April 2003
Bird enthusiasts and veterinarians have known for decades that Teflon-coated and other non-stick cookware, if heated to high temperatures, is acutely toxic to birds. The peer-reviewed literature contains numerous reports of bird deaths linked to the use of Teflon and other non-stick pans and appliances in the home, beginning about 30 years ago. The birds die abruptly, usually shortly after new non-stick pans are heated for the first time. The ubiquity of the deaths has spurred mention of the problem on at least 100 websites [0] devoted to the care of pet birds.
In 1975, in one of the early peer-reviewed articles on bird deaths, the authors describe the deaths of five pet birds following the owner heating a non-stick (PTFE-coated) pan:
“Five cocatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) died within 30 minutes following exposure to fumes from a frying pan coated with the "non-stick" plastic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that had accidentally overheated. Within an hour the owner developed symptoms of "polymer fume fever" but recovered in the next 24 hours. Clinical signs and post mortem lesions of the cockatiels are described and reference is made to the unusual susceptibility of parakeets to the pyrolysis products of frying pans coated with PTFE.” [1]
Bird deaths related to nonstick coatings are not restricted to exotic species in the home. A recent article recounts that hours after moving 2400 broiler chicks to a research warehouse at University of Columbia-Missouri, veterinarians noticed that substantial numbers of chicks were dying. Four percent of the chicks died in the first four hours, and within 72 hours more than half of the chicks were dead. After investigating the possibility of many common gas toxicants, scientists traced the deaths to lightbulbs coated with the Teflon chemical PTFE: “Further investigation revealed that the only change in management practice in this facility prior to the onset of the severe mortality problem was the replacement of 48 heat lamp bulbs (one for each pen). The new heat lamp bulbs were polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coated. PTFE gas intoxication has been reported in several exotic avian species, but this intoxication has not been previously reported in a poultry flock.” [2].
Scientists have not identified the particular offgas compound from Teflon and other nonstick pans and other kitchen equipment that is responsible for the bird deaths, but among the many chemicals that have been measured in the air when nonstick pans are heated are PFOA and other gases that scientists consider highly toxic [3].
References:
- Blandford TB, Seamon PJ, Hughes R, Pattison M, Wilderspin MP. 1975. A case of polytetrafluoroethylene poisoning in cockatiels accompanied by polymer fume fever in the owner. Vet Rec 1975 Feb 22;96(8):175-8.
- Boucher M, Ehmler TJ, Bermudez AJ. 2000. Polytetrafluoroethylene gas intoxication in broiler chickens. Avian Dis 2000 Apr-Jun;44(2):449-53.
- Ellis DA, Mabury SA, Martin JW, Muir DC. 2001. Thermolysis of fluoropolymers as a potential source of halogenated organic acids in the environment. Nature 2001 Jul 19;412(6844):321-4.
Search their database [2]
Description: Up At Six is a very comprehensive pet bird care website. Lists common household hazards and provides a search engine for research by topic or keywords. Also links to avian associations, aviaries, sanctuaries, shopping, online chat groups, and many other bird-related issues.
Association of Avian Veterinarians: Basic Bird Care
http://www.aav.org/basic_care.htm#Avoid [3]
Description: Association of Avian Veterinarians promotes avian medicine and stewardship. Become a member, find an avian vet, learn about AAV programs and policy statements.
PetPlace.com article: Dangers in the Kitchen
http://www.petplace.com/articles/artShow.asp?artID=3534 [4]
Description: PetPlace.com offers access to a wealth of medical and wellness pet information. Features an archive of more than 1350 pet-related articles searchable through a user-friendly database.
The National Cockatiel Society: General Bird Care
http://www.cockatiels.org/articles/care/gencare.html [5]
Description: The official website of the National Cockatiel Society. Features a question and answer bulletin board with scheduled chats and “reading rooms” of cockatiel-related articles.
Planet-Pets.com: Housing/Feeding Birds
http://www.planet-pets.com/feedbrd.htm [6]
Description: Planet Pets serves the public by finding, evaluating, selecting, organizing, and offering quality pet-related information and resources. Features a free online newsletter, kids korner, ask an expert, links to services.
Birds and More
Health issues [7] and
Protecting birds from toxic fumes [8]
Description: Online store for birds and their owners. Includes health tips and general care for your bird.
TalkToTheVet - Caged Bird Housing Considerations
http://www.talktothevet.com/ARTICLES/BIRDS/Pbirdhousing.HTM [9]
Description: Talk To The Vet is an online veterinarian consultation service. Links to vets, free newsletter, pet-specific articles, etc.
Bird Crazy - Safety Guide for Plants and Poisons
http://www.birdcrazy.com/newsite/articles/plants.htm [10]
Description: Bird Crazy is an Online aviary based in San Diego, CA. Comprehensive list of poisonous plants and household poisons and well as a list of safe plants.
Birds N' Ways eZine
http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww1e.htm [11]
Description: Guide to parrots and other exotic pet birds. Offers dozens of links to shopping, chatting, information and miscellaneous bird-related sites. Offers access to thousands of articles searchable by keyword, topic, author and website.
ASPCA - Managing Pet Bird Toxicoses
http://www.aspca.org/site/Search?query=PTFE&inc=10 [12]
Description: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals exists to promote humane principles, prevent cruelty and alleviate fear, pain and suffering in animals. Use the search engine (search “PTFE”) to find a downloadable report “Managing Pet Bird Toxicoses”.
Additional Links:
Starling Talk
http://www.starlingtalk.com/warning.htm [13]
Parrot Parrot
http://www.parrotparrot.com/birdhealth/kola.htm [14]
Exotic Pet Vet
http://www.exoticpetvet.net/about.html [15]
Kaytee
http://www.kaytee.com/companion_animals/birds/health/ [16]
PETA
http://www.petauk.org/mc/facts/fsc16.html [17]
Pet Bird Report
http://www.petbirdreport.com/articles/dangers.html [18]
The Parrot Chronicles
http://www.parrotchronicles.com/departments/hazards.htm [19]
Feather Care Aviary
http://home.cogeco.ca/~jjackson283/index.htm [20]
The Parrot Society of Australia
http://www.parrotsociety.org.au/ [21]
Stanley’s Quakerville
http://www.quakerville.com/features/ptfe.asp [22]
Lafeber Company
http://www.lafeber.com/docs_book/13/thirty_three_dangers.htm [23]
The Aviary
http://theaviary.com/teflon.shtml [24]
Avitec Exotic Birds
http://www.avitec.com/Birdcare.html [25]
Budgie.org
http://www.budgies.org/info/teflon.html [26]
Those Majestic Macaws!
http://www.exoticbird.com/teflon.html [27]
Taking Care Of Your New Bird
http://www.ddc.com/~kjohnson/safety.htm [28]
Lovebird Center
http://www.lovebirdcenter.com/7hazards.htm [29]
Cockatiel Cottage
http://www.cockatielcottage.net/hazards.html [30]
New England Exotic Bird Sanctuary
http://www.neebs.org/poisons.htm [31]
South Bay Bird Society
http://www.sobaybirdsoc.com/hazards.htm [32]
Austin Bird Club
http://www.austinbirdclub.com/dangerous.htm [33]
Old World Aviaries
http://www.oldworldaviaries.com/text/styles/teflon.html [34]
http://www.oldworldaviaries.com/text/miscellaneous/buying_a_bird.htm [35]
Bignest Aviaries
http://www.bignest.com/food.htm [36]
http://www.bignest.com/misgrey.htm [37]
Wee B Toys
http://www.weebbirds.com/firstaid.htm [38]
Pet Bird Care Safety Tips and Information
http://members.tripod.com/~DAdams/qkbrdinf.html [39]
Parrot Online
http://www.parrotline.org/teflon.html [40]
Bella Online
http://bellaonline.com/articles/art3973.asp [41]
Senegal
http://www.makasnest.com/senegal/Teflon/toxins.htm [42]
Feathers and Tails
http://www.feathersandtails.org/holiday.html [43]
Birds By Donna
http://www.birdsbydonna.com/BIRDS_BY_DONNA/Basic_Bird_Cax.html [44]
Kindness Club
http://www.kindnessclub.nb.ca/pets/BirdSafety.html [45]
Rockport Roost
http://www.rockportroost.com/Birdsafetytips.htm [46]
Animal Lovers Pet Shop
http://www.animalloverspetshop.com/whatsnew.htm [47]
The Real Macaw
http://www.realmacaw.com/pages/tielcare.html [48]
Wool-N-Wings
http://www.parrots.com/faq-hn.htm [49]
African Lovebird Society
http://www.africanlovebirdsociety.com/lovebirdcare/ [50]
North American Cockatiel Society
http://www.cockatiel.org/articles/hazards.html [51]
Angel Wings Aviary
http://www.parrot-breeder.com/parrothazards.htm [52]
A&M Aviaries
http://www.petbirdbreeder.com/hazards.htm [53]
The Animal Clinic of Clifton
http://www.pethealthcare.net/html/body_household_dangers.html [54]
Birdsafe.com
http://www.birdsafe.com/story_bird33.htm [55]
NetPets
http://www.netpets.org/birds/healthspa/poisons2.html [56]
Arizona Avian Breeders Association
http://azavianbreeders.org/BirdCare.shtml [57]
Avian Avenue
http://zachary.avianavenue.com/BirdSafety.html [58]
Ask Dr. Petra
http://www.drpetra.com/Birds/Household%20Dangers.htm [59]
Long Island Parrot Society of New York
http://www.liparrotsociety.org/harmful.htm [60]
http://www.liparrotsociety.org/teflon!.htm [61]
The Grey Place
http://www.africangreys.com/hints/emergency.htm [62]
Birds Birds Birds!
http://parrotfeathers.tripod.com/care.htm [63]
The Family Pet Show
http://www.familypetshow.com/toxocosis.html [64]
Doctors Foster and Smith
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Articles/bird_commoninjuries.cfm [65]
Parrots Canada
http://www.parrotscanada.com/birdowner/forthenewbirdowner.html [66]
Birds Just Wanna Have Fun
http://www.birdsjustwannahavefun.com/durability_info.htm [67]
American Animal Hospital Association
http://www.healthypet.com/Library/prevent-18.html [68]
Soldan’s Feed and Pet Supplies
http://www.soldanspet.com/petperspectives/bird_basics.htm [69]
British Columbia SPCA
http://www.spca.bc.ca/Factsheets/birdcare.htm [70]
The Avian Medicine Chest
http://www.petmedicinechest.com/avian/discussions/chemicalpoisoningtext.asp [71]
Pet Parrot Club UK
http://www.petparrotclubuk.co.uk/help/hazards.htm [72]
The Pet Bird Website
http://www.petbird.co.uk/housedangers.htm [73]
Quaker Parakeet
http://www.quakerparakeet.com/b4ubuy.html [74]
Houston Pet Talk
http://www.houstonpettalk.com/Column_Bird_Buddies.htm [75]
Hex Aviary
http://www.hexaviary.com/hexlocal.htm [76]
Birds of a Feather
http://www.boaf.com/article_11.htm [77]
All Creatures Animal Hospital
http://www.all-creatures.com/care/bird.htm [78]
Feathered Friends Forever
http://www.featheredfriendsforever.org/homesafety.html [79]
Bird Crazy
http://www.birdcrazy.com/toxins.htm [80]
The Parrotlet Parlour
http://www.theparrotletparlour.com/Parrotlet_Hazards.shtml [81]
The Windhover Veterinary Center
http://www.windhovervet.com/birdcare.htm [82]
Arizona Bird Supply
http://www.azbirdsupply.com/bird%20care_basics.htm [83]
The PetCARE Information Center
http://petcare.umn.edu/OPets/Articles/BirdTox.htm [84]
The Holistic Bird Newsletter
http://www.holisticbirds.com/HBN01/octnov/pages/chronic1.htm [85]
Win Rose Animal Hospital
http://www.winrosevet.com/Birds.htm [86]
Harmony’s World of Pets
http://www.petvets.com/petcare/birdscolumn.html [87]
Janice’s Bird Haven
http://www.wtv-zone.com/JaniceMarr/feathered/Care.html [88]
The Bird Hotline
http://www.birdhotline.com/vet.htm [89]
The True Parrot
http://thetrueparrot.homestead.com/EnvironmentalNeeds.html [90]
The Grey-cheeked Parakeet
http://www.lib.montana.edu/~bmarsh/cheeky/dosdonts.html [91]
Dandy the African Grey Parrot
http://www.vdnent.com/html/articles/part_behav_be-a-bird.htm [92]
Quaker Parrots
http://www.quakerparrots.com/qtips/more_thoughts_on_teflon.htm/ [93]
http://www.quakerparrots.com/qtips/dangers_of_teflon.htm [94]
Animal Rescue League of Iowa
http://www.arl-iowa.org/PetCare/Birds.asp [95]
Wasatch Avian Education Society
http://www.wasatchavian.com/fosterguide.html [96]
Dane County Humane Society
http://www.humanesociety.dane.wi.us/care/bird_groom.html [97]
Montreal Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital
http://www.birdandexoticvet.com/avian.html [98]
Parrot Passions UK
http://www.parrotpassionsuk.com/Advice/hazards.htm [99]
Birdlife
http://www.birdlife.com/care/dangers.html [100]
Pretty Birds
http://www.prettybirds.net/Parrotsafehome.htm [101]
The Animal Network
http://www.animalnetwork.com/birds/library/articleview3.asp?Section=&RecordNo=2721 [102]
Pet Finder
http://www.petfinder.org/journalindex.cgi?path=/public/animalcare/bird/1.3.404.txt [103]
Budgies ’N Tiels
http://www.budgies-n-tiels.com/contents/health.html [104]
Pair o' Keets and Qweak n' Tails
http://www.geocities.com/monicaarnouk/BirdHazards.htm [105]
SunConure
http://www.sunconure.com/safety.html [106]
Give Us A Home
http://www.giveusahome.co.uk/birds/faq.htm [107]
Eve’s India
http://www.evesindia.com/family/pets/bird_safety.html [108]
MSN Health
http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/35/1728_84136 [109]
Pet Education
http://www.peteducation.com:80/article.cfm?cls=15&cat=1829&articleid=2418 [110]
http://www.peteducation.com:80/article.cfm?cls=15&cat=1912&articleid=1559 [111]
North Fork Animal Hospital
http://www.northforkanimalhospital.com/animals/birds/birds_quaker.htm [112]
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