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The #1 Reason You Need to Toss That Old Baking Pan

The most important reason to get rid of your old baking pan is if its nonstick coating is scratched or flaking. Most nonstick bakeware is coated with PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), commonly known by its brand name, Teflon. While safe when intact and used at low to moderate heat, a damaged surface is a whole different story.

Recent studies show that even a single crack in a Teflon-coated pan can release over 9,000 microplastic particles into your food during cooking. Heavily scratched pans may release up to 2.3 million particles. Not only are you unknowingly eating bits of plastic, but those particles can potentially build up in the body over time.

Worse yet, heating damaged nonstick pans to high temperatures (above 500°F) can release toxic fumes. These fumes have been linked to a temporary condition called “Teflon Flu”—also known as polymer fume fever—which causes flu-like symptoms such as headaches, chills, fever, and chest tightness. While temporary, it’s a strong signal that something isn’t right in the kitchen air.

Healthier alternatives?
Go for uncoated stainless steel, ceramic-coated bakeware, or even seasoned cast iron. These options are durable, high-heat safe, and free from toxic chemicals.

What about recycling?
Many local recycling centers accept metal bakeware—just remove any plastic or silicone handles. Some scrap yards may even offer a small payout.

Your Tea Bag Might Be Shedding Billions of Microplastics

Your daily cup of tea could be exposing you to billions of tiny plastic particles, according to a November 2024 study in Chemosphere. Researchers tested three types of tea bags and found that brewing tea in polypropylene bags released over a billion microplastic particles per milliliter. Paper-based cellulose and nylon mesh bags shed millions.

“This level of micro and nanoplastics in a consumable product is concerning,” said John Meeker, ScD, CIH, from the University of Michigan. When researchers exposed human intestinal cells to the extracted plastics, the cells absorbed them—suggesting microplastics could persist in the body.

Testing Tea Bags for Microplastic Exposure

This isn’t the first study on the issue. A 2019 Canadian study found nylon tea bags released 11.6 billion microplastics into a single cup. Research in 2023 confirmed that even biodegradable plastics shed microplastics. The latest study found polypropylene tea bags released the most—1.2 billion particles per milliliter—while cellulose paper and nylon bags released 135 million and 8.18 million, respectively.

Heat, water, and even stirring can accelerate plastic leaching. Researchers found that microplastics reached the nucleus of intestinal cells, which houses DNA, raising concerns about long-term health effects.

How to Stay Safe

While the full health impact of microplastics is unclear, experts recommend minimizing exposure. To reduce risk:

  • Use loose-leaf tea with a stainless steel infuser.
  • Avoid biodegradable plastic tea bags, which can release even more nanoplastics.
  • Store food in glass instead of plastic.
  • Drink from reusable bottles instead of plastic ones.

Reducing single-use plastics can limit unnecessary exposure while promoting sustainability.