Teflon's Sticky Side

When heated to between 680 and 930 degrees Fahrenheit--scorching heat—the fluoropolymers used in Teflon degrade into several undesirable substances including trifluoroacetate (TFA), a substance highly toxic to plants. Other problematic chemicals which have been found in almost all blood samples taken by the Red Cross include perfluorinated acids, including perfluorooctanic acid (PFOA), used in Teflon and Gore-Tex and formerly released from Scotchgard. In high doses, at least one perfluorinated acid, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was found to be fatal to rats, leading the EPA and 3M, Scotchgards maker, to phase it out. Last but not least, the manufacturer warns that overheated Teflon can release fumes that can be fatal to birds. Maybe it's time to spread some vegetable oil on the cast-iron skillet.