Most of us have heard it screamed from the rooftops that birds and nonstick products do not mix. But there can be some confusion about what products actually contain these chemicals and how to know where they are found. It’s not just pans that have them and it can be confusing trying to navigate the marketing landscape when it comes to knowing what is in the products we buy and how to keep our birds safe.

Non-stick chemicals is the general term used for PTFEs, or polytetrafluoroethylene, as well as for PFAS, two of the most common being perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Let’s learn a bit about what these chemicals are, what they are used in, and why it’s important to protect our birds from them.

Non-stick Chemicals and Their Uses

PTFEs consist of two elements: carbon and fluorine. It has a very high melting point, is water resistant, cannot be damaged by most household chemicals, and is easily manipulated so that it can be applied to a wide range of products. You can find it in everything from cooking pans to dental floss. 

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a diverse group of chemicals used in hundreds of different kinds of products.  Two of them being perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). They can be different from one another, but all contain a carbon-fluorine bond. That bond is strong and so these chemicals break down very slowly over time. They are resistant to heat, oil, grease, and water. They’re authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in food products in the following categories: Nonstick coating applications; sealing gaskets for food processing equipment; manufacturing aids; and grease-proof agents for paper food packaging. They are no longer being used by US food industry manufacturers in anything that can transfer onto paper and possibly be consumed by people. This is because they have been linked to serious health concerns. 

The United States Food and Drug Administration website states that “substances containing PFAS used as grease-proofing agents on paper and paperboard for food contact use are no longer being sold by manufacturers into the U.S. market.” But they can, however, possibly still be used in other countries in the manufacturing process. Because they are used so widely in so many products, they have been found all over our environment - some places being in our drinking water, our soil, the fish we eat, and in the blood of most humans and animals around the world. The FDA plans to continue testing in the next couple of years saying on their website that “In 2024-2025, we will continue to test foods from the general food supply, with the goal of accurately estimating U.S. consumers’ exposure to PFAS from foods.” 

It’s important to know that any non-stick chemicals can be extremely dangerous for birds regardless of the type.

What Kind of Products Contain These Chemicals?

Most people who interact with non-stick chemicals are doing so through the use of common household products. Some of those products are:

Pans: The most widely discussed product containing nonstick within the parrot community is probably cooking pans. Pans are most commonly coated with PTFEs. These coatings keep food from sticking to the pan while still allowing for cooking. They’re used in frying pans, sauce pans, baking pans, and more. 

Other Products to Look Out For: 

This is not a complete list. I’m listing the most common products that are relevant to most people with birds, but there’s more out there. Anytime you get a product, always make sure it does not contain any non-stick chemicals - PTFE or PFAS. You can call the product’s manufacturer directly to get this information. 

• Oven liners - There are many stories of people’s birds dying due to these products that contain non-stick chemicals. That's why I’ve chosen to list this one separately. Oven liners are mats or sheets placed at the bottom of an oven to catch spills and drips. 
• Heating Elements - Used in products such as toaster ovens, waffle makers, space heaters, electric skillets, air fryers, hair dryers, hair straighteners/curlers, and much more.
• Oven Coatings - Never use the self-cleaning function on an oven. The high temperatures create fumes by heating the chemicals that coat an oven at a very high temperature which is deadly to birds.
• Covers and Mats for Products that Create Heat - Ironing board covers, heat press covers, stovetop drip pans, etc.

Nonstick Chemicals and Birds

Birds have amazing, highly efficient respiratory systems. The air sacs in their lungs allow for unidirectional flow of air through them which enables them to constantly get “fresh” air and more oxygen. This unidirectional flow is seen in all birds and is important because flight is metabolically demanding and it enables them to be the expert fliers that they are. But it also means that they are more susceptible to toxins in the air.

When non-stick chemicals are heated to high temperatures, they release toxic gasses and particles into the air. Although most cases of injury and death to birds occur when a product that contains the chemicals is overheated, there have been instances where a bird has died even when using products normally and at recommended temperatures. Budgies, for example, have been shown to be especially sensitive and have died when chemicals were heated to lower temperatures.

The gasses that are released have no smell and cannot be seen. Because of this, a person often finds out too late that gasses are in the air and they discover that their bird has died. It can occur suddenly and without any signs. If signs are present, some may be as follows: lethargy, wheezing, seizures, appearing “wobbly” or unable to maintain balance, and the bird may be slow to respond to any stimulation.

Even if a bird is in a different room than the products being used, gasses created by nonstick chemicals can still reach them. The only sure, safe way to avoid harm to them is to not use any products that contain dangerous chemicals.

How to Find Safe Products

There are safe products that a person can find that do not make use of non-stick chemicals. Buying cooking pans that are made of safer materials such as stainless steel and cast iron is advised. When buying a new product or appliance, it is a good idea to call the manufacturer and ask if their products contain any PTFES or PFAS. Most products have a number you can call on the product’s owners manual or on their website. Some companies also have a chat feature on their website and some may require that you submit an email or ticket to get more information.

Be wary of products claiming to be “non-toxic” as this term can be used as a way of marketing products that may not have a specific kind of chemical but may contain others. For example, products claiming to be “PFOA-free” may not have PFOAS, but may contain PTFES. Or a product may claim to be non-toxic, but upon investigation into what they actually contain, they were referring only to a specific kind of chemical but contained another. It’s a sort of loophole that allows them to put certain phrases on their packaging to appear to be a safer alternative than other products - when in reality, they may still be dangerous to birds.

Rest assured that at Bird Street Bistro, we only offer safe, healthy food options for your bird. For example, our Colorado Green Harvest bistro contains healthy ingredients like blueberries, barley, quinoa, and parsley.

References:

“Authorized Uses of Pfas in Food Contact Applications.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, www.fda.gov/food/process-contaminants-food/authorized-uses-pfas-food-contact-applications.

Stoltz JH, Galey F, Johnson B. Sudden death in ten psittacine birds associated with the operation of a self-cleaning oven. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1992 Oct;34(5):420-1. PMID: 1455609.

Harvey EP, Ben-Tal A. Robust Unidirectional Airflow through Avian Lungs: New Insights from a Piecewise Linear Mathematical Model. PLoS Comput Biol. 2016 Feb 10;12(2):e1004637. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004637. PMID: 26862752; PMCID: PMC4749316.

Wade, Laura, DVM, Dipl. ABVP. “The Dangers of Teflon The Dangers of Teflon/PTFEforBirds.” 

“PFAS Explained.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained. 

Loria, Kevin. “You Can’t Always Trust Claims on ‘non-Toxic’ Cookware.” Consumer Reports, 26 Oct. 2022, www.consumerreports.org/toxic-chemicals-substances/you-cant-always-trust-claims-on-non-toxic-cookware-a4849321487.