Does microwaving food in styrofoam impart chemicals into it?

Dangers in microwaving a styrofoam cup

It’s unclear. It’s probably okay if the styrofoam does not melt, but it probably does give off trace chemicals that will lace your food. The trace amounts probably don’t do anything and there is no evidence that it causes cancer, but that said I always try to not do it if I don’t have to.

You’re better off not getting styrofoam at all, though, as it’s horrible for the environent.

I have switched to storing and microwaving in glass as much as possible. I don’t know about styrofoam specifically, but I do believe plastics are bad news in a microwave, especially certain types. Having said that, I still once in a while wind up heating in styrofoam, but I have never had the styrofoam discolor. I also heat frozen dinners in the plastic container they come in. I believe the body can overcome these antagonists when in small doses, it’s when the body is bombarded daily or mulitple times a day that I think things add up. am not a scientist or a doctor; only have read abut some small studies done regarding plastics and how they affect hormones. I never read anything about styrofoam, but since it is a petrolium product I would assume it is worth considering as a problem. Wow, just think about how many people drink hot coffee from a styrofoam cup every day.

I also agree with @rarebear it is terrible for the environment if you can avoid it.

Styrofoam is made from polystyrene, a type of plastic, and is made from petroleum. It does leach chemicals into the food or into the air when melted or burned.

The chemicals found in Styrofoam are possible carcinogens and can contribute to a variety of cancers including breast and prostate cancer. Cancer is not the only health issue associated with polystyrene. Styrene can mimic the properties of the female hormone estrogen and cause thyroid problems as well as menstrual irregularities. Excessive exposure to styrene can also affect a person’s central nervous system, resulting in general fatigue, headaches, depression and kidney problems. Other effects of styrene exposure include skin and eye irritation, gastrointestinal problems, low hemoglobin and platelet counts, and abnormalities with chromosomes and the lymphatic system.

Read more: Dangers of Styrofoam Containers With Hot Liquids | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8446890_dangers-styrofoam-containers-hot-liquids.html#ixzz2SboukqBk

Does it seem like a good idea? Then it’s probably not.

Well, it didn’t NOT seem like a good idea at the time.