By Emmanuel Ogbodo
Dr. Shanna Swan, a fertility scientist and expert on endocrine disruptors, has warned against microwaving food in plastic containers due to risks posed by harmful chemicals such as BPA and phthalates.
Speaking on a health podcast, Swan explained that these chemicals, often used to enhance plastic durability, can leach into food when exposed to heat.
“These substances are not strongly bonded to the plastic, making them likely to escape under heat,” she said.
Research has linked BPA and phthalates to fertility issues, including reduced sperm quality in men and impaired ovarian function in women.
Swan, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, also cautioned against leaving plastic bottles in hot environments, as this could increase chemical exposure.
She advised switching to glass or ceramic containers for microwaving and choosing organic products to limit exposure to pesticides containing phthalates.
BPA and its substitutes, Bisphenol S and F, are associated with hormone disruption, cancer risks, and hormonal imbalances.
Phthalates, meanwhile, have been linked to decreased testosterone in men and ovarian health problems in women.
Although British food safety authorities have deemed current exposure levels to BPA “not harmful,” the Food Standards Agency is reviewing new findings.
Swan emphasized the need to reduce exposure to these chemicals, citing their potential role in declining global fertility rates.
“Safeguarding reproductive health requires urgent attention to these risks,” she concluded.
