Freezing Plastic Water Bottles Could Kill You, says LEAS

The Labour-Environmental Alliance Society is warning people not to freeze water in plastic containers, after a recent report by a local physician.

“Don't freeze your plastic water bottles with water as this also releases dioxins in the plastic, according to Dr. Edward Fujimoto, director of wellness programs for the regional health authority,” says LEAS in a press statement. “He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This applies to foods that contain fat.”

The LEAS report also warns about heating food wrapped with saran wrap in microwave ovens, claiming that the radiated heat can cause poisons to be released from the wrap into the food.

“He said that the combination of fat, high heat and plastics releases dioxins into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body,” the report said. “Dioxins are carcinogens and highly toxic to the cells of our bodies.  Instead, he recommends using glass, Corning Ware, or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results without the dioxins.”

So, LEAS warns, such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups should be removed from the container and heated in something else, such as tempered glass or Corning Ware.

Even heating or freezing food items in paper can be risky, according to Fujimoto, since various paper products also contain chemicals that can produce dioxins, LEAS said.

“He said we might remember when some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper.”