According to a study conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the microwave ovens we use every day and love for their convenience may lead to ingesting significant amounts of plastic. Experiments revealed that plastic baby food containers heated in microwave ovens found on store shelves in the US released numerous plastic particles. This poses a significant risk, especially for children, and has alarmed everyone.
Microwave ovens release high amounts of plastic particles!
It has been found that microwave ovens release over 2 billion nanoplastics and 4 million microplastics per square centimeter of the mentioned baby food containers. Although the health effects of consuming micro and nanoplastics remain uncertain, the Nebraska team also discovered that three-quarters of cultured embryonic kidney cells died after exposure to the same particles.
A report from the World Health Organization in 2022 recommended limiting exposure to such particles. Kazi Albab Hussain, the lead author of the study and a doctoral student in construction and environmental engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, emphasized the importance of knowing how much micro and nanoplastics we are ingesting.
When we consume certain foods, we usually have knowledge or an idea about their calorie content, sugar levels, and other nutrients. It was highlighted that being aware of the number of plastic particles present in our food is equally important. The team began their research in 2021, focusing on plastic containers that millions of parents regularly use, while previous studies investigated the release of plastic particles from baby bottles.
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In this experiment, researchers filled the containers with either deionized water or 3% acetic acid. The latter aimed to simulate dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and other relatively acidic food items. They then heated them in a 1,000-watt microwave oven at full power for three minutes. Subsequently, they analyzed the liquids for evidence of micro and nanoplastics.
The actual number of particles released by the microwave oven varied depending on several factors, including the plastic container and the liquid inside it. However, the team relied on a model that accounted for particle release, body weight, and individual intake of various foods and beverages. Based on this model, the researchers estimate that infants and young children consuming dairy products heated in the microwave are exposed to the highest relative plastic concentrations.
The experiments revealed that both types of containers could lead to the release of micro and nanoplastics. With the assistance of Svetlana Romanova from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the team cultured embryonic kidney cells and exposed them to the actual plastic particles released from the containers. According to the team leader, this was a first-of-its-kind study worldwide.
Two days later, only 23% of the kidney cells exposed to the highest concentrations managed to survive. This death rate was much higher than what had been observed in previous micro and nanoplastic toxicity studies. While the team suspected that kidney cells might be more sensitive to particles compared to other cell types investigated in previous research, this experiment demonstrated the serious threat posed by microwaves.
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eam leader Hussain said, “We need to find polymers that emit fewer particles. Probably, researchers can develop plastics that do not release any micro or nanoplastics.” He added that if they can achieve this, the emission could be significantly reduced or even completely prevented.
The team reported their findings in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. Hussain and Romanova co-authored the study with Yusong Li, Mathias Schubert, Yongfeng Lu, Lucía Fernández-Ballester, Bing Wang, Xi Huang, Jesse Kuebler, Dong Zhang, and İlhami Okur all from the University of Nebraska. The researchers received support from the National Science Foundation and the Buffett Early Childhood Institute.
