Teflon Coating Study Reveals Microplastic Reality

Teflon Coating Study Reveals Microplastic Reality Scientists from Newcastle University and Flinders University have succeeded in measuring how millions of tiny plastic particles are potentially shed during cooking and washing as non-stick cookware and pan coatings gradually wear away. The study was published in Science of The Total Environment. The research developed a molecular spectrum approach to directly visualize and identify Teflon microplastics and nanoplastics, which are more difficult to track than other plastics. Researchers from the Global Centre for Environmental Improvement and Flinders NanoScale Science and Engineering Institute reported that a single surface crack in a teflon-coated pan can result in the release of approximately 9,100 plastic particles. At the micro scale, Raman imaging and an algorithmic model identified 2.3 million microplastics and nanoplastics released from the damaged coating. Newcastle University researcher Dr. Cheng Fang states, "The non-stick coating material Teflon is typically a member of the PFAS family. Given that PFAS is a major source of concern, these Teflon microparticles in our food may be a health concern; this needs to be investigated because we do not know much about these emerging contaminants." Flinders University researcher Professor Youhong Tang says the study emphasizes the need for awareness about the threat of Teflon plastic shedding during daily cooking. Professor Tang from the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Flinders University states, "This gives us a strong warning that we need to be careful when selecting and using cookware to prevent food contamination. Given that Teflon is a member of the PFAS family, further research is recommended to address the risk assessment of Teflon microplastics and nanoplastics." Academic Reference: Yunlong Luo et al, Raman imaging for the identification of Teflon microplastics and nanoplastics released from non-stick cookware, Science of The Total Environment (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158293 Source