Silicone bakeware has become a staple in many kitchens due to its flexible, yet temperature-tolerant nature. New research from Canada shows it could be causing trouble for your liver and lungs, however.
The siloxanes that make up silicone bakeware can target “the liver through oral exposure, as well as the liver and lungs through inhalation exposure.” The fat content of the food being baked is also a factor as these compounds are lipophilic, so higher fat foods will absorb more siloxanes than lower fat foods.
Don’t throw out all your silicone yet, though. The researchers say, “the results showed a consistent decreasing trend in migration levels across consecutive weekly baking sessions, with no increase after the seven-month interval.” So, that dingy looking silicone mat you’ve used a hundred times is safer than a brand new, brightly-colored one.
This seems like an example of how glass and (non-heavy) metal are usually the best way to go when handling food. While we’re talking about ovens, do they really need to run a connectivity check? They certainly could be improved with a DIY thermometer or by making a more practical solar-powered example.
The older I get, the more it becomes apparent that someone is always trying to convince me that whatever I’m doing is killing me. Unfortunately living leads to death with 100% certainty.
Science journalism is the boy who cried wolf. If people wonder why the average peasant now has doubts about things like germ theory and vaccines, look no further. Should’ve just kept their mouths shut.
let the troll feeding begin!
Results from the past are no guarantee for the future; and assumptions are the mother of all f*ck-ups.
” Repeated baking shows a steady decline in migration and emissions, suggesting depletion of siloxanes in the products over time. ”
Having worked in silicone medical device manufacturing for 2 decades Id like to offer a probable explanation. Low quality silicone, and poor post cure procedure in budget oriented manufacturing facilities lead to excess residual siloxanes.
Depending on the type of silicone used baking for somewhere between 2 hours at 177°C to 4 hours at 200°C would virtually eliminate any residual siloxanes. Naturally you would want to have good ventilation and avoid inhaling any potential fumes emitted to sidestep the respiratory risks implied by this study.
How does this relate to silicone lube on condoms and such? You literally stuff that inside of your mucous membranes. Makes me wonder a bit about the safety of that.
It doesnt.
The issue is with uncrosslinked siloxane molecules (monomers).
In the most basic terms, a bit inaccurate but simple to understand, If you have to have absolutely precisely 1:1 part A to Part B to have a fully cured part. If you have 1.00000001:1 you will have some residual free siloxanes that need to be removed during postcure. Similar an mSLA print going into a UV postcure oven, in medical device manufacturing we place silicone into vacuum ovens to purge any residual free siloxane molecules. Bakewear manufacturers are using lower grade silicones and not adequately post curing their products leaving excessive free siloxane monomeric molecules to “post cure” into your meals and homes.
Silicone lube is made of silicone POLYmers like dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, and dimethiconol. These tend to be quite pure as they are isolated through distillation. It is possible that some manufacturers of silicone lubricants could skimp buying low purity industrial grade silicone polymers but the likelihood of tissue sensitivity being exposed and them being sued to high hell is obviously much greater.
Only thing I really have is one of those that allow one to pop popcorn in a microwave.
I’m always cooking with Iron Maiden and Korn in the background. Will I die sooner then?
“Non-heavy” metal… so perhaps stick with Cinderella and Winger for a bit more safety when working in the kitchen. (But perhaps no Ratt?)
best comment! thank you
The (other) problem with silicone mats/forms for cooking is that it always rated at 220C max, and as the heating element kicks in it constantly gets temporarily hotter than that.
So if you want to be within specs it’s only useful for a subset of ovens that are large and have a non-direct heating system.
Silicone mats for soldering are another story though, those are good for above 450C and now I’m wondering if you have to worry about the gasses mentioned with these. Although even with hot-air the heat doesn’t hit the mat that much normally, and only locally.
Plus you often use devices to suck the air away anyway.
What happened to the ozon hole?
Never trusted these in the first place, steel bakeware all the way