Editing Microwave oven (section)

=== Chemical exposure ===
[[File:Symbol Microwave oven.svg|thumb|50x50px|Microwave-safe symbol]]
The use of unmarked plastics for microwave cooking raises the issue of [[plasticizer]]s leaching into the food.<ref name="harvhealth">{{cite web|title=Microwaving food in plastic: Dangerous or not?|date=December 2019|url=https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/microwaving-food-in-plastic-dangerous-or-not|publisher=Harvard Health Publishing (Harvard U.)}}</ref>

The plasticizers which received the most attention are [[bisphenol A]] (BPA) and [[phthalates]],<ref name="harvhealth" /><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Phthalates and attributable mortality: A population-based longitudinal cohort study and cost analysis|first1=Leonardo|last1=Trasande|first2=Buyun|last2=Liu|first3=Wei|last3=Bao|date=January 1, 2022|journal=Environmental Pollution|volume=292|issue=Pt A |pages=118021|doi=10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118021|pmid=34654571 |pmc=8616787 |bibcode=2022EPoll.29218021T }}</ref> although it is unclear whether other plastic components present a toxicity risk.  Other issues include melting and flammability.  An alleged issue of release of [[dioxins]] into food has been dismissed<ref name="harvhealth" /> as an intentional [[red herring]] distraction from actual safety issues.

Some current plastic containers and food [[plastic wrap|wraps]] are specifically designed to resist radiation from microwaves.  Products may use the term "microwave safe",  may carry a microwave symbol (three lines of waves, one above the other) or simply provide instructions for proper microwave oven use. Any of these is an indication that a product is suitable for microwaving when used in accordance with the directions provided.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.plasticsinfo.org/s_plasticsinfo/sec_level2_faq.asp?CID=703&DID=2837 | title=FAQs: Using Plastics in the Microwave | publisher=American Chemistry Council | access-date=May 12, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926171011/http://plasticsinfo.org/s_plasticsinfo/sec_level2_faq.asp?CID=703&DID=2837 | archive-date=September 26, 2010 }}</ref>

Plastic containers can release [[microplastics]] into food when heated in microwave ovens.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Nebraska study finds billions of nanoplastics released when microwaving containers |url=https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/nebraska-study-finds-billions-of-nanoplastics-released-when-microwaving/ |access-date=September 4, 2023 |website=news.unl.edu |language=en}}</ref>