Why is Teflon bad and what is the alternative: is Teflon cookware harmful?

Teflon has become so firmly established in our daily life that no housewife can imagine a kitchen without a Teflon-coated frying pan or saucepan. It's so convenient! Food does not burn even with minimal oil use. However, not everyone knows about the harm that Teflon does to our body.

Is Teflon Cookware Harmful?

Scientists started talking about the dangers of teflon-coated dishes back in the last century. And the agency "EPA" from the United States, specializing in environmental protection, has demanded to ban its release. However, manufacturers claim that, subject to all operating rules, Teflon pans do not pose any threat to human health.

Let's figure it out.

Reference! Teflon is the trade name for polytetrafluoroethylene, a synthetic polymer registered by the American company DuPont. Due to its excellent insulating properties, Teflon is widely used. And kitchenware is just one of its uses.

Pans and pans, multicooker bowls and baking trays, waffle makers and toasters can all be Teflon coated.

As long as the rules of use and care are followed, Teflon remains in an inert (safe) state. But one has only to heat the pan to 260 degrees, Teflon begins to break down, while releasing perfluorooctanoic acid - one of the most powerful carcinogens.

The same happens if the Teflon coating is damaged (scratched, burnt). The more often we use Teflon cookware, the more microcracks form on it, the more dangerous it becomes.

Teflon vapors can cause dizziness. By settling on walls and furniture, they continue to poison us, even if we got rid of Teflon dishes long ago. The most dangerous diseases caused by Teflon are oncology and congenital malformations in newborn children.

Some people, in order to save money, try to repair the damaged Teflon coating themselves. However, it is impossible to do this at home. Some companies offer a new Teflon coating service. But, firstly, this is a complicated procedure, and, secondly, you need expensive specialized equipment.

To somehow neutralize the harm from teflon-coated dishes, you can adhere to the following rules:

1. Use silicone spoons when cooking and avoid using abrasive sponges when washing dishes to avoid damaging the integrity of the coating.
2. If, nevertheless, chips, scratches, cracks appear on the dishes, do not use it. Trust me, the price of a new frying pan is much lower than the value of your health.
3. Do not preheat the pan too much.

These simple tips will only save you from the harm of Teflon for a while. Maybe there is another solution?

Alternative to Teflon

You can completely get rid of the teflon-coated dishes and switch to steel and ceramics:

1. Ceramic coated dishes. The best replacement for Teflon. It has excellent non-stick properties. It is also corrosion and scratch resistant. Allows you to fry at temperatures up to 450 degrees. Easy to operate and maintain. And most importantly, it is absolutely safe for human health.
2. Carbon steel cookware. Its main advantage is that it has no limitations in terms of service life. But at the same time it does not have non-stick qualities at all. That is, pour in more oil - and fry. Such dishes are also susceptible to corrosion, therefore, after each wash, they need to be thoroughly dried.
3. Stainless steel cookware. Similar to the previous option, but it is convenient to stew food in it and you can even store cooked food in the refrigerator.

Although dishes with a Teflon coating have a lot of positive qualities, only one of its properties - health hazards - negates all its advantages.

Scientists around the world continue to study Teflon and are trying to find a worthy replacement for it. But all these discoveries will come true in the future. And you need to take care of your health here and now. Start small: your home, kitchen, utensils. And be healthy!