Microwaving Containers Releases Billions of Nanoplastics, Study Finds

A study from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has found that microwaving plastic baby food containers can release billions of nanoplastics and millions of microplastics per square centimeter of container. The health effects of consuming these particles are still unclear, but the study showed that three-quarters of cultured embryonic kidney cells died after exposure. The researchers recommend limiting exposure to micro- and nanoplastics, and urge parents to choose plastic containers wisely. The study highlights the need for alternative materials that release fewer particles, and the hope for future products labeled as "microplastics-free" or "nanoplastics-free."