Forever Chemicals and How to Go Forward

PFAS have been called forever chemicals because their unique makeup means they never break down. They are so persistent that they remain in the air, our drinking water, dust, and soil, and they continue to show up in our food and water supply long after they first came into contact. The problem is that once they enter our bodies, they remain forever. And, because we’re now aware of the damage they cause, there’s no going back.

But, we can go forward. Being an aware and educated consumer means you can make healthier choices about the cookware you use at home and the products you purchase. Food systems expert Anna Lappé (daughter of Frances Moore Lappé, author of the bestselling book Diet for A Small Planet) once stated “Every time you spend money, you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want.” If we want a world free of these harmful chemicals, we have to vote with our dollars. That starts with stocking your kitchen and pantry with safe alternatives to PFAS.

Trying to find some cookware for the holidays but don’t know where to search? Check out de Buyer!

Are Nonstick Pans Safe?

One of the most widespread tools used in anyone’s kitchen is the nonstick pan, often composed of carbon steel. It’s perfect for a wide variety of tasks, ranging from cooking eggs to browning some meet - everyone wants a pan and everyone needs a pan! They’ve been a staple of American kitchens for many years, and most don’t think twice about them. Nonstick pans are, after all, found in many bigbox stores, and are widely available to the average consumer. 

Many people may wonder whether or not they’re safe to use - you just buy one and use it, right? However, it might not be that simple. As we’ve discussed, PFAS are very harmful, and are something that should be avoided. It used to be the case that the Teflon products found within nonstick pans contained PFAS, causing many health risks and worries among the American populace.
A many decades-long investigation was done into the topic, and it was found that nonstick pans are in fact safe of PFOAS. SInce 2013, PFOAS have been free from being present within cooking pans, and production has stopped.

What About PFAS?

This is where things get a little bit tricky. PFAS may still be present in cooking pans, with research still being done as to what role they play in affecting human health, and how they cause harm to people. We have to still await the results of further research before we make any firm conclusions into how PFAS affect our famous household cookware.

Are There Any Other Dangers of Teflon?

While we’ve covered in-depth PFOAS and PFAS, there’s other concerns to be had about using Teflon. At 500 degrees Fahrenheit (or 260 degrees Celsius), Teflon starts to break down from the heat and release some harmful chemicals into the air. These chemicals may then lead to what’s known as Teflon flu.

Teflon flu has generally mild side effects like chills, fever, headaches, and body-aches. It typically takes between 4-10 hours after exposure to begin feeling anything, with this being resolved within 12-48 hours after the onset. However, in rare cases, more serious things like lung damage have been reported.

All in all, it depends largely on how you prepare and use Teflon. If you’re safe and mindful of the temperatures you cook at, you should be okay, but if you enjoy to cook at very high temperatures, then do beware that there could be some harmful effects. 

How To Alleviate Risks While Cooking with Nonstick Tools

There’s some basic things you can do to alleviate your risk if you’re going to be using nonstick tools to cook. By following these tips, you should be okay to avoid any safety issues with using nonstick products, especially those containing Teflon.

Make sure you don’t preheat an empty pan, as this can cause temperatures to rise to dangerously high levels. Also avoid cooking on high heat and stick to using low or medium, this will avoid the temperature getting too high to handle. Make sure you ventilate your kitchen so that way any fumes can quickly go outside into the air, and make sure to always wash your hands to get the excess residue off. Also be sure to replace any old cookware that you may be using.

Are There Safe Alternatives?

The answer is a resounding yes! And thankfully, options are abundant and at your fingertips. Safe alternatives to PFAS, some using coatings like ceramic or PTFE and others taking advantage of the seasoning process to create natural nonstick properties, have proven just as effective at repelling water and grease, as well as simplifying cooking and cleanup.

At de Buyer, our products do not contain these chemicals. All of our cookware and bakeware, even our nonstick, is PFAS-free. Our specially designed nonstick CHOC collections will keep your family and your food safe while making cooking and cleanup easy. Pro Tip: Be sure to use non-abrasive utensils so as not to damage the nonstick properties. 

Related: Stainless Steel vs Copper Cookware