Part 1/11:
The Teflon Controversy: From Marvel Material to Environmental Disaster
In the late 1920s, an unusual pattern emerged in Chicago as a series of mysterious deaths started occurring within homes. It took the tragic loss of 15 lives for authorities to identify the culprit — household refrigerators. At the time, these appliances transitioned from simple boxes of ice to complex systems utilizing toxic chemicals to keep food cold. The gas methyl chloride was notably used due to its efficacy, but it also posed a significant risk, being both odorless and deadly when leaked. Moreover, other refrigeration gases were flammable – creating an explosive hazard when mixed with sparks from cooking appliances.