Are Non-stick pan coatings so harmful ?

Non-stick pans have been so famous for their very comfortable usage, sametime, for their not-so-healthy non-stick coatings. Some say they are not harmful, some say they turn harmful if the surface is scratched from constant and hard usage. A paper published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal talks in detail about the health risks posed by regular usage of non-stick pans and the non-stick sprays. The chemicals used in making these pans non-stick are said to cause continued health risks. Many scientists signed the statement which talks in detail about the harmful PFAS ( Poly and Perflouroalkyl Substances). These substances have been linked with causing neurological disorders, cancers of different types to different organs, heart problems and liver toxicity, but still have been used persistently as non-stick pan coatings.

It has been observed that many manufacturers have discontinued usage of long-chain PFAS and started using shorter-chain PFAS. However, according to the scientists, these shorter chain PFAS are not as effective in reducing the harmful causes, they can't reduce any risk. Because more amount of these shorter-chain PFAS have to be used to create a non-stick effect as good as that of long-chain PFAS. Hence, the health risks posed by using non-stick coatings not reduced effectively.

The paper published calls for scientists to educate the manufacturers more and more on the fatal affects of these PFAS. It also calls for Governments, chemical manufacturers and consumer product manufacturers to encourage a healthy environment and in halting all PFAS production.

After reading all this, would you consider using steel, cast iron skillets for cooking your omlets, dosas etc or still buy non-stick pans? According to an ordinary person, using a non-stick pan once a week is not so harmful but how can you guarantee that it is not releasing any toxins into the food we cook ? I have almost removed non-stick cookware from my kitchen...and reduced the usage of the remaining new pans to once in a fortnight..what would you do in your kitchen ?!

--Pratyusha