Non-stick cookware and pet birds: A deadly combination
By Gina Spadafori
December 18, 2008
Like most anyone who is always giving out advice to pet-lovers, I sometimes forget the things I think are absolutely-everyone-knows-this facts aren’t anywhere near as widely known as I’d hope.
Which is why across all our media platfoms (and aren’t those fancy words for newspaper column, Web sites, blogs and the TV/radio appearances for Dr. Becker?) we always find ourselves doubling back to hit the basics. Because sometimes people mean well, but just don’t know any better.
That’s why this afternoon I’m reminding everyone that pet birds should never be caged in the kitchen, and that if you use non-stick cookware, maybe you ought not. I gave away the nonstick stuff when I first got a parrot and haven’t any since.
Why? Because the fumes given off by the non-stick coating can kill your bird. It’s actually common enough that I know several people who have killed their birds this way, just not realizing the danger.
And it’s really deadly stuff for birds. From the Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinal in Maine:
Could nonstick coating material used on some kitchen cookware have caused the deaths of a dozen exotic birds this past weekend?
Probably, says Dr. Anne Lichtenwalner, director of the diagnostic laboratory at the University of Maine, who performed a necropsy — an examination of the internal organs — on several of the dead birds.
Contacted late Wednesday, Lichtenwalner said her test results point to fumes from nonstick coatings on cookware as the most likely cause of death.
“The lesions common to the several birds that we necropsied were consistent with acute death due to an inhaled toxicant,” Lichtenwalner said. “I was able to reach the caretaker of the animals who said she was cooking with a pan; it was a nonstick pan.
“That is the most likely cause. That’s likely to have been the case.”
The cockatiels, parrots and parakeets died suddenly Sunday night as a woman was making dinner for herself and two other adults.
The birds, said Starks Fire Chief Julie Costigan, were in cages just 10 feet from the cooking area. They all died within 30 minutes of one another.
The warning about fumes from non-stick cookware is in “Birds For Dummies,” (which I co-authored with the incredible avian specialist Dr. Brian Speer). But that didn’t get the information into the hands of a woman who now has empty cages in her home, a hole in her heart and whole load of guilt to top it all off.
Non-stick cookware (certain types) has been shown to be a health risk for everyone. I prefer stainless steel or good old cast iron, which once seasoned, is non-stick cookware that actually adds a little iron to your food.
Thanks for the tip, not a bird person (yet lol) but good to know.
Comment by Selma — December 19, 2008 @ 8:17 am
We keep Larry in the kitchen, but we also own no nonstick cookware.
Comment by Kim Thornton — December 22, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
I am heartbroken. I knew teflon was a danger and I never used this. I bought cookie pans which were not teflon, but later realized too late they said “non stick” made in china. 5 hours after making appitizer on the new pans my parrotlett became very disoriented fell off perch. I held her and she died. It was my fault and I am so sorry I did not know non stick was just as dangerous as teflon.
Comment by Kathy — December 28, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
Oh Kathy, I’m so sorry this happened to you. And I hope by sharing your story it won’t happen to others.
If it’s any consolation at all, this has happened to many, many bird-lovers.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — December 28, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
My Bird just died too. About 4 years ago when I got him I was found out about the non-stick can kill your parrot. I have already had the bird and the non-stick pans for a year before I found out. I always had the bird in another room when I was cooking. The vet told me I should be fine if I keep the bird in another room. Let’s just put it this way— If you have non-stick pans conceder your parrot dead. It will kill your bird one day if it has not already. Even if it is in another room. I even opened the window by the bird the day it still passed. His name was Phoenix and he was the best bird anyone could ask for. Just get rid of the non-stick pans not matter what.
Comment by Katie — March 19, 2009 @ 9:24 am
people are finally becoming aware of the danger of non stick pans and self cleaning ovens around their birds — what has taken people by surprise (at least locally) are carpet cleaners. As someone with asthma I’m more affected than most by household chemicals anyway, and when a steam cleaning process all of a sudden uses sprays that are making me wheeze, I very quickly find out what those sprays contain. Teflon is their “high traffic area” treatment — and heaven only knows what they use to remove pet scents, etc. Be wary of carpet cleaning as well as your cooking :-)
Comment by Debbie — December 22, 2009 @ 10:58 pm