Teflon is a material that is talked about mainly in the context of its harmfulness. Apparently, a heated coating of this material gives off poisonous fumes, and a scratched Teflon pan is carcinogenic. Meanwhile, everyday use of Teflon is completely safe. How it's possible? Check what application Teflon has found and when it can be really harmful to he alth.
Teflonis a trade name for a very commonly used chemical - polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Teflon was invented in 1938 by Dr. Roy Plunkett, who worked for DuPont in New Jersey.
PTFE was created by accident during research into a new coolant. At one point, the scientist noticed that tetrafluoroethylene gas was released from the bottle. He weighed it before refilling it and found that the weight of the bottle was slightly different.
Interested in the phenomenon, he checked what is inside on the surface of the bottle. It was a slippery, waxy substance - Teflon. The sale of Teflon was started in 1946 by Chemours - a daughter company of DuPont.
Teflon has been used as a coating in pans, pots and kitchen utensils since the 1960s. Chemours continues to improve its flagship product, making it even more resistant to scratching, damage, peeling and chipping, and extending the life of the accessories in which it is used.
Teflon - properties
The entire large molecule is made up of only two elements: carbon, which forms the Teflon chain, and fluorine, which is the carbon substituent. PTFE has numerous properties, thanks to which it has been widely used. These include:
- very high melting point - Teflon melts at a temperature above 327 degrees C, making it very resistant to damage and destruction under the influence of heat
- hydrophobicity - PTFE is a substance resistant to water absorption, and even repulsive
- Chemical Inertia - PTFE will not react with most existing chemicals. Reacts only with alkali metals and fluorine at high temperatures
- low coefficient of friction - Teflon has one of the lowest coefficients of friction among solid bodies. This means that nothing sticks to it
- high bending strength - PTFEis a very flexible material, which allows it to be applied to any surface without losing its integrity
Teflon - application
Teflon is most often associated with non-stick pans first. However, the material can be found literally anywhere - in fabrics and carpets to prevent staining, nail polish, hair styling products, inside pipes in installations that come into contact with corrosive chemicals, lubricants, dentures and even atomic bombs.
Where is Teflon used?
- in utensils and kitchen utensils, e.g. pans, pots, baking molds, spoons, spatulas, scoops etc. Prevents food from sticking to the surface of the dishes, making it easier to wash them
- in small household appliances as a non-stick coating, e.g. in toasters, waffle makers
- in food packaging
- in clothes intended, for example, for sports, hiking, etc. Thanks to the Teflon layer, the fabrics become resistant to dirt from water, grease or dust and more durable
- in textiles covering sofas and armchairs, increasing resistance to stains and dirt
- in stain-resistant tablecloths
- in scrub-resistant wall paints, in wood paint
- in spectacle lenses to eliminate glare that interferes with vision
- as a cycling lubricant, lubricant for chains, gears, brakes and shift levers that provides lubricity while repelling dirt
- in car wipers makes them more durable, quieter and more precise
- in dentistry, prosthetics, in threads for cleaning teeth
- in implants and prostheses used in surgery
Teflon - effect on he alth
Teflon is considered to be completely safe for he alth. This is confirmed by toxicological studies. There is no mechanism of toxicity for orally administered PTFE. The lack of toxicity is most likely due to three factors:
- PTFE is not absorbed in the intestinal lumen due to its very high molecular weight (1,000,000 to 10,000,000 d altons)
- PTFE is chemically inert under physiological conditions
- PTFE is not metabolized.
Teflon is not carcinogenic or genotoxic. It does not disturb male and female fertility in any way and does not affect the course of pregnancy.
It is also not an allergen and does not stimulate the immune system. It does not cause skin allergies. PTFE does not cross the blood-brain barrier even when injected directly into the blood. There is no actionneurotoxic.
Numerous studies have ruled out any harmfulness of Teflon to he alth. They also showed that it is excreted from the body with faeces unchanged.
Is a scratched Teflon pan harmful?
Teflon, or rather PTFE, used as a non-stick coating in pans, pots and kitchen accessories prevents food from sticking and burning during cooking and makes cleaning easier, because dirt from the Teflon coating comes off more easily.
PTFE-coated cookware allows you to use less fat during frying or eliminate it completely, which is especially important for people who must follow an easily digestible diet and a diet that reduces fat. Currently used modern high-quality Teflon does not require manual washing. Pans with this coating are dishwasher safe. The maximum temperature to which Teflon-coated dishes can be heated is 250 degrees C.
Above this temperature, toxic gases begin to be released, which have a negative impact on he alth, and melting of PTFE takes place at temperatures above 350 degrees C. However, the temperatures during frying do not usually exceed 220 degrees C. therefore the he alth risk is low likely.
Each, even the best Teflon coating, after some time of use begins to peel off and chip off. It can also be accidentally scratched when using unsuitable cooking accessories. Are Teflon chips that end up in food harmful? No, Teflon itself is completely harmless as it is not digested, metabolized or absorbed. It is completely indifferent to he alth and is completely excreted from the body along with the faeces.
The he alth risks that may arise from using scratched pans with damaged Teflon coatings may be related to the easier release of PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) - a compound that is still used in the production of Teflon. PFOA participates in the production of Teflon from which it is removed.
However, small amounts of PFOA remain in Teflon. This compound is classified as potentially carcinogenic to humans. Since 2015, the largest Teflon producer in the world has eliminated PFOA from the production process. However, incl. in China it is still widely used.
Is PFOA a real he alth risk? Research estimates that exposure to this compound from the misuse of scratched pans and their overheating is the least important source of PFOA in the body.
Larger amounts end up in the body as a result of contact with covered carpetsnon-stick coating, home textiles and clothes. There is no need to give up the use of Teflon pans and other kitchen utensils. However, they should not be overheated.
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Aleksandra Żyłowska-Mharrab, dietician Food technologist, dietitian, educator. A graduate of Biotechnology at the Gdańsk University of Technology and Nutritional Services at the Maritime University. A supporter of simple, he althy cuisine and conscious choices in everyday nutrition. My main interests include building permanent changes in eating habits and individually composing a diet according to the body's needs. Because the same thing is not he althy for everyone! I believe that nutritional education is very important, both for children and adults. I focus my activities on spreading knowledge about nutrition, analyze new research results, and make my own conclusions. I adhere to the principle that a diet is a lifestyle, not strict adherence to meals on a sheet of paper. There is always room for delicious pleasures in he althy and conscious eating.
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