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2008-08-21T02:29:00.004-05:00

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Nonstick Fumes Kill: Don't Assume That It Can't Happen to You

2008-08-20T16:28:00.001-05:00

by J. Marie Digatono, Vista de Pájaro Ecotours

The unthinkable has happened. A beautiful Yellow-headed Amazon who I bred a few years ago and sold to an intelligent and caring parrot lover, has died. Water was put on the stove to boil but then there were a few minutes of distraction. The water boiled away. There was no odor; there was no smoke; the windows were open. There seemed to be no cause for concern, but soon the beloved young parrot was having trouble breathing. He was rushed to the avian veterinarian, but no treatment could save him. Once polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fumes reach a bird's lungs, nothing can be done.

This was a gentle, delightful parrot who should have had many more decades to learn and sing and fly. He was loved by me and adored by his new family, including kids and grandparents who all delighted in his intelligence and bravado. I know that the horrible moment will always be a heartbreaking memory for the one whose moment of inattention had fatal consequences. I too, am having much trouble processing this unfortunate reality…a TOTALLY AVOIDABLE death. Death by PTFE poisoning is a tragedy that happens all too frequently, even when owners are well-informed and well-intentioned.

Accidents often happen during those times when things are out of the ordinary... we are under an unusual amount of stress, a friend helps out for a dinner party or comes by to cook for a holiday, or we simply doze off. We may think that we'll always remember that extra care must be taken when using a nonstick pan, but it only takes that one time to be quickly fatal.

Why is there so much resistance to believing how dangerous nonstick products are in our homes? Do we think that we are invincible? Will we never have an inattentive moment? Do we believe that "convenience" products are the only way to go, no matter what consequences? If PTFE so easily kills birds, how good can it be for us? Where does all of that surface go, as it disappears off the pan? Are we eating and breathing it?

In your home, is there a pan or two, a hot air popcorn popper, an iron or ironing board cover, a hot pad, a waffle maker, a space heater, a hair dryer, a curling iron, or any other product with nonstick lining? GET RID OF THEM! NOW! The very best would be to ship them back to the manufacturer and let them know how very awful a death is suffered when a bird's lungs have ulcerated, suffocating in his own blood and body fluids.

Please, PLEASE, do not think that this is something that happens to OTHER people. Do not listen to the deceptive advice to be careful not to overheat, or to open the windows immediately if you do. This implies that there could be a "little problem" that you can manage. So many birds die of this dreadful and avoidable toxin. Please spend the money to buy quality stainless steel pans. The good ones don't stick anyway. They are a lifetime investment, unlike the nonsticks that get tossed into the landfills in a short time, becoming an additional environmental problem. Cheap metal pans, especially aluminum, leach toxic metals into foods, so don't skimp when making cookware choices.

When it was first known that PTFE caused bird deaths, it was thought that very high heat was needed to release the deadly fumes. Now there are reports that even at normal cooking temperatures, PTFE can kill. It does not have to be heated to a high temperature or for an extended length of time. THE PAN DOES NOT HAVE TO BURN TO BE DEADLY. Small scratches, with fine raised edges in the surface, vaporize even at low temperatures.

It is UNACCEPTABLE to own Teflon and other nonstick surface products if you keep birds.

Unfortunately, there are many products and appliances that are coated with polytetrafluoroethylene. You must know if the product you're interested in is PTFE-coated before you bring it home.

Check your household for nonstick coatings on these products and more:

•	Heat lamps
•	Portable heaters
•	Irons and ironing board covers
•	Hair dryers

In the kitchen:

•	Burners on stove tops, drip for burners, and broiler pans (Check all parts of an oven before purchasing)
•	Griddles
•	Many cooking utensils
•	Waffle makers
•	Deep fryers, crock pots, electric skillets, rice cookers, and roasters
•	Hot air popcorn poppers
•	Coffee makers
•	Bread makers
•	Nonstick cookie and pizza pans
•	and many other appliances and fabric/carpet protection

Check DuPont's web site for more deadly products.

One resource suggested that even some computer printers may have PTFE surfaces. Check!

All smoke and burning fumes are potentially fatal, but especially burning plastics appear to pose a threat. Don't risk melting a bread bag or other plastic bag by leaving it near a burner or leaning on the toaster.

It CAN happen to you! Be safe, take care of your bird's health and yours!