# Of course it's dangerous to eat plastic... how dangerous? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 9, 2001, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-its-dangerous-to-eat-plastic-how-dangerous/92344 "2001-11-09T03:12:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-its-dangerous-to-eat-plastic-how-dangerous/92344/1 "2001-11-09T03:12:39Z")
I’ve just made a dish that’s been in my freezer for a long time. I didn’t make the dish actually, I just heated it up in the oven like the directions said. It was/is this Trader joe’s frozen Thai chicken thing with rice and it comes in a plastic container with a cardboard cover which you peel from the corner slightly and bake. When I took it out I noticed that the plastic container at one corner is cracked, not into 1000s of pieces, but a good substanial crack branching off in a few directions. While I was eating it I noticed there are more than a few plastic chips mixed in with the food. I got many out, like 6 or so, and they seem mostly big enough to be obvious to the eye at a glance, but I’m sure that there are more in there that I missed. How bad would it be if I swallowed a small one? It’s a really good dish and it could be my dinner for the next 4 days and I’d really hate to throw it out. What do ya think? ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-its-dangerous-to-eat-plastic-how-dangerous/92344/2 "2001-11-09T03:54:15Z")
In this case I asked Alice: [http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1534.html](http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1534.html) > [@](#): > > Yes, questions have been raised recently about whether or not microwaving food using plastic wrap and plastic containers is harmful to our health. The focus has been on plasticizers (chemicals used to make plastic more flexible), polyvinyl chloride, and polycarbonate. In particular, plasticizers and other chemicals may leach into food while it’s being heated in a microwave. The cause for concern is that some plasticizers could mimic or compete with our hormones, which may produce hormonal imbalance. This alteration could be associated with the development of cancer, birth defects, and fertility difficulties. > Since plastic has not been around for very long, and the risk of plasticizers and other chemicals found in plastic to human health remains uncertain, it’s probably a good idea to air on the side of caution, just in case. Scientists recommend that people follow precautions to prevent exposure to chemicals found in certain plastics that may migrate into foods when heated in the microwave. Among those precautions is one that specifically tells one not to use plastic containers that were frozen, and also not to reuse convenience food trays and containers in the microwave. [http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/pubs/fact\_microwave.htm](http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/pubs/fact_microwave.htm) > [@](#): > > Only use cookware that is specially manufactured for use in the microwave oven. Glass, ceramic containers, and all plastics should be labeled for microwave oven use. Next time remove the food from the packaging before defrosting unless the package says otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-its-dangerous-to-eat-plastic-how-dangerous/92344/3 "2001-11-09T18:53:17Z")
OK, thanks for the info, but in this case the directions imply that you leave the food in the original container. I guess the answers to both questions are probably related, but I’m asking specifically if I were to swallow a very small chip of the plastic, (not just whatever from the plastic may contaminate the food from the heat or melting or anything like that), how dangerous would that be? Should I throw out the food? ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-its-dangerous-to-eat-plastic-how-dangerous/92344/4 "2001-11-09T21:25:52Z")
IANAPolymer scientist, but I’m sure small chips are OK. I think the big problem (if it is a big problem) is that toxic elements from the packages might leech into your food in high-ish concentrations when nuked. But when not being bombarded with radiation, the chips would usually be pretty inert, at least in the small amount of time it takes to pass through your system. When I worked in the plastics warehouse we used to chew on whatever came through the door, and none of us have gotten mouth cancer yet. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-its-dangerous-to-eat-plastic-how-dangerous/92344/5 "2001-11-10T21:05:04Z")
What about the physical hazard of the chips, such as sharp edges? Sometimes plastic breaks into nasty slivers, especially if it is broken at a low temperature (this did involve freezing). It’s not like anything in the digestive tract is going to soften most plastics. Surely it would not do to lodge a sharp bit of polyanything in one of those fine diaphanous parts we seem so full of? ---
**Author:** ![aseymayo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@aseymayo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aseymayo)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-its-dangerous-to-eat-plastic-how-dangerous/92344/6 "2001-11-11T02:23:25Z")
> [@](#): > > …a good idea to air on the side of caution It might be a good idea to wonder why this Alice doesn’t know the difference between “to air” and “to err.” But at least she has the right idea. **Moe** - if you’re worried about eating plastic and you think the leftovers are plastic-infested, it’s not worth worrying about - throw it out! If you’re that hard up for food, I’ll spring for some new Trader Joe’s. ---
**Author:** ![dqa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dqa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dqa)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-its-dangerous-to-eat-plastic-how-dangerous/92344/7 "2001-11-11T05:06:39Z")
I called the manufacturer of a peanut butter jar to whine about the shredded plastic dust from the milling of the jar lid. This stuff had a tendency to drop into the PB after I closed the lid the first time, leaving little red specks on the surface. FWIW (not much) they assured me that there was no harm in consuming it. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2001, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-its-dangerous-to-eat-plastic-how-dangerous/92344/8 "2001-11-12T03:41:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by aseymayo \* > \*\*If you’re that hard up for food, I’ll spring for some new Trader Joe’s. \*\* Are you offering to buy me dinner? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![aseymayo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@aseymayo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aseymayo)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2001, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-its-dangerous-to-eat-plastic-how-dangerous/92344/9 "2001-11-12T04:18:20Z")
Absolutely - you sound like a cheap date.\* \*[sub]Sorry, **Moe** , I can’t do those smiley faces. I know _how_ to do them, I just can’t bring myself to _do_ them. You understand.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-its-dangerous-to-eat-plastic-how-dangerous/92344/10 "2001-11-13T20:08:49Z")
**Asey** I’m as cheap as they come. Pixie stix and water and a busy place to stare at people and I’m good for at least most of the night. 😃 BTW, I don’t really like pixie stix, it was just the cheapest thing I can think of at the moment. Oh **asey** , I hope this isn’t too personal, but, well, did an emoticon ever, you know, touch you in a, well, inappropriate way? (I understand if you don’t want to talk about it, but I’m here for you if you do)