https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/teflon-flu-amid-rise-cases-us/story?id=112306317

A recent record number of cases of polymer fume fever, also known as "Teflon flu," are putting a spotlight on one of the most common causes of the condition, the use of nonstick pans.

Over 265 suspected cases of polymer fume fever were reported in 2023, the highest number of cases since the year 2000, according to America's Poison Centers, which represents the nation's 55 poison centers in partnership with the United States government.

Over the past two decades, there have been more than 3,600 reports of suspected cases of polymer fume fever, according to the Centers. Not all of these cases happened at home - many were occupational exposures, according to the Centers. But experts say the new record is putting a spotlight on the proper way to use these pans when cooking at home.

The condition is caused by overheating pans coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which releases fumes into the air. Breathing in those fumes can cause flu-like symptoms.

Symptoms of polymer fume fever include chest tightness, coughing, difficulty breathing and headaches.

The symptoms tend to go away within two to three days but the long-term effects of the condition remain unknown, according ABC News medical contributor Dr. Darien Sutton, an emergency medicine physician.

"We don't yet know the long-term effects, but we do know that these chemicals, these PFAS, are associated with health conditions like thyroid abnormalities, certain cancers, like kidney cancer, as well as certain problems with infertility," Sutton said Friday on "Good Morning America." "So it's important to be safe with these products."

Teflon flu, kinda makes it sound like something you get and then it goes away and your 100% again. But thats not how these pfas work, they accumulate in your body over time.

The devil we know is a really good documentary about dupont's efforts to hide this. And how they have switched to a different chemical now, which could be potentially even worse, but they can skirt the law because not much is known yet, outside of the company.

The Devil We Know is a 2018 investigative documentary film by director Stephanie Soechtig regarding allegations of health hazards from perfluorooctanoic acid a key ingredient used in manufacturing Teflon, and DuPont's potential responsibility.

Fun fact, DuPont also created many refrigerants.

Dupont, along with Frigidaire and General Motors, was a part of a collaborative effort to find a replacement for toxic refrigerants in the 1920s, resulting in the invention of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) by Thomas Midgley in 1928.

This Thomas Midgley dude inhaled some r12 and proclaimed it safe lol. I bet he was high for days after that. Did irregular heartbeat get him?

No, he killed himself with lead poisoning from inventing lead gasoline.

Technically his death was a result of strangulation by his invention, or suicide.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/24/world/thomas-midgley-jr-leaded-gas-freon-scn/index.html

Midgley’s life ended under tragic circumstances. After contracting polio in 1940, he became severely disabled and devised yet another invention: a machine that would lift him out of bed and into a wheelchair autonomously, via strings and pulleys. But on November 2, 1944, he became entangled in the machine and died of strangulation.

“The official cause of death was suicide,” he said. “He had a tremendous sense of guilt. The industry told him he was brilliant. But he did stuff that in hindsight was pretty irresponsible. The lead poisoning could have contributed to his psychosis.”

Its funny enough to mention that even in this article they claim freon has no health effects on humans.

He found that CFCs, or chlorofluorocarbons, were an ideal substitute and harmless to humans. However, they turned out to be deadly to the ozone in the atmosphere,

This is simply not true, again a very small percentage of the population will experience cardiac sensitizing when subjected to this chemical. It can happen on the first breath, or the thousandth.

Freons are well absorbed by inhalation or ingestion and are usually rapidly excreted in the breath within 15–60 minutes. Like chlorinated hydrocarbons, freons may potentiate cardiac arrhythmias by sensitizing the myocardium to the effects of catecholamines.

I wonder how much money DuPont spent to hide these effects from everyone, just like they did with teflon.

Surely a few decades later, weve learned our lesson right?

No mega rich company would ever lie to protect their profits.

Right?!