Teflon Flu
Saturday, September 26th, 2009Part 1 of Blogadilla’s Medica Obscura
TEFLON FLU – influenza-like symptoms resulting from exposure to the noxious fumes and byproducts of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE): commercially known as “Teflon.” Symptoms include malaise, fever, chills, nausea, aches, cough and other respiratory maladies. By 392ºF Teflon-coated cookware can emit fluorocarbon gases, by 550ºF the Teflon will begin to deteriorate and powderize, and by 680ºF it will generate toxic fumes. In a 20/20 news demonstration, frying bacon in a Teflon pan reached 500ºF. These fumes are known to be lethal to birds.
One of the noxious byproducts of Teflon degradation is perfluoroocatnoate (PFOA), sometimes known as “C8.” PFOA is a known carcinogen – associated with liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancers. It has been associated with infertility and it has toxic effects on the liver, immune system, and can effect thyroid hormone levels. Here is the scary part – PFOA has been found in the blood serum of most Americans. Aside from Teflon cookware, PFOA has been found in microwave popcorn bags. In an exposé by 20/20, a DuPont representative admitted awareness of “teflon flu” . . . and so they have provided this detailed vague and helpful useless page on their website.
