If you heat Teflon-coated pans too much, they can release nasty fumes that make people sick with flu-like symptoms and can kill birds.

What we've found so far is that heating Teflon coatings above 260°C can release fumes that may cause health effects in humans and animals. Our current analysis shows these fumes have been linked to flu-like symptoms in people and can be deadly to birds. We analyzed the available research and found 9.0 supporting assertions indicating that when Teflon-coated pans are overheated, they emit chemicals into the air [1]. These fumes, often called "polymer fume fever" in medical reports, can lead to temporary but uncomfortable symptoms in humans, such as fever, chills, headache, and body aches—similar to the flu [1]. While these effects appear to be short-lived in people, the same cannot be said for birds. The evidence we've reviewed suggests that birds are especially sensitive to these fumes and may die after exposure, even at low levels [1]. The evidence we've reviewed leans toward the conclusion that high heat significantly changes the safety of Teflon-coated cookware. However, we don’t yet have enough data to say how often this happens in real-world cooking or what exact temperatures trigger dangerous fume release across different pan types. What we do know is based on lab conditions and case reports, not large-scale human studies. We’re still building our understanding, and this analysis may change as more evidence becomes available. Practical takeaway: To stay on the safe side, avoid leaving nonstick pans on high heat for long periods, never preheat them empty, and keep birds out of the kitchen.