Teflon Flue : In this era of modernity, man has become extremely convenience-obsessed. In earlier times, women used to spend the whole day cooking food, but nowadays food for 4-5 people can be cooked in just half an hour. Every thing in the kitchen has become modern. From fridge, oven, electric stove, cooker to non-stick pan. But you will be surprised to know that most of these things cause harm. Recently, the Indian Institute of Nutrition had advised in its guidelines not to cook food in non-stick utensils. Now America is paying the price for it. So far, 267 people in America have had to be hospitalized due to Teflon flu. Teflon flu occurs when toxic smoke comes out of a non-stick pan when it is heated.
due to teflon flu
According to the Daily Mail report, Teflon fume is called polymer fume fever. In this disease, headache, body ache, fever and shivering due to cold starts. Experts believe that if food is not cooked properly using non-stick utensils, then it can cause Teflon flu. This happens when the non-stick utensil gets heated more than necessary. When it starts getting too hot, then chemical starts leaking from its coating. This disease occurs due to this chemical. This chemical gets mixed in the air and reaches the lungs of the people present there. This causes a flu-like disease which is called polymer fume fever.
This chemical does not break down
Actually, non-stick utensils contain the forever chemical PFAS. It takes hundreds of years for this chemical to completely break down. When this chemical enters the body, it is neither digested nor broken down. This causes a lot of trouble to the lungs. Scientists have not yet been able to understand why the molecules of this chemical do not break down. The symptoms of Teflon flu start appearing as soon as the chemical reaches the lungs or after some time.
what is teflon
Teflon is a synthetic chemical made by combining carbon and fluorine molecules. It is called polytetrafluoroethylene. It is non-reactive and its surface is frictionless. That is why it is used in non-stick pans.
How does the disease spread
Polytetrafluoroethylene or Teflon chemical never gets destroyed. Although when a non-stick pan is heated up to 260 degrees, it does not release any chemical, but when it is heated more than this, the pan starts leaking and smoke starts coming out of it. Oxidized fluorinated substance starts coming out of it. When it goes into the lungs, it has a very harmful effect.
Symptoms of Teflon Fever
When someone gets Teflon fever, he starts having complaints like fever, cold, cough, heaviness in the chest, difficulty in breathing, headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Apart from this, muscle pain and joint pain also start.
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Tags: health, health tips, Lifestyle
FIRST PUBLISHED : July 24, 2024, 15:26 IST
