Are nonstick teflon pans dangerous? How about microwaving tupperware?!
Are nonstick teflon pans dangerous? How about microwaving tupperware?
Answers:
The only danger of nonstick substances that I know of- beyond the possibility of ingestion, but you can usually tell when the surface of your Teflon starts to flake- is that when they get heated too hot they let off a chemical that's supposedly dangerous to birds. The only reason I know that is the petshop I worked at, which warned people not to keep birds in the kitchen- but people do it all the time and I've never heard of one dropping dead because people made a stir-fry. So I would say no, teflon is not dangerous. Just don't eat it.
I don't know about the actual brand tupperware, but most of those products- ziploc, rubbermaid, snap-lock, the cheap grocery-store knockoffs which are the ones I usually use- are microwave safe to varying degrees. If you flip the product over it will usually say something on the bottom like "microwave and dishwasher safe, not for use in conventional oven or stovetop," or some variation thereof.
There are some concerns about flexible plastics leaking various chemicals (this covers everything from plastic water bottles to the cling-wrap your grocery store meats are wrapped in), so maybe that's what you're asking about. Such chemicals include phthalates, which may be carcinagenic and linked to birth-defects, and Bisphenol A, which is a hormone disrupter and is by some people considered linked to the rise in illnesses like endometriosis. So it's possible microwaving your tupperware might put that stuff in your food. I haven't given up plastic yet, personally.
The biggest danger is probably sloshing hot liquid on yourself when the heat makes the plastic softer and more flexible.
Source(s):
Plastics (originally my neuro-psychology professor, but some information is available here): http://www.nontoxiclife.com.au/index.php...
Never heard that teflon was dangerous and I microwave tupperware all the time. So far, so good.
teflon is ok
tupperware is M/W safe
If your teflon pan is scratched and the coating is coming off, I would stop using it. I have heard that you do not want to ingest that stuff. Dont know what the effect are/could be. Just heard you should toss it if it damaged/peeling/chipped. I suppose that also depends on the severity of the damage.
Dont use Tupperware, so I am not any help there.
Teflon, when heated on a stove with nothing in it ,will give off noxious fumes. Tupperware should be marked Microwave safe.
Microwaves and everything what connects with are much dangerous than teflon. So, try to use it as rare as possible and cover by some special lid what you do warm up in microwave. The teflon has to be prefered also for a quick cook. My advice as a nutrition expert.
Two of the Top Ten Unfounded Health Risks of 2004 involve Teflon and plastics.
There was concern over a chemical used in the making of Teflon and its effects on Dow employees, but the chemical PFOA was found not to be present in the final Teflon coating. Bottom line: SAFE.
Because there are several different kinds of plastics, I can't speak for or against microwaving them. I'm not sure if you are using the term "tupperware" like people use "Kleenex"..... meaning all plastic containers of various name brands. Check the bottom of your generic plastic for a triangle with a number in it. You can search that number to identify the plastic composition. I can, however, speak knowledgeably about Tupperware as I am a consultant.
If chemical leaching is your worry....be not afraid. Tupperware is safe.
There are 3 product lines in Tupperware that are DESIGNED for microwave use; Rock N Serve, Heat N Serve, and Crystal Wave (current catalog offerings, excludes past products). Their seals are vented and designed to accompany the containers into the microwave. Others may be used to REHEAT ONLY in the microwave; only at 50% - 70% power. None of these have seals that are microwaveable. Others are just not intended for microwave use at all. It's not that the containers will be damaged by the microwave....they will be damaged by the food that has reached such high temperatures (especially foods with high fat or sugar content). You wouldn't take a hot meal out of your oven and immediately put it in any plastic container without risking damage.