Death comes to Gwynedd Budgerigar Society Open Show

On Saturday, November 12, 2000, Ron, the owner of eight pet birds, started the self-cleaning oven cycle in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner. His windows were open, in compliance with the oven directions. Two hours later, his son noticed that one of the birds was having trouble standing (all birds were located in a separate room off the kitchen). Four of the birds died quickly in Ron's hands before anything could be done. Opening more windows saved the other birds.

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Information on avian PTFE toxicity has been available for more than a quarter century. However, not everyone living or working with birds is either aware of heat-generated PTFE toxicity or of which commonly used products could be potential sources of the fumes.

Sadly, many household items capable of generating PTFE fumes do not carry sufficient identifying information, and most have virtually no warnings about the hazards they represent for birds (Forbes & Jones). Yet apparently in 1997 a spokesperson from the major PTFE manufacturer acknowledged that fumes from overheated nonstick coatings could be deadly to birds (European Chemical News).

Toxicity in Birds

When PTFE-coated surfaces are heated above 260 degrees C (400 degrees F), toxic products are released that can kill a bird in minutes (LaBonde, Forbes & Jones). In most high exposure cases, onset of death occurs rapidly with no chance for successful medical intervention.