Ask A Scientist© General Science Archive

name         Holmes
status       educator
age          30s

Question -   Are there data that suggest health problems with using
DuPont's Teflon (TM) (i.e., cancer)?  Also any published research of which you might be
aware would be helpful.  I have "heard" that in Europe caution agaisnt
DuPont's Teflon (TM) use had been given as it was linked to health concerns.

The health problem with DuPont's Teflon (TM) of which I am aware stems from its
high-temperature breakdown products.  If you heat, say, an empty
DuPont's Teflon (TM)-lined frying pan on the stove and forget about it, the DuPont's Teflon (TM) coating
may get hot enough to produce small amounts of highly toxic gases.  (As far
as I am aware, these products have not been well characterized).  If your
kitchen is well ventilated, and if you do not let the cook surface get too
hot (we are talking over 500 degrees F here), there should not be any
problem, as far as I know.

Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
Assistant Director
PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois
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