Thermolon

Birds have super efficient lungs. These are needed because birds use huge amounts of muscle energy when flying, plus they have a high metabolic rate. This means their respiratory system has to provide a plentiful supply of oxygen.

Sadly, this also makes them very susceptible to toxins in gas. When PTFE is heated to over 260C it gives off toxic fumes that are fatal to all species of birds.

All birds are affected, from big birds like fowl or parrots down to the smallest, like finches and canaries. In fact, the small varieties are the most easily affected.

PTFE gas causes edematous pneumonia. This causes the bird’s lungs to become severely congested as the blood capillaries in the lungs leak blood fluids into the lung airways. Essentially, the bird drowns in its own body fluid.

If you keep birds in your home, never allow them to be in proximity to anything that can give off PTFE fumes – not just cookware but also to anything that combines PTFE and heat.