We just ate breakfast. Then I discovered a Teflon frying pan had been left, empty, on an electric stove burner turned up almost all the way, and smelled a bit bad. The burner was glowing dim red in a well lit room, but the frying pan, made of aluminum, had not melted and was not glowing visibly. We were in a large room 15’ away for maybe 40 minutes while it sat there.
The question: are we going to come down with polymer fume fever?
I believe PFF is a flu-like illness that takes several hours to come on after the exposure, and that at the time of exposure, sufferers may have noticed a little tickle in the throat, or may not. I feel a tickle in the throat now, but that could be imagination, or could relate to the other faint smoke that filled the room. Therefore I don’t think we should be able to tell yet if we’re going to get it, but some time around mid afternoon or evening it might start.
What does world experience with forgotten Teflon frying pans tell us? I did do some web searching but most of what I turned up seemed to be either trying to scare consumers away from buying Teflon pans, or encourage us to buy them. I didn’t find any case histories of humans getting ill from kitchen errors involving pans (though plenty of birds), and didn’t find any statistics.
I think there’s a factual answer about frying pan hazards out there somewhere.
Disclaimer : I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. There is a lot of variables involved and you should talk to a doctor.
Having said that, most people who report Teflon flu usually have fallen asleep and hence not noticed the smell/fumes. I think, since you didn’t smell or see fumes, and it was only 40 mins, there is a very low chance that you will get it. It takes 3 to 10 hours to develop symptoms.
Thanks. Though, the hours to develop symptoms is how long after the exposure. It’s not the length of the exposure required. I think most people who get it do so from smoking a contaminated cigarette, which is brief.
By the way, I understand it is quite unpleasant but goes away within a day and doesn’t need treatment.
Since am77494 seems to have nailed it in the first response I will put in a plug for ceramic non-stick pans. I have been using them for a while (these to be specific) and have loved them (I do not work for them or own stock in them and there are certainly other competitors making something similar…these I just have experience with is all).
They are not quite as non-stick as Teflon but they out perform Teflon in almost every other way. More durable, can deal with higher heat, no fumes and so on. And, honestly, they are pretty non-stick. I sometimes have problems getting a spatula under food as it just slides around the pan (first world problems).
Teflon pans are fine. We have been using them for decades and they are probably in most kitchens. Just saying there is an alternative now if you care.