Many people keep cooking on a scratched non-stick pan, but researchers found that a single crack in the coating can release around 9,100 plastic particles into the food

Almost every kitchen in the USA probably has a nonstick pan. It is inexpensive, easy to clean, and eggs slide right off it. Most of us keep using these pans long after the coating is scratched. It might seem like a waste to throw out a pan for a few scuff marks. But that little scratch could be shedding thousands of tiny bits of plastic into your food, according to a 2022 study published in Science of the Total Environment by researchers at Flinders University and the University of Newcastle in Australia.

Most nonstick pans are coated with Teflon. It is also known as polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE. Teflon is a plastic and part of a larger chemical umbrella known as PFAS. These chemicals are often referred to as “forever chemicals.” The researchers wanted to know what happens when a spatula or spoon scrapes across that coating during normal cooking.

How scientists caught the particles in the act
The researchers weren’t relying only on visual inspection. They used a technique called Raman imaging. It points a laser at a surface and detects the tiny signals that bounce back. This shows the kind of material that's there, even at sizes too small to see. They scanned six non-stick pans. Four were brand new. Two were about two years old. They scrubbed the pots with steel spoons, spatulas, steel wool, and a wood turner. It mimicked normal cooking motions.

They also used a scanning electron microscope, or SEM, to zoom in and count the debris. The same study also found that one crack or scratch in the coating could leave behind 9,100 tiny plastic particles. A fully broken section of coating released much more, about 2.3 million particles. Some of the smallest bits were less than 100 nanometers across. That’s about one thousand times thinner than human hair.

Why this actually matters for your kitchen
Here is the bit worth noting: it was not an extreme test. The scientists simulated common stirring and flipping, the kind of motion you make every time you scramble eggs or cook vegetables. The older pots, used for around two years, leached out as much material as the new ones. Sometimes they released even more. The surface was already worn down from years of scraping.

It’s good to be clear about what this study did and did not find. Researchers have shown that scratched cookware sheds bits of Teflon. They haven’t tested what happens if someone eats those bits. Nor did they measure any health effects on people. That question is still being studied elsewhere. The US Environmental Protection Agency's overview of research on PFAS has linked the group of PFAS chemicals to reduced fertility. Studies have also linked them to slower growth in children and to a higher risk of some cancers. The agency said the effects may vary depending on the specific chemical and the level of exposure.

The bigger picture on forever chemicals
The study lands at a time when PFAS chemicals are getting more attention across the US. They are present in drinking water. They may also be found in fast food containers. CNN's coverage of federal PFAS efforts notes that hundreds of studies have linked broader PFAS exposure to health problems. That is part of the reason that regulators have been setting drinking water limits for some of these chemicals in recent years. Non-stick cookware is just another everyday source that scientists are now looking at closely.

What you can actually do about it
You don’t need to throw out all the pans today. A few small habits can help:

Remove a pan if you see a scratched, peeling, or discolored coating. The study found that damaged surfaces emitted significantly more particles than smooth surfaces. Use silicone, wood, or plastic utensils instead of metal on non-stick pans. Metal causes most of the scratches in the first place. Do not stack non-stick pans together without something soft between them. That’s a common way coatings get scuffed in storage. Reserve non-stick pans for delicate cooking, like eggs or pancakes. For heavier stirring jobs, use stainless steel or cast iron.

Cooking should feel relaxing, not stressful. This study is a good reminder to take another look at your favourite pan. If it starts to look worn, give it some extra attention.