Question from RP
Someone lined my oven with aluminum foil that melted on the bottom the next time I turned my oven on.
Debra’s Answer
I’m not aware of any toxic exposure from aluminum foil heated in the home, though manufacture of aluminum produces greenhouse gasses and fluoride emissions (Aluminum: The Element of Sustainability). At any rate, the amount of aluminum foil is so small the emissions would be negligible.
Toxic household exposure from aluminum is generally from contact of food or water with aluminum pots or aluminum foil.
I would try just soaking it, aluminum itself shouldn’t stick to your oven, perhaps it stuck to some other substances that was spilled on the oven during baking or roasting.
I don’t see any problem using the oven if there is a little bit of aluminum permanently melted there. There are many other things to be concerned about that are much more toxic.
My husband lined my oven floor with aluminum foil. The next time I used the oven, it burned out the heating element. The repairman said to never put foil on the oven floor, because it reflects the heat onto the hot element.