At Boycott Watch, we have debunked
many false rumors sent via email and this is one we thought we had debunked
long ago, as we first received this email long ago, but it looks like this one
just got away.
Anyhow, an email is circularizing
which claims that research from "John Hopkins" reveals that you can get
dangerous dioxin poisoning from microwaving plastic. First, the actual name is
"Johns Hopkins" and not "John Hopkins," which was our first clue the email is
false. Second, dioxins have been banned for decades, so people should realize
this is a problem with the email before forwarding it.
More importantly, a simple check on the Internet will
take you to a page on Johns Hopkins website where they thoroughly debunk the
email, which is after all falsely attributed to them. Their very thorough
report is titled "Researcher Dispels Myth of Dioxins and Plastic Water Bottles"
which is posted at
http://www.jhsph.edu/publichealthnews/articles/halden_dioxins.html
In summary, Boycott Watch once again warns people not
to forward such emails, as they are meant to look real, but are most probably
hoaxes, just as this one is a hoax. Incidentally, this email is formatted so
sloppily that the average 3rd grader could have done a better job.
--- Beginning of text from the original email ---
An important message from Johns Hopkins
Subject: CANCER UPDATES FROM JOHN HOPKINS
YOU HAVE READ THIS PLEASE READ IT AGAIN
Cancer Update from John Hopkins
This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army
Medical Center as well.
Please circulate to all you know; Cancer update
A dioxin chemical 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, 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 especially 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, such as Corning Ware,
Pyrex 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 plastic wrap, such as Saran, 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.
This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your life!
--- End of text from the original email ---
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