What Does Polymer Fume Fever Mean?
Polymer fume fever is a flu-like illness caused by exposure to fluoropolymer (Teflon) fumes. When polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is heated to high temperatures, fumes are released that may be inhaled. Teflon is often used in corrosion-resistant industrial coatings. The effects of polymer fume fever are often heat dependent, and are most likely to occur when Teflon is heated above 842°F (450°C).
Polymer fume fever is also known as fluoropolymer fever or Teflon flu.