Are Nonstick Pans Safe?
Quote:
The Biggest Danger with Nonstick Cookware
However, even without PFOA, overheating these pans can still create problems. When the pans get too hot, compounds in the coating can be released as fumes. These fumes can cause flu-like symptoms in humans and can actually be lethal to birds. (Many bird owners choose not to even keep nonstick cookware in the house, just to prevent accidents.) Overheating the pans can also make the coating less effective.
Polytetrafluoroethylene starts to dissociate at about 300 degrees Celsius or about 600 degrees Fahrenheit, releasing toxic fumes into the air. An empty pan can reach 500 degrees F in less than 2 minutes. Cooking foods over a high burner can also put you in the danger zone.
Although you probably wouldn’t overheat the pan on purpose, stuff happens. The phone rings or someone comes to the door and a pan gets left on the burner by accident.
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Like it or not, using a well-taken care of cast iron pan (particularly compared to the cheaper non-stick varieties)...is still the way to go.
