[P2assist] Health Info

[Greg Flynn]

There are elements of truth to the microwave/ plastic story but the
email circulating is an urban legend/chain letter in the making.  As it
gets passed along some of the facts get lost or fuzzy.  Please be
careful about passing along unsolicited and unverified information.

For background on the email:
http://www.snopes2.com/toxins/plastic.htm
http://www.breakthechain.org/exclusives/dioxins.html

Story #1:  The plastic was essentially fried in oil.
Story #2:  The Dr. is a PhD, not a medical doctor.  The Channel 2 was in
Hawaii not Alabama.

I personally wouldn't zap leftovers in a clamshell.  Oils and fats will
always get hotter than water in any oven. That high heat and some
plastics don't mix too well.  High heat and some oils don't mix too well
either.  Olive oil breaks down at lower temperatures than say canola
oil.

If there is enough fat in my food to cause a problem with plastic I
shouldn't be eating that food in the first place.  Pollution wise I'd
rather have a 1000W microwave running for 5 minutes than a 3000W oven
running for 25 minutes.  The effects can be controlled locally.

Greg Flynn

--
Greg Flynn, Facility Architect
NC Division of Forest Resources
1616 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1616
919-733-2162 x 210
919-218-4820  cell
919-733-2835   fax