Causes, instances, signs and prevention
Non-stick frying pans, Dutch ovens and saucepans have been common for years, however the cookware that’s handy and simple to wash has additionally been linked to some well being issues – and there are indications that extra individuals are noticing.
In 2023, there have been 267 reviews of suspected polymer fume fever reported to Poison Management Facilities across the U.S., in line with America’s Poison Facilities, which represents the 55 accredited poison management facilities across the nation. The group added that the reported instances weren’t all confirmed nor did each affected person report signs. The Poison Facilities’ data additionally famous that some sufferers could have been uncovered to chemical substances at work.
The variety of instances reported in 2023 almost tripled from only a few years earlier and whereas it displays a small portion of Individuals, specialists say it may be troublesome to measure the true variety of people who find themselves probably impacted.
“Numerous the signs can resemble different sickness like influenza and different viral infections, folks may not notice that their signs are linked to their cookware,” Melissa Dibble, a spokesperson on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention advised USA TODAY. “Poison facilities could have details about the variety of calls that they’ve obtained about these exposures.”
Polymer fume fever, also called “Teflon Flu,” is used to explain the flu-like signs an individual can get after being uncovered to fumes usually from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PTFE-coated non-stick cookware has a polymer coating that stops meals from sticking within the pans whereas cooking. This materials additionally makes the cookware straightforward to scrub. Nonetheless, at regular cooking temperatures cookware set scan launch poisonous gases and chemical substances, in line with an article in the Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH) revealed by the Nationwide Middle for Biotechnology Data.
USA TODAY reached out to Teflon for remark however didn’t obtain a response previous to publication.
Here’s what you have to learn about Teflon Flu.
Chook flu:Is widening its attain. Maps present US counties affected by outbreak.
What’s polymer fume fever?
Polymer fume fever or Teflon Flu is brought on by inhaling fumes from burning plastic and polymer merchandise together with polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE, the Poison Management explains.
“Teflon flu is a selected sort of polymer fume fever,” Dr. Kait Brown, medical managing director at America’s Poison Facilities, advised USA TODAY. “It’s a flu-like sickness that happens from inhaling fumes from polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) that has been heated past its beneficial most temperature.”
Signs of Teflon Flu
In keeping with the Poison Middle, folks can really feel the next signs after inhaling fumes from PTFE-coated merchandise:
- headache
- fever or elevated temperature
- shivering or chills
- muscle aches or cramps
- weak spot
- coughing
- thirst
- nausea
- sweating
- dangerous or disagreeable style
As well as, Brown mentioned that signs often final between one to 2 days.
Dibble provides that these fumes might be dangerous to pets as effectively.
“Fumes launched when PTFE is heated to excessive temperatures might be dangerous to animals equivalent to pets,” she mentioned. “Animals with fragile respiratory techniques, equivalent to birds, are usually extra inclined to those fumes.”
What number of instances of PTFE have been reported?
In keeping with knowledge collected by the Poison Facilities, these are the variety of instances which have been reported since 2018:
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What’s the correct temperature for these cookware gadgets?
Brown advises that everybody ought to, “comply with the beneficial most temperature supplied with their cookware.”
“Usually, don’t depart an empty Teflon pan on excessive warmth and don’t use in ovens hotter than 500 levels Fahrenheit,” Brown mentioned. “Use a kitchen exhaust fan whereas cooking if doable.”
NIH report particulars the indicators and signs of Teflon Flu
In December 2012, the NIH revealed a case report a few 29-year-old Japanese man who had flu-like signs after inhaling evaporation from a PTFE-coated cooking pan.
Whereas making ready lunch round 11:00 a.m. the person fell asleep and left a pan of boiling water for his pasta on the range. 5 hours later, the person awoke and observed white smoke, the report mentioned.
The report mentioned that after getting up the person labored to extinguish the fireplace and introduced the burned pan to the sink to run water on it. Doing this prompted an explosive vapor to come back from the pan which he inhaled. A number of hours later the person felt fatigue, had a cough and had bother respiratory. He then sought medical consideration.
After displaying the docs photos of the burned pan and the signs that he exhibited, the medical employees decided that polymer fume fever was current. He was then handled with oxygen inhalation and saved on the hospital for statement. The subsequent day, his signs considerably improved and by the third day his signs had been gone, the report mentioned.
In the event you consider you will have Teflon Flu or could also be uncovered to another poisonous chemical substances, name the Poison Management at 1-800-222-1222 for speedy help.
Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the Nationwide Trending Workforce at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking information, automobile remembers, crime, well being, lottery and public coverage tales. Electronic mail her at aforbes@gannett.com. Observe her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.
