Health & Fitness

Are Non-Stick Pans Dangerous?

Under certain cooking conditions, non-stick pans can release toxic fumes. Here's how to stay safe

By Wellness Matters /

If you accidentally leave a non-stick pan over high heat, you should quickly air out the room

Cooking on high heat increases the release of toxic chemicals in non-stick pans

Non-stick cookware is an incredible advance. It allows cooks to use less fat when cooking and makes clean-up a breeze.

However, while non-stick cookware is convenient, studies show that you must be careful about how you use it.

Don’t Leave Your Pan on High Heat

When non-stick pans are left empty (or nearly empty) over very high heat they can release toxic fumes into the air – specifically PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). That’s why, if you accidentally leave a non-stick pan over high heat, you should quickly air out the room.

It’s important to note that cooking at normal temperatures (according to the manufacturer’s instructions) does not release PFOA – even when pans are slightly scratched. In fact, most of the PFOA in the environment (and in humans) is a result of the manufacture of non-stick coatings, not the use of them.

Happily, the industry has agreed to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of PFOAs.

Originally published in Wellness Matters, Canada Wide Media’s quarterly newsletter on health and wellness.