Heating single-use plastic tableware in a microwave oven unexpectedly led to mass food poisoning. This accident, caused by a lack of common sense, has sounded a warning bell for the public. Medical experts have issued a reminder: as the pace of life accelerates and fast-food culture gradually permeates daily life, while single-use plastic tableware and microwaveable foods offer the advantages of being hygienic and convenient, they also harbor hidden "safety traps." Citizens should pay close attention to avoid accidents.
Chen Hao, Chief Physician of the Emergency Department at Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, explained: Currently, most single-use plastic tableware is made of polystyrene. Because polystyrene is difficult to decompose in the natural environment, it is also known as "white pollution." Numerous studies abroad have shown that if the material of single-use plastic tableware is not fully polymerized, it can synthesize substances such as styrene monomers, dimers, and trimers. If used to package food (especially hot food), it poses a potential threat to human health. Furthermore, polystyrene can decompose toxic substances under high-temperature heating conditions, and long-term exposure may lead to chronic poisoning, causing symptoms such as neurasthenia and damage to the liver and kidneys.
In daily life, using a microwave oven to heat food has become a common choice for many citizens. Medical experts point out that microwave heating not only leads to nutrient loss but may also alter the molecular structure of food. The principle of microwave heating is simple: it uses electromagnetic waves to reflect back and forth inside the oven, generating great friction and thus heat. Data shows that microwave heating can cause a 65% to 70% loss in nutritional value, with significant depletion of vitamins C and E, and little to no nutritional value remaining in proteins. Chen Hao stated that although there is no definitive research to date proving that microwaveable food directly causes cancer in humans, the alteration of the food's molecular structure creates unknown substances, inevitably increasing safety risks.
Experts therefore advise: In daily life, citizens should try to avoid using single-use plastic tableware, which is beneficial for both environmental protection and human health. For new types of heatable plastic tableware, citizens should also scientifically identify labels and use them properly to prevent accidents. If time permits, it is recommended that citizens choose alternative methods to heat food instead of using a microwave oven to ensure both nutrition and safety.