Lately there has been an awakening about the dangers of Teflon towards birds. Teflon is actually DuPonts trademarked name for Tetrafluoroethylene which is found most commonly in non-stick cookware. Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) is not only found in the fumes of Teflon products, but other brands of product as well.
Like carbon monoxide, PTFE is odorless and invisible. It travels through the air unnoticed. In humans, PTFE causes flu-like symptoms; in birds PTFE kills.
All birds have sensitive respiratory systems and PTFE poisoning can cause a traumatic and painful death to birds. There has been much debate over the exact temperature at which these fumes occur. Originally it was believed that PTFE poisoning only occurred when Teflon and other similar products were heated to extremely high temperatures. But lately it has been reported happening with temperatures below 300 degrees F.
You may be thinking that you only use your nonstick pots and pans at low temperatures so you will be safe. Dont make that assumption. A day may come when you may accidentally leave a pan on a hot burner or your kids or someone helping you out at a party may not know and cook something at a high temperature and by the time the mistake is realized it may be too late.
PTFE fumes can be emitted from many other common household products; PTFE is commonly found in:
Nonstick Cookware(This includes non-stick coatings known as Teflon, Silverstone, T-Fal, Supra, Resistal, etc.) Irons with Nonstick Sole Plates Portable Heaters Stir Fryers/Wok Pizza Pans Non-stick Stainless Steel Self Cleaning Ovens Heat Lamps and Bulbs Breadmakers Curling Irons Hair Dryers Cookie Sheets Griddle Pans and Skillets Stovetop Burners Wafflers Deep Fryers Crock Pots Roasting Pans Cake Pans and Molds Coffee Makers And More .
Like carbon monoxide, PTFE is odorless and invisible. It travels through the air unnoticed. In humans, PTFE causes flu-like symptoms; in birds PTFE kills.
All birds have sensitive respiratory systems and PTFE poisoning can cause a traumatic and painful death to birds. There has been much debate over the exact temperature at which these fumes occur. Originally it was believed that PTFE poisoning only occurred when Teflon and other similar products were heated to extremely high temperatures. But lately it has been reported happening with temperatures below 300 degrees F.
You may be thinking that you only use your nonstick pots and pans at low temperatures so you will be safe. Dont make that assumption. A day may come when you may accidentally leave a pan on a hot burner or your kids or someone helping you out at a party may not know and cook something at a high temperature and by the time the mistake is realized it may be too late.
PTFE fumes can be emitted from many other common household products; PTFE is commonly found in:
Nonstick Cookware(This includes non-stick coatings known as Teflon, Silverstone, T-Fal, Supra, Resistal, etc.) Irons with Nonstick Sole Plates Portable Heaters Stir Fryers/Wok Pizza Pans Non-stick Stainless Steel Self Cleaning Ovens Heat Lamps and Bulbs Breadmakers Curling Irons Hair Dryers Cookie Sheets Griddle Pans and Skillets Stovetop Burners Wafflers Deep Fryers Crock Pots Roasting Pans Cake Pans and Molds Coffee Makers And More .
