Is Your Cookware Bad for You?

We know now that “forever chemicals” are literally everywhere — including our drinking water, the foods we eat, and even our dental floss. But there might be another unexpected source: your cookware.

While your nonstick pan might help you flip the perfect pancake, this coating is also chock-full of toxins. Some claim that such pans are harmful and linked to health conditions such as cancer, but others insist that cooking with nonstick cookware is completely safe if used correctly. 

So how should you use nonstick pans? We spoke to two leading experts about what you should know (and some safer alternatives). 

Are non-stick pans bad for you?

Frying pans and saucepans are often coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), more commonly known as Teflon plastic. 

While this type of coating certainly makes cleaning and cooking more convenient, it has also been known to contain a group of potentially toxic, man-made chemicals collectively referred to as per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, or PFAS for short. You may know them better as “forever chemicals” because they’re virtually indestructible and don’t break down in the environment or the human body. 

According to the FDA, PFAS have been linked to significant health issues, including “increased cholesterol, high blood pressure, developmental effects, reduced immune response, altered liver function, and increased cancer risk.” 

Teflon cookware is generally considered safe for everyday cooking (researcher Daniel Jones, who studies PFAS, tells us he uses it at home), as long as temperatures do not exceed 500°F. If they get hotter than that, the coating can break down and release toxic chemicals into the air.

“Heat is a proxy for how fast molecules move,” says Jones, a biochemistry and molecular biology professor at Michigan State University. “So if Teflon gets too hot, then it can start to break down and turn into hazardous substances like PFAS.”

Breathing these fumes can lead to “Teflon flu,” which causes chest tightness and fever. Since these symptoms often mirror the flu and common cold, cases usually go undiagnosed. Still, a record 267 suspected cases of the little-known illness were reported last year, according to the nonprofit according to America’s Poison Centers. 

How should I use non-stick cookware?

Both of our experts advise avoiding preheating because, according to Teflon’s guidelines, empty pans made with this material can quickly reach high temperatures. You also want to steer clear of broiling or baking any of your Teflon pans at extremely high heat (as mentioned above, anything above 500 degrees Fahrenheit could be risky).

As a precautionary measure, Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, a senior environmental health scientist at RTI International, advises anyone using nonstick pans to use exhaust fans or open windows when cooking to reduce the chance of inhaling anything. 

Aside from vaporizing and breathing in chemicals, scratching your pan is the second way you may be exposed to PFAS chemicals in Teflon. “Those compounds can get into your food when you’re eating them and end up leaching as well into the foods, especially if you’re making something like a tomato-based sauce that’s more acidic,” Redmon tells us. 

Are black spatulas and other kitchen utensils toxic?

It isn’t just Teflon pots and pans you want to be careful about — you may also want to check your kitchen utensils, particularly your seemingly unassuming black spatula. According to a recent study published in the journal Chemosphere, this type of plastic may leach dangerous levels of toxic flame-retardant chemicals to your dinner.

The study’s authors screened more than 200 consumer products for two kinds of flame retardants: brominated flame retardants (BFRs), organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), and plastic polymers. Together, they found flame retardants in 85 percent of the products tested, and the spatula had some of the highest levels of toxic flame retardants. Takeout food containers, in particular, contained decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), which the Environmental Protection Agency banned in 2021. According to The Atlantic, these flame retardants leap to whatever environment they find themselves in, particularly if it’s hot — like a cooking oil or a warm stew.

But how do those types of chemicals wind up in kitchen utensils to begin with? As it turns out, black plastic often goes straight to landfills without getting recycled because the machines at recycling facilities don’t know how to recognize the black pigment. That means when companies want to make “new” black plastic, they often use discarded TVs and computer encasings, which contain some unsavory chemicals. 

A 2018 study found lead, mercury, and flame retardants in 40 percent of black plastic products — substances that have been linked to thyroid disease, diabetes, cancer, and brain development issues. 

What are some safer or non-toxic cooking utensils and pans?

Shopping for nonstick cookware (or any cookware, for that matter) can get confusing. Certain Teflon pans claim to be free of PFOA — but that’s just one type of PFAS. Redmon points out that at least 16,000 different types of these chemicals exist. “You can assume if it says that it’s nonstick, it’s likely to contain at least some PFAS compounds,” Redmon tells us. 

Increasingly, newer cookware is made out of ceramic, providing a natural nonstick surface without toxic chemicals in its production. But not all of these kinds of pots and pans are made without PFAS, despite their claims otherwise. But Redmon has a few tips on what to look for: “If it says nonstick water repellent or stain resistance, it’s likely to contain some PFAS, unless it otherwise specifically specifies what the material is and says it’s PFAS free,” she says. 

Luckily, some tried-and-true cookware is definitely PFAS-free, including stainless steel and cast iron. As for utensils, you might consider swapping out your black plastic spatula with a wooden or stainless steel one, which is especially important for nonstick pans because this can prevent scratches. This will likely be pricier than the one you got at Dollar General, but experts believe it could be well worth it for your overall well-being. “If you have a choice, why choose one that potentially could contribute to your exposure to these chemicals?” says Jones.

Check out some of our picks below. 

Best Non-Toxic Cookware and Kitchen Utensils