Why we should never microwave plastic
We’ve been there. We pull our leftovers out of the fridge and glance at the plastic container. For a second we consider – should we microwave this? But when we see that our container is “microwave safe,” we put it in the microwave.
We’ve all heard the advice to not microwave plastic. But is microwaving plastic really so bad?
In this blog, we will break down why we definitely should NOT microwave plastic, and what this reveals about plastic itself.
Does it really matter if we eat plastic?
Plastic is everywhere – but experts agree that for the sake of our health, we should avoid plastic as much as possible. Plastic’s health impact comes from two sources: plastic itself and the long list of chemicals manufacturers add to give plastic the qualities they want
Plastic itself
Plastics are polymers – chains of carbon molecules made from oil. Studies suggest that when plastics break down into microplastics (plastic particles between 5 millimeters and 1 micrometer), they could create immune and stress responses and induce reproductive and developmental toxicity. Recent research has also examined nanoplastics, plastics less than 1 micrometer in diameter. Experts claim that nanoplastics are likely more dangerous than microplastics. While kidneys are likely able to filter out the larger microplastics, nanoplastics are small enough to cross cell membranes into our cells.
Perhaps more alarming, we don’t know everything about plastics. We are just starting to document the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health, but studies suggest negative connections between the two. For example, one report linked the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in blood vessels to cardiovascular disease. But with a lack of causational research, we simply don’t know the long-term impact of plastic on our health.
Plastic chemicals
Plastic itself isn’t the only source of health impacts. To make plastic clear, rigid, or soft, manufacturers add a lengthy list of chemicals – and these chemicals also affect our health. This is because many plastic chemicals are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they disrupt our delicate hormone-signaling pathways.
Many of us have already heard of the most famous plastic chemicals. BPA, for example, is a proven endocrine disruptor which can alter hormone concentrations or metabolism. And phthalates have been linked to type II diabetes and insulin resistance, obesity, allergy, and asthma.
What happens when we microwave plastic?
Now that we know that plastic doesn’t do any favors for our health, this begs the question – does plastic actually get into our food? A 2023 study found that millions to billions of microplastics and nanoplastics enter food when stored in a plastic container in the refrigerator for ten days, and more particles enter our food when that food is acidic.
Microwaves supercharge this process. Heat speeds up hydrolysis, a chemical process where a water molecule is added to a substance and breaks plastic’s chemical bonds apart. As a result, plastic containers shed microplastics and nanoplastics into our food, as well as plastic chemicals (a process known as “leaching”). In fact, one study put baby food containers labeled “microwave safe” to the test. After being microwaved, the containers released 4.22 million microplastics and 1.21 billion nanoplastics per square centimeter.
Bottom line
We’re at a pivotal moment in the transition from single-use to reuse. Excitingly, individuals and institutional leaders are realizing the major environmental and cost-saving benefits of reusable containers. But at this moment, we have the opportunity to choose which type of reusable container we want to implement. True, we can choose reusable plastics. Or we can skip that step and opt for the best solution for both the environment and human health – plastic-free reusables.
At USEFULL, we firmly believe plastic shouldn’t be anywhere near our food. That’s why we built the only 100% plastic-free reusable takeout solution on the market.
Are you interested in chatting about plastic with us? Feel free to drop us a line!