I did not say anything scaremongering, I think the human body is capable of dealing with a lot of toxic substances in small enough quantities, and it is up to each person to choose their exposure to each one. No fear. I’d eat something cooked on teflon. I choose not to use it as my main pan type but have in the past. Perfectly reasonable and balanced view.
You are incorrect, it isn’t burning (exothermic redox chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidant) that makes these substances toxic.
PTFE and PFOA have known health risks to mamals, birds, and reptiles. They are released both through heating and mechanical wear. (they are lethal to birds whos lungs are especially susceptible to these toxins.)
PFOA is a toxicant and carcinogen in animals and has been detected in the blood of more than 98% of the general US population.
PTFE starts to be released at normal pan surface temperatures 300 °F (149 °C) and 450 °F (232 °C) and degrade into even more toxic substances at just below the smoke point for most oils 450 °F (232 °C). These are not burning temperatures for PTFE.
