Don't Microwave that food in plastic wrap!

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"Student Finishes Carcinogen Research"

 

 

Don't Microwave that food in plastic wrap!

At age 12 Claire Nelson, then in seventh grade, wondered if cancer causing particles leak into food covered with plastic wrap while being microwaved. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) had never tested whether carcinogens leaked into food being microwaved. With persistence and help form Jon Wilkes, a scientist at the National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson Arkansas, Claire (now in college) finally has her answer- YES THEY DO!

By microwaving 4 different kinds plastic wrap in virgin olive oil Claire found that both carcinogens and xenoestrogen were migrating into the oil from the plastic wrap. Xenoestrogen has been linked to low sperm counts in men and breast cancer in women. Further research demonstrated that levels on one particular suspected carcinogen, di(ethylhexyl)adepate or DEHA, migrating into oil at between 200 and 500 parts per million. The FDA standard is 0.05 parts per billion for DEHA! There are not currently any regulations regarding xenoestrogen.

Along the way Claire has received much recognition and acclaim for her accomplishments including the American Chemical Society's top science prize for students while a junior in high school and a fourth place finish in the International Science and Engineering Fair in 1999.

Bottom Line

We do not know the significance of these findings or if the same degree of leakage will happen when wrap is microwaved with water, not oil, based foods.

These findings certainly give those of us who microwave foods in plastic wraps (almost of us who can't afford a live in chef) something to think about!

 

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Adapted from "Student Wraps Up Carcinogen Research" by Chris Lehourites, Associated Press, in Los Angeles Times May 7, 2000.

 

 

 

 

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