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Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

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Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#111

Post by kelipso »

danielbln wrote: post #74
pmoriarty wrote: post #12

I've long ago stopped cooking or putting hot food in plastic containers.. not because of this but because of the possibility other harmful substances leeching from the plastic in to my food. Sure, there are some plastics labeled "for safe" and "BPA-free", but that doesn't guarantee some other plastic that's used doesn't contain harmful substances or cause as yet unknown side effects that just haven't been found by re…

As a daily Aeropress user, I wonder if I should maybe switch to something else. Thoughts?

I stopped using Aeropress years ago because of this. Hot liquids and plastic do not go well together. Switched to pourover and using a ceramic pourover cone, less effort and takes about the same time.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#112

Post by grugagag »

arsome wrote: post #109

Is there any real evidence that consuming these is a problem though? Last I checked the evidence was shaky that this is even problematic for humans and read like a who's who of sketchy medical claims, up there with seed oils killing your testosterone.

Why risk it when you could use a different container when microwaving? Convenience has a cost

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#113

Post by 88913527 »

adrian_b wrote: post #63
gumby wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Dishes marketed under the Pyrex name are no longer borosilicates. The brand name was sold off (and in fact the company that bought it was recently discussed in HN as they also bought Instant Pot, and have gone bankrupt).

True, which is why any buyer must search for glassware that is said to be "borosilicate" and not search for "Pyrex", which has become a meaningless trademark. When you hold it in the hand, real borosilicate glassware is very easy to distinguish from other glassware, because it is noticeably less heavy.

It's unclear what the advantages of borosilicate are from this discussion. Is it merely the lightness? Either-or would seem to solve the problem of microplastic release on microwaving.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#114

Post by grugagag »

cubefox wrote: post #77
myshpa wrote: post #34

Microwaving aside, food and plastics don't go well together. Study Finds Microplastics in More than 90 Percent of Tested Water Bottles https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/study-finds-microp... Just opening a plastic bottle can release thousands of microplastics https://www.newscientist.com/article/2237900-just-opening-a-... Study: Plastic Baby Bottles Shed Microplastics When Heated. Should You Be Worried? https…

It's not just food of course. A first overview of textile fibers, including microplastics, in indoor and outdoor environments https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S02697... A Review of Human Exposure to Microplastics and Insights Into Microplastics as Obesogens https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34484127/ International quantification of microplastics in indoor dust: prevalence, exposure and risk assessm…

It’s most of our modern world goods

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#115

Post by robinduckett »

swsieber wrote: post #86
yetihehe wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As aeropress user for many years, I don't think there's noticeable amount of microplastics coming from it, paper filter would also help with filtering out ANY debris. But, now microplastics are even in air you breathe, coming from anyone using artifical fibers near you.

> As aeropress user for many years, I don't think there's noticeable amount of microplastics coming from it How does one notice microplastics? Do you notice microplastics from anything?

He clearly meticulously inspects each brew with a scanning electron microscope. Listen, there is a certain level that coffeeheads get to…

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#116

Post by hospitalJail »

quaintdev wrote: post #5

Why we don't use glassware? It's perfect for food. 1. Easy for cleaning 2. Good glass container will look new for years with proper washing 3. It breaks. So it requires full attention of person handling it. We all want to live in present moment, don't we? Use glassware and you will be in the present moment more often ;)

It burns your hands when its soup.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#117

Post by DannyBee »

wheels wrote: post #62
andrewstuart wrote: post #21

Slightly off topic but I threw out all my pots and pans with non stick surfaces. Nothing will convince me it’s safe to cook food to high temperature on whatever that chemical coating is. And after a while you notice the surface is wearing away…. where is it going? Into you and your family. All my pots and pans are stainless steel.

Most folks that cook a lot don't use non-stick pans much anyway because they just don't last very long. I keep a couple around for eggs and pancakes, but that's it. The usual recommendation for skillets is carbon-steel and cast iron because the seasoning does provide some non-stick properties. I have the full gamut with carbon steel, cast iron, non-stick and stainless steel, and find myself mostly leaning on the carb…

Oh it's worse than that.

Unlike steel, cast iron generates dust when abraded. Dust that is really bad for you. Known to cause lung issues, etc.

I machine it all the time (both ductile and non). It is usually is machined dry with vacuum because it will clog coolant systems. It basically turns into a horrible mud when mixed with coolant or water I happen to filter the coolant system so i can machine it wet, but that's not all - i also run a dust extractor to avoid these issues.

Cast iron is popular, but i've seen no science that suggests it should be used. There is no evidence i've seen that it's particularly better at anything, none of the "seasoning" thing is a real rust protectant for either cast iron or steel (and steel will usually rust slower), though it is non stick in the same sense that things are harder to stick to burned things :)

Steel won't generate the same kind of horrible dust when you abrade through the seasoning.

I don't season anything though - if i want to protect something from rust i dry it. If seasoning was a super good rust protectant we'd use it as one in other cases.

If i want something to be non-stick i spray a light coat of oil on it.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#118

Post by hospitalJail »

reaperducer wrote: post #61
thomastjeffery wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Glass gets very hot in the microwave. Hot enough to burn skin.

Glass gets very hot in the microwave. Hot enough to burn skin. So does plastic. Also, it's a microwave oven . Who thinks that you can stick your hands on something in a device called an "oven" and not get burned?

Thermal conductivity is drastically different.

Plastic with a brim is going to be cool, where glass with a brim will be hot.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#119

Post by AlecSchueler »

arsome wrote: post #109

Is there any real evidence that consuming these is a problem though? Last I checked the evidence was shaky that this is even problematic for humans and read like a who's who of sketchy medical claims, up there with seed oils killing your testosterone.

I guess we'll all find out in 30 years from now.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#120

Post by Filligree »

88913527 wrote: post #113
adrian_b wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

True, which is why any buyer must search for glassware that is said to be "borosilicate" and not search for "Pyrex", which has become a meaningless trademark. When you hold it in the hand, real borosilicate glassware is very easy to distinguish from other glassware, because it is noticeably less heavy.

It's unclear what the advantages of borosilicate are from this discussion. Is it merely the lightness? Either-or would seem to solve the problem of microplastic release on microwaving.

It doesn’t shatter due to thermal shock.
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