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Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

pubs.acs.org

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Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#271

Post by sprucevoid »

bavell wrote: post #252
sprucevoid wrote: post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is no evidence in the linked text that possible "reproductive issues" from sperm count reduction would be something overall bad. One possibility is that the total number of humans born will decrease somewhat and that global population will be somewhat lower compared to an alternative scenario with less microplastics. Every human has needs that require energy and resources so a scenario with lower global populat…

> might be better in terms of making sure all born humans get what they need. Might be. Or might not be. Who knows? Let's leave it up to random chance and see what happens! No point in trying to understand this phenomenon right?

Understanding the issue requires evidence and arguments about how good or bad the effects are. The problem is that several commenters here jump to conclusions without evidence.

On current projections human world population peaks at 10 billion in 2086 [0]. If, for the sake of argument, microplastics were to lower reproduction somewhat so that "only" 9.5 billion people came to exist in 2086, would that be bad? We're already putting a lot of pressure on many of earth's scarce resources in ways that have harmful effects on the welfare of many existing humans. Increasing population increases that pressure.

[0] https://ourworldindata.org/future-population-growth

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#272

Post by somewhat_drunk »

kelipso wrote: post #258
somewhat_drunk wrote: post #238

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>fluoride in drinking water Is there a legitimate issue with fluoride in drinking water? A quick google search yields nothing.

Meta-analysis study from China says fluoride in drinking water lower IQ by 7 points on average in children, with more fluoride causing higher effects [1]. Probably politically infeasible to do such a study in the US because of left-right polarity but I'm sure once it gets widespread acknowledgement in a couple of decades, there'll be people saying how it was obvious all along. Other studies too from a quick google se…

Interesting, thank you!

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#273

Post by Clamchop »

avidphantasm wrote: post #10
Frummy wrote: post #7

It's great to have some science on it but a lot of people have considered this common sense for one or two decennia.

Agreed. I haven’t microwaved food in plastic for 20+ years. It just always seemed gross. My biggest beef with plastic containers is that once washed with cheap dish soap (e.g. Dawn) the plastic container and any food stored in it always an forever smell and taste like the fragrance in the soap. I don’t find this to be a problem when using 7th Generation dish soap, which I consider to be far superior.

Interesting, I view Dawn as name-brand, maybe premium product and thought it was well-regarded, though maybe that's all those advertisements with oil-soaked animals getting cleaned up doing a number on me.

Never had a complaint or noticed a residual odor, though.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#274

Post by placesalt »

mandmandam wrote: post #220
placesalt wrote: post #193

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t like the academic publishing racket either, but that is an exaggeration. Presumably you were being sarcastic, but it’s still caustic. What stereolab called easy cynicism.

[flagged]

[flagged]

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#275

Post by mikestew »

tornadron wrote: post #255
dangson wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Aeropress will be releasing a premium version made out of glass later this year. https://coffeechronicler.com/aeropress-xl-premium/

It will be made out of Tritan -- a type of plastic, not glass.

The Aeropress Clear is made out of Tritan. The Premium (from the link) "will feature a construction of glass, stainless steel, and aluminum instead of the usual plastic."

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#276

Post by Clamchop »

gumby wrote: post #51
GTP wrote: post #13

It was already known that some kinds of plastic release microplastic particles when heated. I assume this is why we have some plasticware that is labeled as being suitable for microwave oven usage, but at quick glance at the abstract doesn't seem they considered this difference. It would be interesting to know the amount of micropastic released by "microwave suitable" plastic vs common plastic.

"microwave suitable" just means "this won't melt if you put it once into the microwave". Almost as bad as "flushable wipes" which technically can be flushed but should never be as they clog the plumbing and sewer systems. By the same definition airpods and wedding rings are flushable too.

I've read that the controversy re: flushable wipes is a case of mistaken identity, both on the part of consumers (who might assume all wipes are flushable) and sanitation engineers (misidentifying baby wipes etc as flushable ones, which should be way disintegrated).

If wipes marketed as flushable were such a clear and direct problem, the iron-clad lawsuits would have wiped (heh) them off the market by now.

If you're super bored, you can watch videos of flushable wipes being tested. They disintegrate quickly, as designed.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#279

Post by mandmandam »

placesalt wrote: post #193
mandmandam wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've heard that a lot of the time the authors are happy to email you the paper directly, if you ask. Basically no one likes the academic paywalls, except for the world's most awful people [not an exaggeration].

I don’t like the academic publishing racket either, but that is an exaggeration. Presumably you were being sarcastic, but it’s still caustic. What stereolab called easy cynicism.

My comment replying to this shouldn't be flagged. It's well sourced, relevant, and polite.

If anyone would like to explain what that was about, I'd love to hear it.

Re: Microwaved plastic containers release microplastics into food

#280

Post by trallnag »

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 ;)

How do you seal glass containers?
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