Scratched Teflon Non-Stick Pan Releases 9,100 Microplastic Particles, Research Reveals

According to recent studies, a scratched Teflon nonstick pan releases about 9,100 microplastic particles.

Millions of microscopic plastic particles could be released by non-stick cookware while users are washing or cooking.

The recent study demonstrates how almost 9,100 plastic particles might be released from only one surface break on a Teflon-coated skillet.

PFAS Family

Microscopically, the combined amount of microplastics and nanoplastics, reaching 2.3 million, may be released as a result of the damaged coating, according to Raman imaging and algorithmic modeling.

Plastic particles known as microplastics and nanoplastics have a diameter of less than one micrometer.

According to a press release from Flinders University, Teflon, a nonstick coating material, is often a member of the PFAS family, according to Dr. Cheng Fang, a researcher from the University of Newcastle. One of the authors of the study is Fang.

Given that PFAS is a major problem, he cautioned that Teflon microparticles in food may present a health risk that warrants further research because little is known about these newly developing contaminants

Fang and his colleagues tested six different non-stick pots and pans, both new and old, by simulating a cooking or cleaning procedure without the use of any food or cooking oils, as cited by FOX 5.

According to the station, the tested cookware was handled with a steel spatula, a barbecue clamp, a stainless steel wool scrubber, and a wooden spatula.

Even if the cookware was undamaged, the coating could eventually release particles, according to Fang, who spoke to FOX 5.

The study cautions people to be careful when choosing and using utensils to prevent food contamination, however, Professor Youhong Tang, a researcher from Flinders University, said more research is advised given that Teflon is a part of the PFAS family.

Teflon

Chemically speaking, Teflon is a synthetic material made up of fluorine and carbon atoms.

According to the study, it has a low coefficient of friction and stands out for its chemical, thermal, and electrical stability.

Teflon is a component of PFAS, commonly referred to as "forever chemicals" because of how long it takes for them to decompose in the environment (hundreds or even thousands of years).

Read also: High Levels of Forever Chemicals PFAS Exposure Causes Adverse Immune System Effects on Cape Fear Gators 

Forever Chemicals PFAS

PFAS can linger in the body of a person and perhaps result in health issues.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds, sometimes known as PFAS, are present in many commonplace items as well as in soil, air, and water.

The most common ways that people are exposed to the chemicals are via ingesting PFAS-contaminated water or food, using PFAS-containing items, or breathing PFAS-contaminated air, New York Post reported.

According to Fang, additional study is necessary to better understand the detection of microplastics and nanoplastics in addition to the long-term health effects of ingesting such minute inorganic particles.

Fang further said that humans are surrounded by plastic all the time. People enjoy and need plastic.

However, the majority of plastic items have the potential to release microplastics and sometimes even nanoplastics during their lifetime.

There is widespread contamination from microplastics and nanoplastics.

People should exercise caution to prevent possible contamination in the kitchen and also in their food even though the risk assessment has not yet been completed, FOX5 New York reports.

The study by Cheng Fang and his colleagues was published in the journal ScienceDirect.

Related article: Study: 'Forever Chemicals' PFOS in Water-Repellant Causes Liver Cancer