What Is Teflon Poisoning

Inhaling these fumes may lead to polymer fume fever, also known as the Teflon flu. Polymer fume fever consists of temporary, flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, headache and body aches. The onset occurs after 4–10 hours of exposure, and the condition usually resolves within 12–48 hours ( 15 , 16 , 17 ).

What does Teflon poisoning cause?

What are the signs of PTFE poisoning? Signs of poisoning may include agitation, rapid or labored breathing, wheezing, incoordination, weakness, coma, and seizures. Sadly, in many cases, sudden death occurs before or shortly after signs develop.

Are Teflon pans still toxic?

Experts tend to agree that Teflon itself isn’t a problem. The coating itself is considered non-toxic. … Of particular concern is perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), one of the chemicals released when Teflon pans heat up. Long-term exposure to PFOA is linked to a host of conditions from cancer to thyroid disease, Fenton said.