Q: Call me paranoid, but I refuse to use a microwave. Do they cause cancer?
A: No, but they do cause more than extreme pizza sogginess. About 90 percent of Americans have plastic residue in their urine because they microwave in plastic (that residue is called phthalates, for you spelling-bee champs). This is potentially harmful because some additives used in the manufacturing of plastics, particularly those that make it pliable, may migrate into food, especially at high temperatures. Only those plastic containers that have been specifically designed for microwave cooking should be used, and they should be discarded when the surface shows any signs of breaking down. |
