Why are nonstick pans toxic?

A few years ago, word got out that you should ditch any nonstick pans with coatings that were peeling or chipped, because they add unhealthy chemicals to your food. Now experts say that even new pans can put your health at risk if you overheat them. Nonstick pans contain perfluorinated chemicals that are released into the air at a certain temperature. These chemicals can block the action of estrogen in our bodies (possibly damaging fertility), harm your lungs, and have even been known to kill pet birds whose cages were kept in kitchens.
This content originally appeared on doctoroz.com