[P2assist] Health Info

[Eileen Sousley]

Greg,

Thank you for looking up the e-mail on snopes.com.  I did not think I needed
to research this one.  However, since getting your e-mail I have looked
around a bit and wanted to share with you and the others what I have found.
Also I wanted to reiterate that the e-mail was not suggesting you shouldn't
use your microwave, it was simply suggesting to not use plastic when
reheating or cooking food.

What I have found from looking at some sites that came up in a Google search
is a consensus that plastic in microwaves IS potentially harmful.  People
are cautioned to:
- Use glass or ceramic containers for reheating or cooking food.
- Use only plastic materials specifically designed for use in the microwave.
- If using plastic wrap, make sure the plastic does not touch the food.
- Do not use cold storage containers in the microwave as they will warp and
are not designed for the microwave. 
- Do not use the disposable microwavable trays from packaged food more than
once in the microwave.

According to goaskalice.com some of the plastics contain plasticizers for
flexibility which, when microwaved, can be release into the food.  These
plasticizers "could mimic or compete with our hormones, which may produce
hormonal imbalance. This alteration could be associated with the development
of cancer, birth defects, and fertility difficulties."

So although the doctor is a Ph.D. and the TV station is in Hawaii, not
Alabama, the warning seems to be valid.

Thank you for helping to bring this into better focus,
Eileen

Please note new contact information 

 * 
Eileen Sousley
Waste Reduction/ Recycling Coordinator
Cabarrus County Solid Waste
(704)920-3279
ebsousley@co.cabarrus.nc.us <mailto:ebsousley@co.cabarrus.nc.us> 


-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Flynn 
Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2002 5:50 PM
To: p2assist@ncc-1701d.p2pays.org
Subject: Re: [P2assist] Health Info


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


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