The Danger Of Teflon Fumes

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Automobiles )



The emission of Teflon fumes that contain a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid, also known as C8 can affect the health of humans. Teflon is found in numerous electrical appliances such as waffle irons, coffee makers, space heaters, steam irons, curling irons, as well as various cookware, baking sheets and pans. Teflon fumes can also be emitted when using industrial baking cooking, pharmaceutical equipment, and many others.

When items containing Teflon are used above a certain temperature, Teflon fumes and gases release hazardous toxic chemicals and gases, which are extremely hazardous. Food cooked in Teflon surfaces can be especially be lethal when food is cooked and consumed in these surfaces. Prolonged exposure to Teflon fumes can lead to polymer fume fever, which is a condition that produces fever or flu-like symptoms, cough and chest pains. In severe cases, prolonged use of Teflon can also lead to cancer in humans. People that handle certain chemicals in a laboratory or a factory are also prone to the exposure of Teflon fumes.

The inhalation of Teflon fumes can be avoided by using fume hoods or range hoods, in cases where the use of items containing Teflon especially in cooking and baking cannot be avoided. It is also strongly recommended that if food needs to be cooked on Teflon surfaces, that food is cooked as quickly as possible, and to cook at lower temperatures to prevent the overheating of its cooking surface.

A range hood is often found above your cooking range. A fan sucks in all the smoke and fumes that may develop from your cooking. The fan also expels it outside your home.

Fume hoods are more commonly used in factories whereby workers that need to handle products containing Teflon fumes place the items containing toxic fumes inside a cabinet-like structure. The fume hood is built on top of this cabinet-like structure, and like a range hood, sucks in all the toxic fumes and expels it into the outdoor air.

There are many types and variations of both range hoods and fume hoods. It is best that if you are thinking of purchasing either of these hoods that you carefully find out the functions of each type, and see what will work best for your requirements.


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