Ditch the Teflon: The Dangers of PFAS Exposure from Cookware

Time to throw out your Teflon cookware! Research and testing have shown that Teflon pans are unsafe and cause illnesses, including Teflon flu. Teflon flu, which is also called polymer fume fever, is a condition where someone gets sick after being exposed to fumes from pans coated in PTFE (“forever chemicals”), according to the National Capital Poison Center. The symptoms of Teflon flu include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and dry cough. Stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron cookware are great alternatives.

PFAS overall continues to affect North Carolina across the state. Forever chemicals are present throughout our state’s waterways, wells, and homes through being dumped in the water, causing pollution, particularly in areas along Cape Fear River from Greensboro to Cumberland County to Wilmington. Unfortunately, long-term exposure to PFAS has been proven to lead to neurological challenges, cancers, and other chronic illnesses. Movies like Dark Waters give a real depiction of the effects of PFAS and Teflon and highlight the cumulative community impacts of PFAS pollution. We encourage you to acquire effective water filters (Zero Water filters are great) for your household and test your water/wells to ensure you are drinking safe water.