Chloe Zhang
For years, hoax emails have circulated with claims that freezing water in plastic bottles increases the risk of cancer. These emails have often been falsely attributed to Johns Hopkins University or the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The claim is that freezing water in plastic bottles releases a dangerous toxin called dioxin, which is a man-made compound linked to various health problems, including cancer. However, this claim has been debunked by the American Cancer Society, the FDA, and other reputable organizations. While it is important to be cautious about the potential health risks associated with plastic usage, there is no scientific evidence to support the specific claim that freezing water in plastic bottles causes cancer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does freezing water in plastic cause cancer? | No, it is a hoax/urban legend |
| What are the hoax claims based on? | Dioxin, a dangerous toxin |
| What is Dioxin? | A man-made toxin/compound linked to various health problems including cancer |
| Is Dioxin present in plastics? | No |
| Are there any toxins present in plastics? | Yes, phthalates, but they are not usually found in plastics used for water bottles in the US |
| Does freezing water in plastic bottles release toxins? | No, freezing works against the release of chemicals |
| Does the FDA approve plastic for food packaging? | Yes, the FDA has deemed plastic safe for food packaging under normal use |
| Does the FDA approve non-microwave-approved plastics for cooking? | No |
| Does the FDA approve non-microwave-approved plastics for reheating food? | No |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Freezing water in plastic bottles does not release dioxins
- Dioxins are toxic compounds that have been linked to cancer
- There is no evidence that freezing plastic water bottles increases cancer risk
- The FDA has deemed PET plastics safe for food packaging under normal use
- Heating plastics may increase the leaching of chemicals into water or food
Freezing water in plastic bottles does not release dioxins
There is no evidence that freezing water in plastic bottles releases dioxins. In fact, freezing works against the release of chemicals. Chemicals do not diffuse as readily in cold temperatures, which would limit chemical release if there were dioxins in plastic, but there is no indication that there are.
The myth that freezing water in plastic bottles releases dioxins was started by Dr. Edward Fujimoto, who made claims on a television show in Honolulu in 2002. A staffer with the American Cancer Society believed the claim and began forwarding the report through the organization's social channels. By 2007, an email credited to Johns Hopkins Hospital began circulating, further embedding the myth about the link between dioxin and plastic bottles. However, the medical institutions that were supposedly backing these claims have denied having anything to do with them.
The plastic used for bottled water is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which the FDA has deemed safe for food packaging under normal use. In their statement, the FDA stated that the levels of chemicals that might leach into foods from plastic containers were well within the margin of safety. The American Cancer Society has also debunked such claims, stating that DEHA is not inherent in the plastic used to make these bottles and that even if it was, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says DEHA "cannot reasonably be anticipated to cause cancer, teratogenic effects, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, gene mutations, liver, kidney, reproductive, or developmental toxicity or other serious or irreversible chronic health effects."
While freezing water in plastic bottles does not release dioxins, it is important to note that bacteria and fungi can grow in bottled water, so it is best to clean them out with hot, soapy water and leave them to dry before refilling them. It is also a good idea to avoid reheating foods in non-microwave-approved plastic containers.
Plastic Fumes: Are They Harmful to Your Health?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Dioxins are toxic compounds that have been linked to cancer
Freezing water in plastic bottles has long been rumoured to increase the risk of cancer. However, this claim has been debunked. The rumour was based on the idea that freezing water in plastic bottles causes a chain reaction, releasing a dangerous toxin called dioxin into the water when it thaws.
Dioxins are toxic chemical compounds that have been linked to cancer. They are a group of chemically related compounds that are persistent environmental pollutants (POPs). Dioxins are found throughout the world in the environment and they accumulate in the food chain, mainly in the fatty tissue of animals. More than 90% of human exposure is through food, mainly meat and dairy products, fish and shellfish. Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and cause cancer.
Chronic exposure of animals to dioxins has resulted in several types of cancer. TCDD, a type of dioxin, was evaluated by the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 1997 and 2012. Based on animal and human epidemiology data, IARC classified TCDD as a known human carcinogen. However, TCDD does not affect genetic material and there is a level of exposure below which cancer risk would be negligible.
Due to the omnipresence of dioxins, all people have background exposure and a certain level of dioxins in the body, leading to the so-called body burden. Current normal background exposure is not expected to affect human health on average. However, due to the high toxic potential of this class of compounds, efforts are needed to reduce current background exposure. The developing fetus is most sensitive to dioxin exposure. Newborns, with rapidly developing organ systems, may also be more vulnerable to certain effects.
It is important to note that there are no dioxins in plastics. In fact, freezing works against the release of chemicals. Chemicals do not diffuse as readily in cold temperatures, which would limit chemical release even if there were dioxins in plastic, but there aren't.
Meghan Kelly's Plastic Surgery: What's the Truth?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
There is no evidence that freezing plastic water bottles increases cancer risk
There is no evidence to support the claim that freezing water in plastic bottles increases the risk of cancer. This idea originated in the early 2000s from an email chain and a television claim by Dr. Edward Fujimoto, stating that freezing water in plastic bottles releases a toxin called dioxin, which has been linked to cancer. However, this claim was debunked by the American Cancer Society, the FDA, and the American Chemical Council, among others.
The plastic used for bottled water, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), has been deemed safe for food packaging by the FDA, and they have stated that the levels of chemicals leaching into food from plastic containers are well within the margin of safety. While it is important to be cautious about the potential risks of cancer, it is essential to refer to credible scientific resources for information. The American Cancer Society recommends speaking with a healthcare provider to get accurate information and ease any concerns about cancer risk.
Although freezing water in plastic bottles does not increase cancer risk, it is worth noting that bacteria and fungi can grow in bottled water over time. To prevent this, it is recommended to clean bottles with hot, soapy water and dry them before refilling. Additionally, while plastic water bottles are generally safe for one-time use, reusing them without proper cleaning and drying can allow harmful germs to grow, which can cause vomiting or diarrhea.
Furthermore, while freezing does not increase the release of chemicals, heating plastics can. It is best to avoid cooking or reheating food in non-microwave-safe plastic containers, as this can increase the leaching of chemicals into food or water. Overall, it is important to stay informed and rely on evidence-based sources to make informed decisions about health and cancer risk.
Beyond Meat Sausages: Plastic-Free or Plastic-Filled?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The FDA has deemed PET plastics safe for food packaging under normal use
For years, hoax emails have circulated claiming that freezing water in plastic bottles increases the risk of cancer. These emails have often been falsely attributed to credible institutions, such as Johns Hopkins University and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, causing widespread concern. However, these institutions have denied any involvement in such claims, and the myth has been debunked by medical professionals.
The plastic used for bottled water is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which the FDA has deemed safe for food packaging under normal use. The FDA closely monitors the substances used in food packaging and has issued statements denying any claims that these substances can leach into foods. In their evaluation, the FDA considers factors such as the intended temperature, type of food contact, duration of contact, and whether the plastic is for single or repeated use.
While it is true that chemicals can migrate from PET plastic into food under specific conditions, such as high temperatures, extended storage, or contact with acidic or fatty foods, regulatory bodies like the FDA have established safety limits. As long as production standards are met, the risk of contamination remains minimal. The FDA has determined that tertiary recycling processes produce PET plastic of suitable purity for food contact use, and they no longer evaluate these processes individually.
It is worth noting that the potential health risks of microplastics are still being studied. Consumers can minimize potential risks by avoiding aged or degraded plastic containers, especially those exposed to high temperatures, and opting for certified food-grade plastics. Recycled PET (rPET), when properly cleaned and processed under stringent standards, is considered safe for food packaging by regulatory bodies like the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
In summary, the FDA's evaluation and certification of PET plastic for food packaging ensure that it is safe for consumers under normal use. It is important to refer to credible scientific resources for information on cancer and avoid misinformation spread through social media or non-accredited websites.
Plastic Reeds: Wetting Needed or Unnecessary?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Heating plastics may increase the leaching of chemicals into water or food
For many years, hoax emails have circulated, warning that freezing water in plastic bottles increases the risk of cancer. These emails have often been falsely attributed to credible sources such as Johns Hopkins University, the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, or the American Cancer Society. However, these institutions have denied any involvement and have worked to debunk these claims.
The emails claim that freezing water in plastic bottles releases a dangerous toxin called dioxin, which is linked to various health problems, including cancer. While dioxin is a toxic compound found in the environment and has been associated with cancer, experts have confirmed that it is not present in plastics. Freezing water in plastic bottles does not cause the release of dioxin or other carcinogenic compounds.
While freezing water in plastic bottles does not pose a cancer risk, it is important to consider other potential issues. For example, reusing plastic water bottles without proper cleaning and drying can allow harmful germs to grow, potentially causing illness. Additionally, the plastic used for bottled water, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), has been deemed safe for food packaging by the FDA. However, some studies suggest that PET can leach small amounts of chemicals, such as antimony, which may have adverse health effects.
Overall, while freezing water in plastic bottles does not increase the risk of cancer, heating plastics may increase the leaching of chemicals. It is essential to follow guidelines and use appropriate containers for heating and storing food and beverages to minimize potential health risks.
LG Refrigerator Water Filters: Are They Plastic-Free?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, freezing water in plastic bottles does not cause cancer. This is a common misconception.
In the early 2000s, different versions of emails began circulating in the U.S. that warned of a chain reaction that releases a dangerous toxin called dioxin into the water when it thaws. Dioxin has been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer.
Dioxins are organic environmental pollutants sometimes referred to as the most toxic compounds made by humans. They are a group of chemicals that include 75 different chlorinated molecules of dibenzo-p-dioxin and 135 chlorinated dibenzofurans.
Although drinking water from plastic bottles is generally considered safe, it is important to note that bacteria and fungi can grow in bottled water if it is left for a long time. It is recommended to clean bottles with hot, soapy water and let them dry before refilling them.
