Dr Shanna Swan has some clear advice for people on the use of plastic with food and drink
An expert on the impact of chemicals in what we eat and drink has warned people never to trust the phrase ‘microwave safe’. Dr Shanna Swan, professor of environmental medicine and reproductive health at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, issued the warning as she explained the risks plastic poses to people when it comes to what we consume.
She made the call in an appearance on The Huberman Lab podcast, one of the most popular science podcasts in the world. The professor warned about the chemicals in plastic and how they can get into your food and drink.
Her advice is important for anyone who puts plastic in a microwave – even ‘microwave-safe’ products. But it is also helpful for people who put plastic bottles in cars – which can get hot in the sun, exposing us to hidden risks.
Dr. Swan is considered by some to be the world’s leading expert on the harmful impact of chemicals in our food, water and cosmetics. Dr Andrew Huberman, the host of the podcast, asked her: “Is it true that ‘microwave-safe’ just means that the plastic won’t melt in the microwave?”
Dr Swan said: “Never, never put plastic in a microwave. So here’s the story.
“The BPA, phthalates, plasticisers are added to the plastic but they’re not chemically bound to it, ok. So if you put anything in a container that has these chemicals in it, and then put it in a hot environment, they will come out of the plastic and go into the food.
“So if you put your bottle in the car and the sun comes in and it warms the bottle, then the stuff goes into your water. You don’t want to mix these chemicals and your food. But if you do, the worst thing is to do it in a heated environment.”
BPA is a chemical used to make some plastics such as those in some water bottles hard. Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics soft and flexible. Plasticisers is an umbrella term for chemicals used to make plastic soft and flexible.
How can I reduce my exposure to plastics in food and drink?
The discussion looked at measures people could take to reduce their exposure to such chemicals. The pod saw her talk about how exposure to phthalates and other natural or man-made chemicals that can interfere with the body’s hormones – adversely affecting foetal development, puberty, and the adult brain and body. It looked at the global decline in human fertility “due to disruptive environmental toxins, such as pesticides, and certain foods and beverages we consume” – and what we can do to limit exposure to harmful chemicals.
Among the things people can consider are:
- reducing disposable plastic use
- making healthier food preparation, consumption, and storage choices
- and selecting personal and household products that don’t contain harmful toxins
The X account Camus shared the video from Dr Andrew Huberman’s well-known podcast. Dr Huberman has now shared this account’s warning.
It said: “‘Microwave-safe’ is a LIE if you care about your hormones.”
The account repeated the doctor’s warning and said: “NEVER put plastic in the microwave. Ever.
“Same with bottles left in a hot car — chemicals migrate straight into your water. Switch to glass or steel today or keep eating plasticizers.
“Your fertility is literally on the line. Who’s throwing out their plastic containers after watching this?”
