2023-08-08 21:43:42
Although most people have heard that plastic and microwaves don’t mix well, it’s not uncommon to reheat dishes yourself in plastic containers, such as Tupperware.
The use of these dishes is indeed often very convenient, especially when running following his time. However, the dangers associated with this use are very concrete.
Fortunately, precautions can be taken to limit these.
The two main culprits that make plastics dangerous are phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), two man-made chemicals that are often added to plastic to help it retain its shape and flexibility.
In large amounts, these substances have been linked to several negative health effects, including hormonal disruptions, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular disease.
Pregnant people and children are more susceptible to harmful effects from this exposure.
Although these studies are not directly related to microwaving plastics, phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are present in various types of food packaging, beauty products, and other environmental exposures.
In general, exposure can be reduced by avoiding plastics with recycling codes 3 (phthalates) and 7 (bisphenols).
Exposing plastics to heat, such as that produced by microwaves, can increase the risk of these harmful substances being released into the food in the dish.
Washing plastic containers with dishwasher heat can also leach chemicals and should therefore be avoided.
If you must wash plastic items marked “dishwasher safe,” place them in the top rack, away from the heating element, advises Consumer Reports.
The microwave gives off enough heat to degrade or even melt some types of plastic.
Therefore, follow Government of Canada or USDA guidelines and use only plastic containers that are clearly marked as “microwave safe” and labeled accordingly.
To avoid putting plastic in the microwave, the most effective, especially when planning to eat at work, is to buy glass or ceramic containers suitable for microwaves.
Another alternative is to transfer the food you want to reheat into containers suitable for microwaves.
However, do not forget to remove the lid, which is often made of plastic.
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