Do non-stick pans cause cancer? What alternatives are there?

A documentary film released in 2018 - 'The Devil We Know', has revealed the amazing secret hidden behind the non-stick pan for more than half a century. Is non-stick pan now at risk of cancer? What alternatives are there to non-stick pans?

Teflon non-stick coating itself is not toxic, but in the production process, some unscrupulous companies may illegally use PFOA, which puts non-stick pans at risk of cancer.

t hospital in the United States. However, the appearance of the boy Bucky made everyone present at that time terrified when he had only one nostril, jagged eyelids in one eye and keyhole-shaped pupils in the other, he also unable to breathe normally.

Bucky's mother is terrified, but instead of giving up on her son, she tries her best to save him. As a result, Bucky continued to have surgery, enduring immense pain and strange stares from others.

At a farm near Bucky's house, strange things happened one after another, the farmer Tennant discovered fish in the river and deer in the river died unusually. The cows on the farm also look very strange: Deformed hooves, some cows have red eyes, some cows arch their backs, enlarged gallbladders, etc. Not only that, but later this number of cows died, a total of more than 150 animals.

There was also an old man named Ken Walmsley who was diagnosed with cancer and had to have his entire rectum and part of his colon removed. His colleagues, some diagnosed with leukemia and some with cancer, have all died in their 40s and 50s. 

In 1998, attorney Robert Bilott came to investigate the unusual death of cows on the farm of Mr. Tennant farmer.

The results found that DuPont Chemical Corporation added PFOS and PFOA to the Teflon coating when manufacturing non-stick pans. PFOA is a carcinogen and has been strongly linked to pancreatic cancer, testicular cancer, liver cancer, and other cancers.

Although knowing that PFOA is a carcinogen, for the sake of interests, DuPont Corporation defied immorality and always insisted that PFOA was harmless, even using various ways to hide the truth. They dumped thousands of tons of toxic waste water into a landfill next to Mr. Tennant's ranch, along with the waste water and exhaust emissions in Parkersburg, Chesapeake, Ohio.

And not just water or air, this toxic chemical has entered every home through household items, like non-stick pans. When the truth was exposed, DuPont Group was strongly condemned, many countries around the world also began to ban PFOA.

Since this event, when it comes to non-stick pans, people always automatically associate it with cancer.

Are non-stick pans still at risk of cancer?

In the past, non-stick pans had a carcinogenic risk because DuPont Group added PFOA in violation of the for-profit regulation. Today, modern nonstick cookware is generally considered safe. The American Cancer Society states that there is no proven risk to humans from the new PFOA-free nonstick cookware. So, as to whether it causes cancer depends mainly on whether it meets the standard or not.

Teflon Non-Stick Coating is a Polymer, made up of Tetrafluoroethylene, which can resist heat, cold, acids and alkalis, and can resist the corrosion of almost any Plastic King. Teflon itself is not toxic.

Does the non-stick coating of the pan decompose toxic substances when heated?

To test this, the researchers did an experiment showing that Teflon starts to decompose when the temperature is above 300℃. Different temperatures, different decomposition products, different toxicity.

With increasing temperature, toxicity peaks when Teflon is completely decomposed. However, normally we cook, when the oil temperature is suitable for cooking, the temperature in the pot is only about 120°C.

At about 200°C, the cooking oil in the pot begins to smoke, which means it has reached the 'smoke point' of the cooking oil. When it is close to 300℃, the smoke smell is very strong, moreover, the temperature is too high, it will also cause the oil to release harmful substances.

Therefore, using a regular non-stick pan in daily life will not cause Teflon to decompose, so when using a non-stick pan you do not have to worry too much about emitting toxic substances.

How should we maintain the non-stick pan?

1. It is recommended to use wooden, silicone or plastic utensils to safely protect the non-stick coating. Metal utensils, sharp objects such as ladles or cooking shovels can cause scratches on the non-stick surface.

2. Do not heat the pan empty. Pans with nothing inside can reach high temperatures within minutes, potentially causing the release of polymer fumes. Make sure you have some food or liquid in the pan before heating.

3. Cook over medium or low heat and avoid grilling, as this cooking technique requires a higher temperature than recommended for nonstick cookware.

4. After using the non-stick inner pot, the temperature in the inner pot is still relatively high, it is not recommended to rinse it with cold water immediately, otherwise it will cause thermal expansion and contraction, damage the inner wall, and peel off the coating. non-stick.

5. Gently wash the pan with a sponge and dish soap and warm water. Avoid using steel scouring pads as they can scratch the surface.

Alternatives to non-stick pans

Teflon itself is not toxic, but in the production process, some unscrupulous companies may illegally use PFOA, which puts non-stick pans at risk of cancer.

According to Healthline, you can try some of the Teflon-free alternatives below:

1. Stainless steel: Stainless steel is a great material for pan frying and cooking food. It is durable and scratch resistant. It's also dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean.

2. Cast iron cookware: When properly 'baked' (with cooking oil), cast iron will naturally not stick. It also holds up for a long time and can withstand higher temperatures than is considered safe for non-stick pots and pans.

3. Stoneware: Stoneware has been used for thousands of years. This material helps to heat evenly, thick tools do not cause stickiness. It is also scratch resistant and can be fired at very high temperatures.

4. Ceramic cookware: Ceramic cookware is a relatively new product. It has excellent non-stick properties, but the coating can be easily scratched.

5. Silicon cookware: Silicon is a synthetic rubber used mainly in baked goods and kitchen utensils. It does not tolerate direct heat, so it is best suited for use in the oven.