Environmental Question #45 [Non-Stick Pans]

 Are all non sticky frying pans a no no?

 Courtesy of Reddit user u/ceruleandope

Q: Are all non sticky frying pans a no no? Like as soon as the top layer get scratched or start peeling off..are they say to use prior to this? Or should we stick to cast iron and stainless steel ones? 

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A: If you want to minimize your PFAS exposure, then cast iron, stainless steel, and enamel pans are your best options. This all depends on how concerned you are about PFAS though. It is definitely true that if you cook your food in heavily scratched teflon pans, then you can be exposed to a fairly significant amount of PFAS, but so long as your pans aren't deeply scratched, your exposure should be very low.

That said though, the potential dangers of long term PFAS exposure is still being studied, so how much you're comfortable with being exposed to is up to your personal risk tolerance. I got some teflon pans as gifts years ago and I still use them occasionally, because I'm not worried about a little bit of exposure, but it's up to you what you're comfortable with.