Video:Is Teflon Cookware Safe?

Transcript:Is Teflon Cookware Safe?

Hi I’m Christopher Padgett, an environmental scientist, for About.com and today we’ll be talking about the environment. Everyday people may be cooking their food with Teflon cookware. While these nonstick cooking products are easy to cook with, they may be a health risk.

Teflon Cookware and Chemicals

Teflon cookware has become a favorite among consumers because they are nonstick, and can be cleaned very easily. However, when you cook with these products, they can emit fumes that can cause you to get sick. Also, some Teflon can flake off into your food as you cook it. These flakes are non-toxic and would pass through the body without being absorbed, but you should still be aware of it.

However, some experts will debate it. According to DuPont, the finished Teflon products do not contain any production process chemicals linked to health problems in factory workers. The EPA has also chimed in saying that they do not believe there is any reason for consumers to stop using any non-stick products. However, there is one thing to consider when using Teflon products. If you have a pet bird, the fumes from the food could cause it to get sick. While Teflon may not affect humans that much, it can actually make a bird very sick or even kill it.

If you do continue to use Teflon products, the maximum temperature for the cookware is 500 degrees Fahrenheit or 260 Celsius. If you do cook at these temperatures it can discolor the cookware or cause it to lose some of its non-stick properties.

Teflon Cookware Alternatives

If you plan on ridding your home of your Teflon cookware, here are some alternatives. Stainless Steel and Cast Iron. Many chefs will agree that stainless steal brown foods better than the non-stick cookware. They are also very easy to clean, and they are corrosion resistant. They are considered the best and safest choice to cook with. Cast Iron is also a nice alternative. Cast iron cookware can be preheated and can withstand very hot oven temperatures compared to the non-stick cookware. It is also extremely durable.Copper and aluminum are also alternatives that can be used rather than Teflon.

Hopefully now you have a better idea about Teflon cookware. Thanks for watching. If you’d like to learn more please visit us on the web at About.com.