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I Just Burnt A Non-stick Pan, And I Heard That

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Posted on Wed, 15 Apr 2020
Question: I just burnt a non-stick pan, and I heard that the gas came out is bad for you. And I stay in that environment for about an hour, now I am saying in my own room and keep the door close and the window open. Now I feel kind of bad, what should I do now? And how can I know if I get poisoning? Thanks.
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Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (0 minute later)
I just burnt a non-stick pan, and I heard that the gas came out is bad for you. And I stay in that environment for about an hour, now I am saying in my own room and keep the door close and the window open. Now I feel kind of bad, what should I do now? And how can I know if I get poisoning? Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
INHALATION OF TEFLON FUMES ARE UNLIKELY TO MAKE YOU VERY SICK.

Detailed Answer:
Hi...
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX

I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.

Non stick cookware has a Teflon coating,which is responsible for food not sticking over it.
At high temperatures,Teflon may break to release toxic fumes which are basically fluoropolymers.
These fumes can cause reversible flu-like symptoms known as polymer fume fever.
These fumes have also been related to cancers in long run but studies are still going on to validate it.,

The fumes emitted might be toxic and one should avoid inhaling them but probably you are never going to breathe enough of them to cause some significant health hazard.
Now a days(after 2013),even Teflon is made from some safer alternatives,which is not that bad even at high temperatures.

It is unlikely that you have been poisoned or you would suffer from some great health hazard.
Time being,you should be in a well ventilated room and be taking deep breaths (so that residues of fluoro compounds don't pile up and are excreted out).
Be well hydrated.
The symptoms (if any) will wean off very shortly.

If the symptoms do not improve,see your clinician.

Hope that I have answered your query.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
INHALATION OF TEFLON FUMES ARE UNLIKELY TO MAKE YOU VERY SICK.

Detailed Answer:
Hi...
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX

I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.

Non stick cookware has a Teflon coating,which is responsible for food not sticking over it.
At high temperatures,Teflon may break to release toxic fumes which are basically fluoropolymers.
These fumes can cause reversible flu-like symptoms known as polymer fume fever.
These fumes have also been related to cancers in long run but studies are still going on to validate it.,

The fumes emitted might be toxic and one should avoid inhaling them but probably you are never going to breathe enough of them to cause some significant health hazard.
Now a days(after 2013),even Teflon is made from some safer alternatives,which is not that bad even at high temperatures.

It is unlikely that you have been poisoned or you would suffer from some great health hazard.
Time being,you should be in a well ventilated room and be taking deep breaths (so that residues of fluoro compounds don't pile up and are excreted out).
Be well hydrated.
The symptoms (if any) will wean off very shortly.

If the symptoms do not improve,see your clinician.

Hope that I have answered your query.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (18 minutes later)
Thanks, but I cannot stay outside of my room, so can I just let the air flow and I will be fine?
And just to make sure, although I feel sick, it will not have long-term haem, right?
And what about the food and dishes expose in my kitchen? Thanks
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Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (0 minute later)
Thanks, but I cannot stay outside of my room, so can I just let the air flow and I will be fine?
And just to make sure, although I feel sick, it will not have long-term haem, right?
And what about the food and dishes expose in my kitchen? Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
INHALATION OF TEFLON FUMES ARE UNLIKELY TO MAKE YOU VERY SICK.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Even if you are indoors,open the doors and windows to ensure a good air flow.
Do belly breathing.

Ventilate your kitchen well.
Turn on the exhaust fan to help clear the residual fumes.
Wash the exposed dishes before using.
The food exposed to fumes should be safe to consume.

Better to avoid consuming the food cooked on the burnt and damaged pan.
Don't reuse the burnt pan ( if at all it is still usable).

Henceforth,don't overheat the non stick cookware.

Happy living.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
INHALATION OF TEFLON FUMES ARE UNLIKELY TO MAKE YOU VERY SICK.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Even if you are indoors,open the doors and windows to ensure a good air flow.
Do belly breathing.

Ventilate your kitchen well.
Turn on the exhaust fan to help clear the residual fumes.
Wash the exposed dishes before using.
The food exposed to fumes should be safe to consume.

Better to avoid consuming the food cooked on the burnt and damaged pan.
Don't reuse the burnt pan ( if at all it is still usable).

Henceforth,don't overheat the non stick cookware.

Happy living.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (27 minutes later)
OK, thanks. And how long to heat the pan is consindering be "overheat"? 2 min? half an hour?
THANKS
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Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (0 minute later)
OK, thanks. And how long to heat the pan is consindering be "overheat"? 2 min? half an hour?
THANKS
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
INHALATION OF TEFLON FUMES ARE UNLIKELY TO MAKE YOU VERY SICK.

Detailed Answer:
Hi...

Most lightweight pan get optimally heated up in under two minutes.
Some may take up to maximum 4 minutes.
Don't preheat the empty pan and don't cook on high heat and power burners.


Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
INHALATION OF TEFLON FUMES ARE UNLIKELY TO MAKE YOU VERY SICK.

Detailed Answer:
Hi...

Most lightweight pan get optimally heated up in under two minutes.
Some may take up to maximum 4 minutes.
Don't preheat the empty pan and don't cook on high heat and power burners.


Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (8 hours later)
Because last time (not this time I burnt my pan) I burn my pan without anything in it for like 5 minutes, but I didn't see anything different there, so can I still using them? And what if I am already using it
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Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (0 minute later)
Because last time (not this time I burnt my pan) I burn my pan without anything in it for like 5 minutes, but I didn't see anything different there, so can I still using them? And what if I am already using it
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Inhalation of FLUOROPOLYMERS released after burning

Detailed Answer:
If the Teflon coating is flaking off, you are not supposed to use it. If not, then there is no harm in using it.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Inhalation of FLUOROPOLYMERS released after burning

Detailed Answer:
If the Teflon coating is flaking off, you are not supposed to use it. If not, then there is no harm in using it.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (59 minutes later)
WHat is there are some Scratch?
Thanks
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Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (0 minute later)
WHat is there are some Scratch?
Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
MAJOR BREACH MAY BE RELEASING FREE TEFLON,WHICH MIGHT BE GETTING INGESTED

Detailed Answer:
Non stick cookware with major scratches can be hazardous.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
MAJOR BREACH MAY BE RELEASING FREE TEFLON,WHICH MIGHT BE GETTING INGESTED

Detailed Answer:
Non stick cookware with major scratches can be hazardous.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (10 hours later)
But what if I already used it, while I didn't feel really sick.
THANKS
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Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (0 minute later)
But what if I already used it, while I didn't feel really sick.
THANKS
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
USE OF SCRATCHED NON STICK COOKWARE

Detailed Answer:
It is impossible to quantify the risk,you have been exposed till now.
If your pan is damaged, discard it immediately so that your health in preserved in the future.

Warm regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
USE OF SCRATCHED NON STICK COOKWARE

Detailed Answer:
It is impossible to quantify the risk,you have been exposed till now.
If your pan is damaged, discard it immediately so that your health in preserved in the future.

Warm regards.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. AJEET SINGH

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 2151 Questions

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I Just Burnt A Non-stick Pan, And I Heard That

I just burnt a non-stick pan, and I heard that the gas came out is bad for you. And I stay in that environment for about an hour, now I am saying in my own room and keep the door close and the window open. Now I feel kind of bad, what should I do now? And how can I know if I get poisoning? Thanks.