Over the past 20 years, more than 3,600 cases of suspected cases of polymer fever, also known as "Teflon fever," have been reported in the United States. It is a flu-like illness caused by non-stick pans. In 2023, 267 such cases were identified, the most since 2000. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Many non-stick pans are made with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, also known as Teflon). PTFE is a member of a large class of substances called PFAS, "perpetual chemicals" that retain their ability to perform for years.
Studies have shown that PTFE non-stick pans themselves are safe for cooking if used according to the instructions. However, at temperatures above +300°C, the coating of the pans can break down and cause harmful fumes that can lead to illness.
While there is relatively little official confirmation of polymer fever, Marianne Amirshahi, co-director of the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, D.C., says there are likely many more cases of infection. However, because of the symptoms, including fever and headache, which are very similar to the common cold, the diagnosis can be misleading.
Chemours, the company that owns the Teflon trademark, said in a statement that scientific data shows that the materials used for non-stick pans are safe and that "numerous studies show that they do not accumulate in the body and are quickly excreted from the body in case of accidental ingestion."
Despite the company's claim, studies have confirmed that the non-stick coating on some pans can degrade at high temperatures and release very complex mixtures of oxidized, fluorinated substances.
Experts caution that nonstick pans should never be preheated, and that they are safe for typical cooking methods over low to medium heat that do not result in high temperatures. Polymer fever can occur in people who leave a heated pan unattended and for long periods of time, so use nonstick pans with caution.
Another tip for owners of non-stick pans is to use wooden, silicone, or nylon spoons when cooking, as hard materials can scratch the surface, which can also cause polymer fever.