What is bad Teflon and what is the alternative

Teflon is so firmly established in our daily life that no housewife can imagine a kitchen without a frying pan or pans with a teflon coating. It's so convenient! Food does not burn even with minimal use of oil. However, not everyone knows about the harm that Teflon causes to our body.

About the danger of Teflon-coated utensils, scientists began talking in the last century. And the agency "EPA" from the United States, specializing in environmental protection, made a demand to ban its release. However, manufacturers claim that, subject to all rules of operation, Teflon pans do not pose any threat to human health.

Let's figure it out.

Reference! Teflon is the trade name of polytetrafluoroethylene, a synthetic polymer registered by the American company DuPont. Due to its excellent insulating properties, Teflon is used very widely. And kitchenware - only one of the areas of its application.

Pans and pots, bowls of multicookers and pans, waffle irons and toasters - all of them can have a teflon coating. As long as the rules of use and care are followed, Teflon remains in an inert (safe) state. But as soon as the frying pan is heated to 260 degrees, Teflon begins to break down, releasing perfluorooctanoic acid - one of the most powerful carcinogens.

The same happens if the Teflon coating is damaged (scratched, burned). The more often we use Teflon dishes, the more microcracks formed on it, the more dangerous it becomes.

Teflon vapors may cause dizziness. Sinking on the walls and furniture, they continue to poison us, even if we got rid of Teflon dishes long ago. The most dangerous diseases caused by teflon are oncology and congenital malformations in newborns.

Some people, in order to save, are trying to repair the damaged Teflon coating themselves. However, to do this at home is impossible. Some companies offer a service for applying a new layer of Teflon. But, firstly, it is a complicated procedure, and, secondly, you need expensive specialized equipment.

In order to somehow neutralize the harm from dishes with Teflon coating, you can follow these rules:

1. Use silicone spoons when cooking and avoid abrasive sponges when washing dishes, so as not to damage the integrity of the coating.
2. If, after all, chips, scratches, cracks appear on the dishes, do not use it. Believe me, the price of a new frying pan is much lower than the value of your health.
3. Do not heat the pan too much.

These simple tips will save you from the harm of Teflon only for a while. Maybe there is another solution?

You can completely get rid of dishes with Teflon coating and go to steel and ceramics:

1. Cookware with ceramic coating. The best replacement for teflon. It has excellent non-stick properties. In addition, resistant to corrosion and scratches. Allows to fry at a temperature up to 450 degrees. Easy to operate and maintain. And most importantly - absolutely safe for human health.
2. Carbon steel utensils. Its main advantage - has no restrictions on service life. But at the same time does not possess non-stick qualities. That is, pour in more oil - and fry. Still such dishes are prone to corrosion, because after each wash it must be thoroughly dried.
3. Stainless steel cookware. It is similar to the previous version, but it is convenient to extinguish food in it and you can even store cooked food in the refrigerator.

Although dishes with Teflon coating and has a lot of positive qualities, but only one of its properties - the danger to health - negates all its advantages.

Scientists around the world continue to study Teflon and are trying to find him a worthy replacement. But all these discoveries will be made in the future. And you need to take care of your health here and now. Start small: from your home, kitchen, dishes. And be healthy!