Plastic wrap causing cancer?

Taffer · 11th May 2006, 02:23 AM

I've recently recieved this email, and I'm wondering if anyone has any more information about it. I'm unable to provide a link, as I'm not sure where this originates.

Quote:

Cancer News from Johns Hopkins:

1--No plastic containers in micro.
2--No water bottles in freezer.
3--No plastic wrap in microwave.

Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters.

This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical
Center. Dioxin chemicals causes cancer, especially breast cancer.

Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies.

Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this
releases dioxins from the plastic.

Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle
Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He
talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us.

He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave
using plastic containers. This applies to foods that contain fat.

He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics
releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the
body.

Instead, he recommends using glass, Corning Ware or ceramic
containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without
the dioxin

So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should
be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper
isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer
to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc.

He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants
moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is
one of the reasons.

Also, he pointed out that Saran wrap is just as dangerous when
placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is
nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out
of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper
towel instead.

Something seems a bit off, to me, but I could be totally wrong. Why would freezing plastic release toxins?

MaxHardcore · 11th May 2006, 02:31 AM

not true

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cookplastic.asp

Taffer · 11th May 2006, 03:09 AM

Perfect. I figured as much, and Google failed to provide me with an answer (perhaps I wasn't looking hard enough). Thanks.

Gravy · 11th May 2006, 03:20 AM

Originally Posted by Taffer

I've recently recieved this email, and I'm wondering if anyone has any more information about it. I'm unable to provide a link, as I'm not sure where this originates.
Something seems a bit off, to me, but I could be totally wrong. Why would freezing plastic release toxins?

This is an unscientific observation, but it's probably a good idea to distrust any source that claims a material relaeses a carcinogen when heated or frozen, but not at room temperature.

Damn Corning glass lobby.

bjb · 11th May 2006, 10:16 AM

I can believe heat would release or crease a carcinogen, but not cold. Acrylamide is a carcinogen that can be created by cooking certain foods:

http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20020824/bob9.asp

I think it is strange that someone would create a fake email about health problems from plastic wrap when an email about acrylmide would be far more difficult to debunk.

cbish · 11th May 2006, 10:31 AM

This is an internet hoax that's been floating around for some time. I don't even think the people from John Hopkins as cited even exist.

Spidey13 · 11th May 2006, 10:43 AM

Dammit, Taffer. Don't you read my threads?
http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=54556

Anyway, here are two links to Johns Hopkins debunking this.
http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnew...n_dioxins.html
http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnew..._plastics.html

NeilC · 11th May 2006, 10:49 AM

http://www.plasticsmythbuster.org/dioxins.asp?src=goog

tsg · 11th May 2006, 10:49 AM

Rule #1: Anything forwarded more than twice through email is fake.

bluess · 11th May 2006, 12:54 PM

Especially if its from idiot office-mate.

Who has stopped forwarding me things now that I send out snopes links to everyone she originally emailed.

tsg · 11th May 2006, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by bluess

Especially if its from idiot office-mate.

Who has stopped forwarding me things now that I send out snopes links to everyone she originally emailed.

Amazing how well that works. Of course the people I've done it to haven't stopped forwarding the things, they just don't forward them to me.

Which is fine with me.

patnray · 11th May 2006, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by bluess

Who has stopped forwarding me things now that I send out snopes links to everyone she originally emailed.

Yep. Works for me too. I send it just to the sender the first time I get such drivel from a person, but reply to everyone the second time the same person forwards junk to me. No one has ever done it to me a third time...

Taffer · 11th May 2006, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by Spidey13

Dammit, Taffer. Don't you read my threads?
http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=54556

Nope, I never read your threads. They are pointless and a waste of time. You never have anything worthwhile to say.

(Opps, sorry. Should have checked first)

Quote:

Anyway, here are two links to Johns Hopkins debunking this.
http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnew...n_dioxins.html
http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnew..._plastics.html

Thanks, I'll take a look at them. Also thanks to all the others who've supplied me with links. I linked the sender of this email to snopes, and basically got the reply "yeah, ok, but I still won't use plastics".

Oh well.

Verde · 11th May 2006, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by patnray

Yep. Works for me too. I send it just to the sender the first time I get such drivel from a person, but reply to everyone the second time the same person forwards junk to me. No one has ever done it to me a third time...

I'm glad that very few of these folks don't know what the 'bcc:' field is for. Gives me an opportunity to spread what appears to be quite directed comments.

Trying not to derail here, and getting back to the OP; I have done quite a bit of work at a couple of the Corning plants, and can assert that their products release just as much dioxin as the typical plastic container.

[ETA: None!]

Taffer · 12th May 2006, 03:32 AM

Ha! Take that all you plastic wrap...alarmist...people...

Spidey13 · 12th May 2006, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by Taffer

Nope, I never read your threads. They are pointless and a waste of time. You never have anything worthwhile to say.

But I'm so darn cute.

Taffer · 12th May 2006, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by Spidey13

But I'm so darn cute.

Kawaii♥!

11th May 2006, 02:23 AM	#1
Taffer Shén Tōu Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,012	Plastic wrap causing cancer? I've recently recieved this email, and I'm wondering if anyone has any more information about it. I'm unable to provide a link, as I'm not sure where this originates. Quote: Cancer News from Johns Hopkins: 1--No plastic containers in micro. 2--No water bottles in freezer. 3--No plastic wrap in microwave. Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Dioxin chemicals causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, Corning Ware or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons. Also, he pointed out that Saran wrap is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead. Something seems a bit off, to me, but I could be totally wrong. Why would freezing plastic release toxins?
Taffer Shén Tōu Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,012	__________________ Die Dulce Fruere "Whereof one cannot speak, Thereof one must be silent." BUILDS YOUR ROOFS OF DEAD WOOD. BUILDS YOUR WALLS OF DEAD STONE. BUILDS YOUR DREAMS OF DEAD THOUGHTS. COMES CRYING LAUGHING SINGING BACK TO LIFE, TAKES WHAT YOU STEAL, AND PULLS THE SKINS FROM YOUR DEAD BONES SHRIEKING. -- Clay tablet in an abandoned Trickster temple.

11th May 2006, 02:31 AM	#2
MaxHardcore Scholar Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 80	not true http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cookplastic.asp
MaxHardcore Scholar Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 80

11th May 2006, 03:09 AM	#3
Taffer Shén Tōu Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,012	Perfect. I figured as much, and Google failed to provide me with an answer (perhaps I wasn't looking hard enough). Thanks.
Taffer Shén Tōu Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,012	__________________ Die Dulce Fruere "Whereof one cannot speak, Thereof one must be silent." BUILDS YOUR ROOFS OF DEAD WOOD. BUILDS YOUR WALLS OF DEAD STONE. BUILDS YOUR DREAMS OF DEAD THOUGHTS. COMES CRYING LAUGHING SINGING BACK TO LIFE, TAKES WHAT YOU STEAL, AND PULLS THE SKINS FROM YOUR DEAD BONES SHRIEKING. -- Clay tablet in an abandoned Trickster temple.

11th May 2006, 03:20 AM	#4
Gravy Downsitting Citizen Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: In the argyle Posts: 17,062	Originally Posted by Taffer I've recently recieved this email, and I'm wondering if anyone has any more information about it. I'm unable to provide a link, as I'm not sure where this originates. Something seems a bit off, to me, but I could be totally wrong. Why would freezing plastic release toxins? This is an unscientific observation, but it's probably a good idea to distrust any source that claims a material relaeses a carcinogen when heated or frozen, but not at room temperature. Damn Corning glass lobby.
	__________________ "Please, keep your chops cool and don’t overblow.” –Freddie Hubbard What's the Harm?........Stop Sylvia Browne........My 9/11 links

11th May 2006, 10:16 AM	#5
bjb Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,079	I can believe heat would release or crease a carcinogen, but not cold. Acrylamide is a carcinogen that can be created by cooking certain foods: http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20020824/bob9.asp I think it is strange that someone would create a fake email about health problems from plastic wrap when an email about acrylmide would be far more difficult to debunk.
bjb Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,079

11th May 2006, 10:31 AM	#6
cbish Graduate Poster Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Nevada City, CA Posts: 1,191	This is an internet hoax that's been floating around for some time. I don't even think the people from John Hopkins as cited even exist.
	__________________ You have to live it to believe it! If English was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for you!

11th May 2006, 10:43 AM	#7
Spidey13 Pastor of Muppets Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Goshen, KY Posts: 3,600	Dammit, Taffer. Don't you read my threads? http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=54556 Anyway, here are two links to Johns Hopkins debunking this. http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnew...n_dioxins.html http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnew..._plastics.html
	__________________ "I love you like a fat kid love cake." - 50 Cent

11th May 2006, 10:49 AM	#8
NeilC Graduate Poster Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,085	http://www.plasticsmythbuster.org/dioxins.asp?src=goog

11th May 2006, 10:49 AM	#9
tsg Philosopher Pither Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Location: Location: Posts: 6,771	Rule #1: Anything forwarded more than twice through email is fake.
	__________________ Being offended by someone questioning your beliefs is a sign that you should be questioning them. In the beginning there was nothing. And the Lord said "Let There Be Light!" And still there was nothing, but at least now you could see it.

11th May 2006, 12:54 PM	#10
bluess Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Dithering between book choices in a shop somewhere. Posts: 3,247	Especially if its from idiot office-mate. Who has stopped forwarding me things now that I send out snopes links to everyone she originally emailed.
	__________________ 'Lord Emsworth, that amiable but bone-headed peer, stood at the window drooping like a wet sock.' -PG Wodehouse, The Crime Wave at Blandings

11th May 2006, 12:56 PM	#11
tsg Philosopher Pither Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Location: Location: Posts: 6,771	Originally Posted by bluess Especially if its from idiot office-mate. Who has stopped forwarding me things now that I send out snopes links to everyone she originally emailed. Amazing how well that works. Of course the people I've done it to haven't stopped forwarding the things, they just don't forward them to me. Which is fine with me.
	__________________ Being offended by someone questioning your beliefs is a sign that you should be questioning them. In the beginning there was nothing. And the Lord said "Let There Be Light!" And still there was nothing, but at least now you could see it.

11th May 2006, 02:11 PM	#12
patnray Graduate Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,018	Originally Posted by bluess Who has stopped forwarding me things now that I send out snopes links to everyone she originally emailed. Yep. Works for me too. I send it just to the sender the first time I get such drivel from a person, but reply to everyone the second time the same person forwards junk to me. No one has ever done it to me a third time...
	__________________ Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali A powerful and moving story of a strong and courageous woman’s struggle to free herself from a culture that treats women as property. Despite repeated death threats from religious zealots, she campaigns tirelessly for the rights of Muslim women. A tearful, chilling, yet inspiring, tale of personal triumph and dedication to free expression.

11th May 2006, 09:51 PM	#13
Taffer Shén Tōu Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,012	Originally Posted by Spidey13 Dammit, Taffer. Don't you read my threads? http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=54556 Nope, I never read your threads. They are pointless and a waste of time. You never have anything worthwhile to say. (Opps, sorry. Should have checked first) Quote: Anyway, here are two links to Johns Hopkins debunking this. http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnew...n_dioxins.html http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnew..._plastics.html Thanks, I'll take a look at them. Also thanks to all the others who've supplied me with links. I linked the sender of this email to snopes, and basically got the reply "yeah, ok, but I still won't use plastics". Oh well.
Taffer Shén Tōu Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,012	__________________ Die Dulce Fruere "Whereof one cannot speak, Thereof one must be silent." BUILDS YOUR ROOFS OF DEAD WOOD. BUILDS YOUR WALLS OF DEAD STONE. BUILDS YOUR DREAMS OF DEAD THOUGHTS. COMES CRYING LAUGHING SINGING BACK TO LIFE, TAKES WHAT YOU STEAL, AND PULLS THE SKINS FROM YOUR DEAD BONES SHRIEKING. -- Clay tablet in an abandoned Trickster temple. Last edited by Taffer; 11th May 2006 at 09:54 PM.

11th May 2006, 11:39 PM	#14
Verde Thinker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Where the jackalopes roam. Posts: 189	Originally Posted by patnray Yep. Works for me too. I send it just to the sender the first time I get such drivel from a person, but reply to everyone the second time the same person forwards junk to me. No one has ever done it to me a third time... I'm glad that very few of these folks don't know what the 'bcc:' field is for. Gives me an opportunity to spread what appears to be quite directed comments. Trying not to derail here, and getting back to the OP; I have done quite a bit of work at a couple of the Corning plants, and can assert that their products release just as much dioxin as the typical plastic container. [ETA: None!]

12th May 2006, 03:32 AM	#15
Taffer Shén Tōu Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,012	Ha! Take that all you plastic wrap...alarmist...people...
Taffer Shén Tōu Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,012	__________________ Die Dulce Fruere "Whereof one cannot speak, Thereof one must be silent." BUILDS YOUR ROOFS OF DEAD WOOD. BUILDS YOUR WALLS OF DEAD STONE. BUILDS YOUR DREAMS OF DEAD THOUGHTS. COMES CRYING LAUGHING SINGING BACK TO LIFE, TAKES WHAT YOU STEAL, AND PULLS THE SKINS FROM YOUR DEAD BONES SHRIEKING. -- Clay tablet in an abandoned Trickster temple.

12th May 2006, 09:31 PM	#16
Spidey13 Pastor of Muppets Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Goshen, KY Posts: 3,600	Originally Posted by Taffer Nope, I never read your threads. They are pointless and a waste of time. You never have anything worthwhile to say. But I'm so darn cute.
	__________________ "I love you like a fat kid love cake." - 50 Cent

12th May 2006, 10:42 PM	#17
Taffer Shén Tōu Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,012	Originally Posted by Spidey13 But I'm so darn cute. Kawaii♥!
Taffer Shén Tōu Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,012	__________________ Die Dulce Fruere "Whereof one cannot speak, Thereof one must be silent." BUILDS YOUR ROOFS OF DEAD WOOD. BUILDS YOUR WALLS OF DEAD STONE. BUILDS YOUR DREAMS OF DEAD THOUGHTS. COMES CRYING LAUGHING SINGING BACK TO LIFE, TAKES WHAT YOU STEAL, AND PULLS THE SKINS FROM YOUR DEAD BONES SHRIEKING. -- Clay tablet in an abandoned Trickster temple.