying pans, it is recommended to focus on the composition of the coating itself.

Avoid fast food packaged with Teflon or fluoroplate. Fluoroplastic is the same as Teflon. Do not use hair polish, cosmetics, or shaving cream that contains fluoro, perfluoro, or PTFE.

Although Teflon makes life easier, its benefits pale in comparison negative consequences. The American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned the manufacture of Teflon-coated cookware for safety reasons. Experts continue to study the effect of Teflon on human health. In parallel, work is underway to create more safe materials for human health, having all beneficial properties Teflon.

Infectious disease doctor, private clinic “Medcenterservice”, Moscow. Senior editor of the website "Poisoning Stop".

Let's continue the story about what modern dishes are like, what you need to know when buying them, and how to properly care for them so that they last a long time. Now our hero is dishes with polytetrafluoroethylene (polymer or Teflon) coating. We are already accustomed to the fact that in the kitchen she is a full-fledged “tenant”. However, not everything is so smooth in the “Teflon kingdom”. However, let's not get ahead of ourselves - let's talk about everything in order.

The emergence of Teflon

The year was 1938. Roy Plunkett is 27 years old. By this time he was already an educated young man - a chemist. And so, on a sunny, or maybe cloudy, April day, due to production needs, he experimented - he pumped tetrafluoroethylene gas under pressure into special cylinders. It happened in New Jersey, USA. I pumped it up, wiped the sweat from my forehead and left the cylinders to lie for a while, placing them in containers with solid carbon dioxide (“dry ice”) to prevent them from exploding.

After some time, the curious Plunkett connected one of the cylinders to the reaction installation and began to wait, not forgetting to open the valve. However, for some reason the gas did not come out of the cylinder. The concerned scientist checked the functionality of the equipment - everything was normal. There could be no gas leak either. As a result, having carefully opened the cylinder, the scientist was surprised to find some white powder in it instead of gas. The same thing happened with the contents of other cylinders. And their walls were covered from the inside with a paraffin-like substance. The symbiosis of high pressure and low temperature led to the polymerization of the gas. This is how polytetrafluoroethylene was obtained by accident. It turned out that this substance glides perfectly, can withstand relatively high temperatures, and also has high level resistance to aggressive chemical environments.

It's been a while more than a year, polytetrafluoroethylene was patented American company DuPont. Later, in 1946, products under the Teflon brand appeared on the market for the first time - this was the name given to the substance discovered by Plunkett for commercial use.

In what areas has Teflon not been used? It was even used in the manufacture of artificial joints. It is still used today - in electronics, aviation, astronautics, instrument making, and is needed in the production of heating lamps. Teflon coating is even applied to the walls of the captive habitats of flightless insects - the latter are unable to crawl on it due to low friction. But Teflon, of course, owes its fame to dishes. It began to be produced with a non-stick (Teflon) coating in the early 50s of the last century.

IN modern conditions Teflon, if we talk about dishes and kitchen utensils in general, covers various frying pans (including woks), pots, baking sheets, electric grills, boilers, presses for making hot sandwiches, waffle irons, there are even rolling pins coated with Teflon - flour does not stick to them, dough.

Purchasing and caring for Teflon cookware

Since Teflon is only a coating, Teflon cookware can be made of different types: aluminum, cast iron, stainless steel. The coating can be flat or cellular. In the second case, the heating surface increases and the heat is distributed more evenly. In addition, the internal relief pattern reduces the area of ​​contact between food and dishes - there is less chance that food will burn.

When buying cookware with Teflon coating (most often these are frying pans), pay attention to the thickness of the bottom - the thicker it is, the better, within reasonable limits, of course. The thickness of the walls is also important - they should not be too thin either, preferably no thinner than 3 mm. In general, thin pans are cheaper, but they also last three to four years. They heat up quickly, and rapid heating is often uneven. This may cause the cookware to become deformed. Frying pans with a honeycomb bottom work as “breadwinners” for about six years, and the dishes that are the champion in terms of service life are coated with a rough and fairly thick layer of Teflon. Such specimens can last ten years if handled carefully.

Check that the Teflon coating is not damaged. The dishes must be free of dents or bulges. Pay attention to the handle (or handles), to the place where it connects to the “body” of the frying pan or other utensils: damage to the non-stick coating often occurs here.

Manufacturers of cookware with Teflon coating claim that you can cook in it even without oil - food will not burn. Most often this is true, but dishes end up looking much more appetizing if you cook them with a small amount of fat (much less of it or oil is needed when using Teflon-coated cookware). In addition, this is better for the most “non-stick” cookware.

Until recently, it was believed that when cooking in Teflon-coated containers, you should only use wooden spatulas. To avoid scratching the coating. In principle, now a wooden spatula in connection with Teflon cookware has also not lost its relevance - it will not get any worse. But now they produce dishes with a very stable Teflon coating. True, it costs a little more. It is always better to check with the seller the characteristics of the Teflon cookware you are purchasing. It’s a pity, however, that not all sellers are qualified, and not everyone can really help you. That’s why you need to buy any utensils in specialized stores. There, in any case, there is less chance of buying a fake, low-quality product.

Caring for Teflon cookware is as easy as shelling pears. Usually all contaminants are washed off using a soft sponge, liquid detergent And warm water. After all, food in a good Teflon does not burn. Teflon-coated dishes can also be washed in a dishwasher, but it is advisable to select an operating mode for the unit that uses water heated to no more than 50°C. Before using non-stick cookware for the first time, rinse, dry and grease with a small amount of sunflower oil (or boil water in it).

To your health?

Heating to more than 200°C is harmful to any Teflon cookware. Thin, as already mentioned, can be deformed, the non-stick coating will crack. Moreover, when high temperatures Teflon begins to decompose into volatile substances. They may be toxic.

In general, the safety of Teflon for human health is a separate issue. On the Internet, on various forums, you can often come across remarks like this: “The mother-in-law says that it is impossible to cook food for a child in a Teflon-coated container, and in general it is better not to use it. Is it so?". To answer this question, it is worth recalling the half-forgotten, albeit relatively recent, “Teflon scandal” in the United States.

In 2005, numerous lawsuits were filed against DuPont by residents of the United States. The investigation was initiated by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The management of the “Teflon monster” was accused of for a long time hid from everyone the information that Teflon, under certain conditions, contributes to the occurrence of cancerous tumors.

There have been many studies and experiments involving animals. As a result, it was revealed that the Teflon coating, when heated, actually releases substances hazardous to health (in particular perfluorooctanoic acid). The worst thing is that these substances tend to accumulate in the environment, including in the bodies of animals and people. Rats that received perfluorooctanoic acid (in large doses) along with food first lost interest in individuals of the opposite sex, and then developed cancer and died. It was then that perfluorooctanoic acid (substance C-8) was recognized as a strong carcinogen.

Despite these results, DuPont management continued to claim that rats are rats, and the ability of acid to cause cancer in humans has not been proven by anyone. True, the company agreed that if you heat Teflon cookware to 360°C, the Teflon will begin to melt and its evaporation is really, to put it mildly, not good for human health. However, the company reminded that the maximum temperature to which a modern electric stove can be heated is no more than 300°C. Therefore, you should not be afraid of any mass poisoning, you just need not to overheat the frying pan.

Russian scientists, commenting on this situation at the very height of the scandal, stated this: “No one will add a toxic substance to the coating for frying pans, unless, of course, it is some kind of fake. There is homemade vodka that makes people go blind, and in the left frying pan there could be anything, even potassium cyanide.” This is how Boris Korolev, who in 2005 was an associate professor at the Department of Macromolecular Compounds at the Faculty of Chemistry at Moscow State University, answered a question from the newspaper “Novye Izvestia” about the dangers of Teflon. The same publication was told by the autonomous non-profit organization Soyuzexpertiza of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation that “ten years ago we checked Teflon frying pans and did not find anything criminal in them.” However, the source of the information wished to remain anonymous.

As a result, in 2007, after several more studies, at the insistence of the same Environmental Protection Agency (a very influential organization in the United States), a decision was made to limit the production and use of Teflon cookware in the country. The expert opinion, the basis for this decision, was harsh: “in laboratory experiments with animals that were injected with large doses of one of the components of the coating, it turned out that these substances contributed to the occurrence of liver cancer, low birth weight of newborns, caused problems with the immune system and process development".

It was also found that among the products of thermal decomposition of Teflon there are a number of highly toxic compounds. These are, for example, perfluoroisobutylene (very toxic), hexafluoroethane, octafluorocyclobutane, tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and other fluoroolefins, as well as carbonyl fluoride, trifluoroacetic acid and its acid fluoride, hydrogen fluoride and other chemical compounds “useful” for humans.

DuPont had to pay multimillion-dollar compensation to the plaintiffs (it is worth noting that the firm’s lawyers decided not to bring the case directly to court - everything was resolved “amicably”). In addition, DuPont agreed to completely solve the “perfluorooctanoic acid problem” by 2015. It was not possible to find information about any restrictions on Teflon in Russia.

Epilogue

“Culinary Eden,” so as not to give the impression that Teflon cookware is deadly poisonous and kills all living things within a hundred mile radius, as soon as you start cooking in it, emphasizes that only overheated Teflon poses a danger! If you prevent this, there is no reason not to use Teflon cookware (this has been confirmed by numerous studies). It, especially frying pans, which are most often found in our kitchens, can, for example, be used for heating food, for cooking scrambled eggs, for briefly frying potatoes, meat, and fish. It is better to cook in Teflon-coated containers gas stoves- they have the most low temperature heating In any case, do not leave Teflon cookware on the burner for too long.

Try to cook in Teflon containers over low heat or at low power on the electric stove. Nowadays, frying pans and pots are sold with a temperature indicator on the bottom - a thermospot. Changing its brightness (usually a red circle on inside bottom) indicates that the cookware is heating up. When the color becomes saturated - it has already heated up to 180°C - it is time to urgently add food and, possibly, reduce the heating intensity. If you see that the Teflon coating is damaged, throw away such dishes without regret. If you follow these simple rules, Teflon cookware is unlikely to do any harm to your health.

Daniil Golovin

Almost every modern kitchen There are dishes with Teflon coating. Cooking in it is convenient and quite economical. Food does not stick to the surface even without adding oil. Many people consider such cookware to be a godsend, since the taste of food cooked on it is natural. The appearance of such utensils in everyday life has significantly reduced the time required for preparing food.. But is this coating so harmless and is Teflon coating harmful to humans?

What is Teflon

Teflon is complicated chemical compound which resembles plastic. This material is considered the most elastic and slippery, it is widely used in many areas industrial production. This substance can be found in clothing, paper products, plastic food packaging, as well as furniture and many other items that are used daily. Teflon is especially widespread in the production of tableware.

Harmful substances that are released from Teflon when heated tend to accumulate in the body of humans and animals.

Advantages of dishes

Teflon cookware has a lot of advantages over other types of kitchen utensils, which is why many housewives love them so much:

1. Durability – given the material does not interact with alkalis and acids, therefore it lasts a long time, but only if the coating layer is not damaged.
2. Possibility of cooking without oil - cookware with a high-quality non-stick coating allows you to cook food with virtually no added fat.
3. Easy care – cleaning frying pans coated with Teflon requires no effort. This coating is resistant to cleaning agents and washing in the dishwasher.
4. Versatility – Teflon-coated cookware resists pathogenic microorganisms and various enzymes. It withstands high and low temperatures well. Plasticity makes it possible to use this material in conjunction with carbon fibers, coke and glass. This allows you to significantly increase strength, but does not reduce useful qualities at all.

The unique qualities of Teflon have made it simply irreplaceable in many industries. It is used in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, as well as in the production of medical equipment and instruments.

What are the dangers of Teflon cookware?

Many doctors are sounding the alarm about the widespread use of non-stick cookware. Definitely, Teflon coating is harmful to health, especially if the protective layer is of poor quality or deformed.

The danger of using such kitchen utensils is explained by the fact that at high temperatures chemical substances, which contains Teflon, are destroyed and form toxic compounds. These toxins become airborne and enter the lungs of people and pets, which can ultimately lead to health problems. Prolonged inhalation of these toxic substances can cause flu-like symptoms in a person, which is why doctors call this condition Teflon flu.

Manufacturers of Teflon cookware unanimously claim that for toxic compounds to begin to be released, the frying pan must be heated to the maximum temperature. However, independent testing has shown that a Teflon frying pan only needs to sit on low heat for up to 5 minutes to release dangerous toxins into the air.

It is a well-known fact that toxic substances released when a Teflon frying pan is heated can kill pet birds - canaries and parrots. They have more sensitive lungs than humans.

Perfluorinated compounds, including Teflon, are gradually deposited in the human body and have harmful effects to your health. These compounds are quite resistant to degradation and elimination from the body, so a single exposure can cause contamination of the human body for long years. Many experts associate the accumulation of perfluorinated compounds with an increased risk of developing cancer and diseases of the cardiovascular system.

The Teflon coating of the pan heats up to a temperature of 400 °C in just 7-8 minutes. But it is worth remembering that poultry can die if Teflon is heated to 165 °C.

What diseases can Teflon cause?

Toxic substances that Teflon cookware releases when heated penetrate into the human lungs and provoke the development of many dangerous diseases. So, by cooking every day in a cookware with a non-stick layer, a person runs the risk of developing the following ailments:

• overweight;
• oncological diseases of the thyroid gland;
• diabetes;
• deterioration of the immune system;
• infertility;
• cancer of the prostate and other reproductive organs;
• leukemia.

In people who work in production of Teflon products, there is a noticeable increase in organs - liver, spleen and brain.

Stories from our readers

Vladimir
61 years old

Children are especially affected by the acid PFOA, which is released by a harmful polymer. younger age. During experiments on animals, it was revealed that the entire volume of harmful toxin from the body can pass from a pregnant woman to the fetus, which leads to congenital deformities.

How to protect yourself and your family

People do not always realize the harm of Teflon and refuse to use it. And it is simply impossible to remove all things with dangerous polymers from everyday life. After all, it is found not only in dishes, but also on the sole of the iron, in microcircuits, light bulbs, medical instruments, and also on some clothing. Everyone can protect themselves from harmful effects; the main thing is to know some of the features of the polymer:

• It is not recommended to eat semi-finished products that are packaged in Teflon containers. It must be remembered that such dishes should not be heated in the microwave, since toxic substances quickly penetrate into food and then into the human body.
• If possible, Teflon cookware is replaced with cast iron and enamel utensils, as well as stainless steel and ceramics.
• When purchasing household items and clothing, you must always look at the composition of the products; they should not contain Teflon.
• Not worth buying cosmetical tools containing fluoro, perfluoro or PTFE. All these designations indicate the content of harmful polymer.

If a person cannot determine for himself whether Teflon is harmful or not, then he should be safe when using kitchen utensils with a non-stick coating.

How to use Teflon cookware correctly

If the housewife cannot part with her favorite Teflon frying pan and prefers to cook only in it, then she must adhere to a number of rules to minimize the harmful effects on health:

• Do not use any metal objects while cooking food.. You can stir the dish with a special wooden spatula.
• After cooking, the food is immediately poured into enamel, glass or stainless steel containers. The time food stays near Teflon should be minimal.
• Foods that require a long cooking time should be cooked in cast iron pans.
• High-quality Teflon-coated frying pans are equipped with a special indicator on the bottom. You should put food in the pan at the moment when the indicator changes color.
• If possible The heat should be kept to a minimum if food is being cooked in a non-stick pan..

If even the slightest defect is found on the dishes - a crack, scratch or chip, then they throw it away without a second thought. Deformed objects that contain Teflon are very harmful to health.

Some particularly thrifty housewives use non-stick frying pans for years, even if the surface has long been scratched. This is done in order to save money so as not to buy more new frying pan. But we must not forget that the harm from such kitchen utensils is very great and such dubious savings will bring large expenses on restoring health. It is forbidden to cook on damaged cookware, especially if there are children in the family. The children's body is most susceptible to the effects of harmful polymers.

So is it worth using Teflon?

It is undeniable that the century advanced technologies and original innovative solutions made people's lives very comfortable. A person uses the latest developments, which greatly facilitate daily life. But all the positive aspects of these innovations can quickly fade against the background dire consequences. Teflon cookware, beloved by many housewives, can lead to serious illnesses, cause the death of pets and provoke the development of malignant tumors.

A person is not always surrounded by only useful and harmless objects. Following common sense, it is advisable to step away from Teflon cookware for a while or use it with extreme caution. At least until there is evidence that these kitchen utensils do not pose a danger to humans.

Analogs of Teflon cookware

While some housewives argue whether Teflon coating on frying pans is so harmful, others prefer not to use such utensils and prefer analogues. Available in stores a large assortment kitchen utensils, so non-stick cookware can be easily replaced with one whose safety has been proven over the years.

Cast iron frying pans

You should not risk your health and the health of your children by using utensils. of dubious quality With polymer coating. All these same functions can be perfectly performed by a cast iron frying pan, which not only does not harm, but even improves human health.

You can often hear reviews from housewives that such dishes are very difficult to care for. But in fact, she does not need special care. After cooking, it is enough to wash it with running water, then dry it and lubricate it with a thin layer of any fat.

In a well-heated cast iron frying pan, food does not stick either., and over time this property only improves, as the fat gradually forms soot, which serves as a natural non-stick coating.

Cast iron is very durable material. A frying pan made of this metal can serve for decades without defects. Buying high-quality cast iron cookware saves a lot of money, because it has no expiration date and does not require periodic replacement.

Due to the thick walls of cast iron frying pans, heat is distributed more evenly over the entire area. This also affects the taste of products prepared in such dishes. They turn out evenly fried, with a beautiful and golden brown crust. These frying pans are allowed to be used for cooking food in the oven.

When cooking in a cast iron frying pan, the food is enriched with iron particles, which then enters the human body. Cast-iron pan can be a good prevention of anemia.

Frying pans with ceramic coating

Such dishes appeared on the market relatively recently, but have already gained popularity among housewives. Ceramic coating is good alternative Teflon. Ceramics are environmentally friendly clean materials and when heated does not emit toxic substances. Food in such pans does not burn even with high heat.

Cookware with ceramic coating has one significant drawback - it is short-lived. Deformation of a brittle coating occurs faster than Teflon. No matter how high-quality such utensils are, after about 130 food preparations they will have to be scrapped. Although it does not release toxic toxins when deformed, it can no longer be used. Pieces of ceramics can get into your food, which will not only ruin the dish, but can also lead to health problems.

How to choose the right Teflon frying pan

If you really want to get a frying pan with a non-stick coating, then you should follow certain rules choice:

1. There is no need to chase too cheap goods. Most often, fakes from unknown manufacturers are inexpensive, using any materials as a coating, including epoxy resin.
2. It is better to buy a Teflon frying pan in a large shopping center. It should be given a guarantee and instructions.
3. Before purchasing, the product must be carefully inspected for even the slightest deformation. The coating may be damaged during transportation.
4. On dishes High Quality there should be a temperature indicator, fakes usually do not have this detail.

After purchasing a frying pan, you should immediately buy several wooden spatulas for stirring food. Otherwise, it happens that there are no wooden utensils at hand and housewives stir the food with a metal spoon, thereby deforming the coating.

Most housewives have heard about the dangers of Teflon cookware, but at the same time they are in no hurry to give it up. They are attracted by the ease of care of such kitchen utensils, as well as ease of use. Whether to cook food in such pans or not is something everyone must decide for themselves.

Return