Eddie's Blog
About Eddie: I'm a dog on a mission. With your help, I'm going to change legislation in the U.S. to make sure chemicals are safe before they're put on the market. Read more or contact Eddie.
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All about Teflon toxicosis
Teflon is pretty fancy chemistry. Coat a regular old pan with the stuff and, just like that, eggs slide right onto plates. There's no stuck-on mess to clean up (I'm told humans hate stuck on messes). Unfortunately, the perfluorinated chemicals that make Teflon so miraculous are also toxic.
See, Teflon can't stand the heat. The same is true of other PFC-based nonstick coatings. It only takes a a couple of minutes for a pan to reach temperatures of over 700 degrees Fahrenheit, and Teflon particles have been measured coming from pans at temperatures as low as 464 degrees. At 680 degrees, several different toxic gasses start to be released.
Birds have very delicate respiratory systems, and when they inhale Teflon, it causes damage to their lungs. In the end, it causes them to suffocate. Vets and scientists call it Teflon toxicosis.
People who have bird companions should not cook with nonstick pans. No ifs, ands or buts -- keeping your birds out of the kitchen is not enough. Take it from me: Teflon toxicosis isn't something to mess around with! Instead of nonstick, use stainless steel cookware, or seasoned cast iron. Keep in mind that lots of appliances, like griddles, stoves, and even irons, sometimes have nonstick coatings. Double check before buying any new cookware! Sometimes even salespeople don't know is a product has a Teflon coating. We've talked to bird owners that were reassured that a product was Teflon-free, only to be devastated later when the truth came out.
PS: This one's for you, Feathers! And for Kneeka the parrot, who left me an awesome message.
i had the same thing happen to my parakeet, Al Green, i was microwaving a hot dog for my son, and i left it in too long. the aluminum looking coating in the pack had turned to ashes, and Al Green was dead. it only took about 3 minutes. it was very upsetting. i felt very guilty for not knowing any better.
I'm sorry about Al, Elaine. That's exactly why we need to get the word out!
Hey I was wondering if anyone might know about this one. Is Tuna toxic to parakeets? I have had 2 parakeets die on my family in under a year, and want to know if my tuna wielding friend may have actually been the culprit for there untimely demise. I was just thinking about that today, remembering our poor "Flutter" whom passed a couple months or so ago. I remember coming downstairs only to see my "friend" sitting on the couch eating a can of tuna and looking over where my bird usually perches and he had put a chunk of tuna on it's perch! I immediatly took it off and wiped it down, but the bird was going kinda bonkers like screeching and bobbing up and down and from what I can recall passed within the week or so. Can't remember, but it's wierd because I can remember that He had brought a can of tuna over before and ate it in the same room as the the other bird "Barry" . I have know idea what might have happened there either. The first bird lasted just over 2 months since the time of purchase. The second one a little longer , but still is my question. Is tuna toxic to parakeets? NOONE in my household eats tuna, nor has it ever been in my home except those 2 times! Any info about this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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