Veritasium just made a great video about the history of Teflon and related chemicals. I got claude to help me put here:

Teflon and PFAS Health Concerns

Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE) and related compounds have several health concerns:

Teflon itself

• The intact, long-chain PTFE polymer generally passes through the body without being absorbed, as you noted
• Not considered directly toxic when ingested in its stable form

Related harmful compounds

PFOA (C8) and PFOS:

• Used historically in Teflon manufacturing (not present in final product)
• Extremely persistent “forever chemicals” that bioaccumulate
• Associated with:
  • Various cancers (kidney, testicular)
  • Immune system impairment
  • Thyroid disruption
  • Reproductive issues
  • Developmental problems

Shorter-chain PFAS (including C6):

• Introduced as “safer” replacements for C8 compounds
• Still very persistent in environment and bodies
• Growing evidence suggests similar health concerns to longer chains
• May be more mobile in environment

Heating concerns

Teflon breakdown:

• At normal cooking temperatures (below 500°F/260°C): minimal risk
• At high temperatures (above 500°F/260°C): Teflon begins to degrade
• At very high temperatures (above 660°F/350°C): releases toxic gases including:
  • Fluorinated compounds
  • Particulate matter
  • Can cause “polymer fume fever” in humans (flu-like symptoms)
  • Fatal to birds due to sensitive respiratory systems

Recommendations:

• Don’t preheat empty pans
• Avoid high-heat cooking with Teflon
• Replace scratched or damaged Teflon cookware
• Consider alternatives like cast iron, stainless steel, or ceramic

I have never has success with stainless steel but I will definitely try the heat/wipe/fresh technique if I get a chance.

What do you get when you cross a van, a tank, and an elephant?

It’s called nosestalgia

I actually don’t know. Some kind of spider??

Waka Waka Waka shiiit

When you put tomatoes in the fridge they get nasty

Yeah! Whatever it takes to get that ice cream in my mouth. Bite, lick, slurp, pick it off my shirt with my fingers, suck the remaining ice cream out of my shirt, whatever I need to do. Mostly bite it though. Little bit at a time.

The scale probably just can’t measure the apples all together that way. Maybe it’s not calibrated to see all the different ways apples can interact. Maybe time to go back to the scale drawing board.