Is Microwaving Plastic Containers Safe?
“I don’t use plastic wrap in the microwave because i worry about the petroleum that they use in the manufacturing and because of the fumes that could get into the food.” Many people are concerned and confused about using plastic containers and wraps in the microwave, thanks largely to widely-circulated warnings on the Internet. As with many e-mail rumors, these have generated lots of heat without shedding much light. One of the scariest warnings is that zapping plastic containers releases cancer-causing chemicals called dioxins. In fact this is false. There are no dioxins in plastic containers, nor does microwaving cause the chemicals to form. Another claim is that substances called plasticizers, which are in wraps and containers to help make the plastic flexible, leach into food during cooking and cause harm. It’s true that small amounts can make their way into fatty foods during heating or even at cooler temperatures. While some of these chemicals cause harm to lab animals, there’s l
