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air fryers and birds

  • Writer: Kamrun majide
    Kamrun majide
  • Jan 3, 2022
  • 4 min read

Updated: Jan 3, 2022

Air fryers are becoming more prevalent these days, as they are usually less than $100 and have a variety of options.

An air fryer is a kitchen tool that works by circulating hot air around food to crisp it up. However, it has been rumored that these gadgets are not as harmless to other animals as they seem. Stories about bird owners dying after using air fryers have been circulating online.



Air fryers do release a chemical that can kill birds


According to a non-profit organization, air fryers can cause cancer to birds if they expose the body to chemicals produced by Teflon, which can reach a certain temperature. This material is commonly found in kitchen tools and appliances such as pots and pans.

Although the chemicals from Teflon are relatively harmless to humans, exposure to them can still cause adverse effects. The EWG noted that even small amounts can harm a bird's lungs. The group also noted that exposure to a large concentration of the chemical can lead to suffocation.


Can you own an air fryer if you have a bird?


Fortunately, there are plenty of air fryers that are free of Teflon. However, these products are typically not as expensive as regular ones.


On the other hand, if you own a bird, the company that makes air fryers noted that its products are not designed to kill or injure pets. Instead, they suggest keeping the bird away from the kitchen while the unit is being used.


Ever since I was a teenager, I have heard about various claims about air fryers. However, I never would have thought about this one until I came across this claim on the internet. It has been said that air fryers can kill birds.



Who is saying that air fryers kill birds?


I came across this claim on a bird related forum and it caught my attention because it sounded like the same person who was claiming this issue.


Doing my own research, I came across various posts about this claim on various forums. It was hard to verify the credentials of the people who posted these posts.


What I saw was that many of the forum goers were claiming that the Teflon in the air fryer caused their bird to die. I would have thought that this topic would have been talked about in scientific forums.


To be able to find a more credible source, I looked into various sources. Fortunately, a local newspaper in South Dakota named WLTX19 ran a story about this claim and talked to a doctor who owns a veterinary clinic.


The doctor explained that when heated to a certain temperature, the teflon could cause the bird to regurgitate the gas, which could then cause it to die.


On another site, PetCoach, they claimed to have the answers to various pet related questions. However, this article was only able to provide a few details about a certain issue, which they referred to as Teflon toxicity.


In 2003, a study revealed that using Teflon pans could cause cancer among birds. The study also stated that the chemicals in these products could also be harmful to the birds.


It is clear that Teflon could harm a birds respiratory system. Not only could it cause harm to the bird's respiratory system, it could also damage the other components of the body.


Can an air fryer really kill a bird?


Due to the properties of the coating, an air fryer could conceivably kill a bird. However, since the fumes produced by these products are very sensitive and could reach traces in the body, this issue is not considered a real threat to people.


What should an air fryer user do if they have birds?


Although it's possible to use an air fryer without using the harmful coating, there are also air fryers that are made with non-toxic materials.


The easiest way to avoid using an air fryer that has a toxic coating is by buying one that has a non-stick surface. Most air fryers come with a variety of metal and stainless steel construction.


If you have any doubts about the safety of an air fryer, contact the manufacturer. People have been worried about this issue regarding Teflon and the air fryers for a long time.


Air Fryers with Teflon Coatings Can Be Very Toxic to Birds


When it comes to air fryers, the environment should be first considered before it's used.


One of the materials that they use to coat air fryers is Teflon. This non-stick material is very durable and can prevent the internal walls from burning.


Unfortunately, teflon can also release toxic gases, which can affect the birds' bodies. These gases are not as harmful as those of humans.


As for birds, their lungs allow high volumes of air to enter their bodies. This allows them to fly, which is a big benefit for them.


The toxic gases from air fryers can damage the birds' organs and cause them to die. It's widely believed that the coating is the main cause of the air fryer's malfunction.

 
 
 

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