How dangerous is it to warm food in the microwave using starfoam. I have been told that it can cause cancer.?

Answer 1

With respect to the safety of eating foods from a microwave; well this all depends on the containers used to heat the food in. Some plastics, for instance, are more prone to the effect of "migration". whereby some additives used in plastics are more likely to migrate to foods more than others. The main concern in the past has been in connection with plasticisers which are used to improve the flexibility of some packaging materials. As the tendency for plasticisers to migrate increases at higher temperatures, only those plastics specifically designed for oven use are suitable for cooking.

To reduce any possible risk one should;

* Use only microwave-safe utensils.
* While some packaging films may be labelled 'microwave-safe' care should be taken to avoid direct contact with the food when using them to cover containers or to reheat dinners on plates.
* As migration is more likely to occur into hot fatty foods, glass containers are a suitable choice for heating these products.

As yet there are no standards for claims such as "microwave safe"; if you are in doubt as to the safety of such materials contact the manufacturer or use a ceramic/glass alternative.

In the end, I guess time will tell as to what other possible adverse effects, microwave ovens may have on our lifes.

Answer 2

There is no problem with warming food in styro-foam containers in a microwave oven.

It will certainly not cause cancer.

If a microwave oven doesn't have a proper seal, as when the door has been damaged, then standing too close to the escaping radiation can possibly cause brain-damage.

A microwave oven works like this: The only thing that is exploited is the fact that all food has water in it (however minimal the amount).

The magnetron which is the core of the microwave oven plays on the positive and negative polarity in hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the water molecules of foods.

By rapidly changing the polarity, an agitation is built up which heats the food.

That's why paper won't burn in a microwave, normally, unless you put something in with it like aluminum foil, or use a metal container, which causes the microwaves to be reflected back to the source.

Seriously.

.

Answer 3

i heard the same thing about baby bottles being warmed in the microwave?

Answer 4

I had not heard this, however, I have had the foam fall apart so I wouldn't use it.

Answer 5

although I'm only 95% positive

That is CRAZY!