polymer fume fever cases underscores the importance of using cookware responsibly and being aware of potential risks associated with nonstick coatings. In the past twenty years, according to a Washington Post report, poison centers across the United States have documented over 3,600 suspected cases of a condition known as «polymer fume fever.» This flu-like illness has been associated with the fumes released from certain nonstick coatings used in cookware.
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Often referred to as “Teflon flu” due to the popular nonstick coating brand, this condition is not tied to any specific manufacturer but is rather linked to the chemical properties of the coatings themselves.
Recent data reveals that 2023 witnessed an unprecedented surge in cases of polymer fume fever, with more than 250 patients hospitalized in the US for this little-known condition, Daily Mail reported. Symptoms of polymer fume fever include fever, body aches, and chills, which are common indicators of the illness. Researchers from America's Poison Centers report that the number of cases in 2023 represents the highest incidence in decades, possibly reaching levels not seen since 2000.
Polymer fume fever is a condition caused by inhaling toxic fumes from overheated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly