Is Non-stick Coating Harmful to Human?

The coating of non-stick pan is mostly “Teflon”, also called “Plastic King”

Teflon is a polymer made by polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a monomer. It is generally translucent white waxy, has excellent heat and cold resistance, and can be used for a long time at -180~260℃. It is a very good inert material, it is cheap, and it can’t be justified without picking the non-stick coating!

At the same time, PTFE has the characteristics of resistance to acid, alkali, and various organic solvents, and it is almost insoluble in all solvents. In addition to reacting with molten alkali metals, it is not corroded by any substance, even if it is boiled in hydrofluoric acid, aqua regia, and sodium hydroxide, it will not change.

Whether Teflon coating is harmful to the human body, the key is how we use it.

The melting point of Teflon is about 327 degrees, and it can withstand a high temperature of 300 degrees in a short time, while it can be used for a long time below 260 degrees. However, it will slowly decompose above 450°C and directly turn into gas. If it is inhaled or ingested by the human body at this time, it is definitely harmful.

Teflon coating that meets national standards is safe when used correctly.

Generally, the temperature in our cooking cannot reach this level. Even the oil temperature for stir-frying/re-frying only reaches 190 to 240 degrees Celsius, and even the oil temperature reaches 90 to 10% hot, which is only 240 to 260 degrees Celsius. Be careful not to directly empty the pot and dry it.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) also believe that consumers do not need to worry about Teflon and similar fluoropolymer products themselves.

PTFE micropowder is a refined low-molecular-weight PTFE, almost all of which is consumed in the non-fluoropolymer industry. The addition of PTFE micropowder to the non-stick pan coating can improve its performance and give the substrate some fluoropolymer properties. The relative density is 2.2g/cm3, and the dosage is usually between 4%-30% depending on the customer’s product.