PTFE
Polytetrafluoroethylene · Teflon · Fluoropolymer nonstick coating
What it is
A synthetic fluoropolymer (chain of carbon atoms with two fluorine atoms per carbon, CAS 9002-84-0). The actual nonstick coating on conventional nonstick cookware. Originally commercialized by DuPont as Teflon; Chemours now owns the Teflon brand. T-fal uses a proprietary PTFE-based coating.
In this product: Nonstick coating, the low-friction surface that prevents food from adhering during cooking.
Dose & route, what actually matters
Two routes: (1) Thermal decomposition fumes, PTFE begins decomposing above ~260°C (500°F); at 350°C+ releases toxic gases including perfluoroisobutylene (PFIB), causing Polymer Fume Fever in humans and lethal to pet birds at temperatures as low as 280°C. An empty pan on a conventional burner reached 391°C in 3 minutes 20 seconds in EWG testing. (2) Ingestion of shed particles from scratched/worn coating, a 2022 study documented up to 2,300,000 micro- and nanoplastic particles released from a cracked PTFE surface.
EUROPEAN UNION
PTFE is included in the scope of a universal PFAS restriction proposal submitted under REACH in January 2023 by five national authorities (Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway), covering all ~10,000 PFAS including PTFE in consumer cookware. Adoption targeted ~2027. No current pan-specific ban.
UNITED STATES
No federal ban on PTFE in cookware. State-level cookware PFAS bans (Minnesota, Colorado, Maine effective January 2026; Connecticut 2028; New Mexico 2027; Vermont 2028; California SB 682 passed legislature 2025) typically apply to ‘intentionally added PFAS,’ which may encompass PTFE depending on interpretation.
The evidence
NCBI/StatPearls (2023): Polymer Fume Fever from PTFE decomposition, symptoms begin around 350°C/662°F; at least 6 toxic gases produced above 360°C. Pet birds killed by PTFE fumes at temperatures as low as 280°C. EWG 2003 testing: a generic nonstick pan reached 391°C on a conventional burner in 3 min 20 sec.
review · 2023 · source
Luo et al. (2022, ScienceDirect): a cracked PTFE nonstick surface can release up to 2,300,000 micro- and nanoplastic particles; a single surface crack leaves ~9,100 PTFE particles in food.
in-vitro · 2022 · source
California Prop 65: PTFE is not on the California Prop 65 list. PTFE decomposition products (e.g., PFIB) are not individually listed.
How to avoid it
Never preheat an empty nonstick pan. Use low to medium heat. Replace any pan with visible scratches or flaking coating. Cast iron, stainless steel, and ceramic-coated pans sidestep PTFE entirely.
Where it hides
Editorial analysis of publicly available regulatory and peer-reviewed sources. Not medical advice. We name our evidence and link it, including when an ingredient is fine.