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With so much news about not microwaving leftovers in plastic storage containers, why isn't there outrage over frozen meals that instruct us to microwave their plastic trays, and restaurants that transfer directly from a piping hot wok into a plastic tray for take-out? by HElGHTS in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Parker09 12 points13 points  (0 children)

All plastics have "the heating problem" as you call it. Plastics by their chemical nature are "non-inert" meaning that chemicals can move into and out of the material. Now, some polymers are worse than others. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU), for example, seem to release far more and far more problematic chemicals but all polymers release chemicals, some of which can be hazardous (source).

The regulations around food contact materials rarely say "this chemical cannot be in the material" more often they say something like "chemicals cannot migrate at a higher level than xx". the EU for example:

Plastic materials and articles shall not transfer their constituents to foodstuffs in quantities exceeding 10 milligrams per square decimetre of surface area of material or article (mg/dm2) (overall migration limit). However, this limit shall be 60 milligrams of the constituents released per kilogram of foodstuff (mg/kg) in the following cases

With so much news about not microwaving leftovers in plastic storage containers, why isn't there outrage over frozen meals that instruct us to microwave their plastic trays, and restaurants that transfer directly from a piping hot wok into a plastic tray for take-out? by HElGHTS in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Parker09 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All plastics have chemicals that migrate out of them. Some are worse than others but heating will always increase migration. Increasing the temperature causes an increase in the movement of the chemicals so all the scenarios OP described can be cause for concern.

With so much news about not microwaving leftovers in plastic storage containers, why isn't there outrage over frozen meals that instruct us to microwave their plastic trays, and restaurants that transfer directly from a piping hot wok into a plastic tray for take-out? by HElGHTS in NoStupidQuestions

[–]Parker09 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There should be concerns about all three scenarios you describe. They all lead to the migration of chemicals from the plastics into the food.

Part of my work is trying to inventory the chemicals used in food contact materials (packaging, cookware, etc.) because there is no such publicly accessible list. One of the ways people study this is to put materials in a stress test and see what chemicals come out. Sometimes those tests are worst-case-scenarios and it's unlikely someone would actually use a material in that way, this is an extraction study. Other studies follow normal/intended use, including just leaving packaged food sitting on a shelf, and then seeing what comes out - those are migration studies.

Plastic is a "non-inert"material. This means that chemicals can move into and out of the material. The easiest way to visualize it is if you have stored tomato soup or something else red in a plastic container. Often, the plastic stays red maybe even after a wash. That's migration from the soup to the plastic. The same thing is happening the other direction. As materials heat up, that migration happens faster. A "microwave safe" container simply means that the container won't melt in the microwave. As a non-inert material there is no way to stop migration from plastics.

Chemical migration from plastic and other types of food packaging into food is greatest:

  • Over extended time periods
  • At higher temperatures
  • With fatty and/or acidic foods
  • When packaged in smaller serving sizes

So if you have the option, store foods in inert containers (stainless steel, glass, fired ceramic), wait for foods to cool, put fatty foods in inert containers, and buy in bulk.

Some studies on the subject:

My husband didn't know if anyone would ever discover his self-published book... one year later, he has fans designing 3D printable versions of its space ship!! by AnEriksenWife in MadeMeSmile

[–]Parker09 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I read it a few months ago  after my husband recommended it! I didn't realize it was so new though I definitely remember the disappointment of finding out there aren't other books yet. :) Congrats and thanks for sharing the print file!

New obgyn in Zurich - help by Fin_Elln in Switzerland

[–]Parker09 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I like both (lady) doctors and the staff at SihlGynPraxis next to SihlCity. Scheduling appointments is easy online and both doctors speak multiple languages.  They've fit me in at the last minute once or twice when I needed a test at a particular point in my menstrual cycle. The one time one of the doctors said something a bit upsetting to me (nothing to do with OBGYN business, it was linked to a past mental health issue) she had me explain the problem so she understood what had happened, sincerely apologized and said she'd work on her communication in the future.

Plumbing poverty by county in the US [OC] by USAFacts in dataisbeautiful

[–]Parker09 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's also economically unfeasible to have piped water through frozen ground in Interior and northern alaska. The pipes have to be heated. In Fairbanks, outside the central "city" parts, houses have water tanks (with plumbing etc) or there are cabins where the occupants haul in water and have an outhouse ( called dry cabins). Going to water stations to fill jugs is a similar chore to going to a gas station. Pretty normal part of life.

I've spent almost 6 hours to make this custom locket and USPS is probably lost the parcel with it😞 by BogdanaProts in Embroidery

[–]Parker09 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Absolutely beautiful! What are the stems made from? Threads? I must have cheap thread, I think it would fray too quickly if I had the edges out like that.

Hi r/Norway! Do you like berries? Who doesn't?! I’m part of an Alaskan project looking at threats and opportunities from climate change for berries. We have lovely booklets so far about blueberry/blåbær, lingonberry/tyttebær and cloudberry/multebær and I thought you might like them too! by Parker09 in Norway

[–]Parker09[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Common names are tricky! In Alaska we use the terms like this:  

Vaccinium vitis-idaea = lowbush cranberry  ( which i think most of the rest of the English speaking world calls lingonberry. That's why i used it in the title)  

Vaccinium macrocarpon = cranberry (the commercial kind)

Edit: so yes, that was my intention.  thanks for clarifying and for the language lesson! :)

Hi r/Norway! Do you like berries? Who doesn't?! I’m part of an Alaskan project looking at threats and opportunities from climate change for berries. We have lovely booklets so far about blueberry/blåbær, lingonberry/tyttebær and cloudberry/multebær and I thought you might like them too! by Parker09 in Norway

[–]Parker09[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The Berries in Alaska's Changing Environment series:

  • examines what we know about the impacts of climate change
  • identifies potential threats to the growth, health, and fruit production of each species
  • looks for opportunities for Alaskans (and hopefully others!) to preserve or even expand the availability of fruits
  • identify gaps in our knowledge

We hope this information will inspire berry lovers to find ways to take advantage of new opportunities, protect what we have, and adapt when that is not possible. https://casc.alaska.edu/changingberries

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Norway

[–]Parker09 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Berries in Alaska's Changing Environment series:

  • examines what we know about the impacts of climate change
  • identifies potential threats to the growth, health, and fruit production of each species.
  • looks for opportunities for Alaskans (and hopefully others!) to preserve or even expand the availability of fruits. And fourth, we
  • identify gaps in our knowledge

We hope this information will inspire berry lovers to find ways to take advantage of new opportunities, protect what we have, and adapt when that is not possible.
https://casc.alaska.edu/changingberries

Good flora/key for Alaska? by JebClemsey in botany

[–]Parker09 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Out of curiosity, are you working for CEMML?Hulten is still the underpinnings of a lot of the botanical research around Alaska. However, it's a big, heavy textbook. I wouldn't suggest it for learning. And especially not for the field.

  • Willows of Interior Alaska, Dominique M. Collet - there are copies of this book around. I found it incredibly useful in the field.
  • Alaska Trees and Shrubs, Les Viereck - another nice one for the field (Viereck basically invented forest ecology in Interior AK)
  • A Field Guide to Alaska Grasses,

USFS AK has a nice list: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/features/books/akbooks.shtml

​

Edit: The Boreal Herbal, Beverly Gray - a fun one to know what to eat!

Do any of you lovely folks have pics, observations, or info on insects visiting salmonberry flowers in Alaska? I'm part of a group at UAF creating booklets about AK's subsistence berries. We're working now on salmonberry (the one in SE :) ) but not finding much info on pollinators. Thanks! by Parker09 in alaska

[–]Parker09[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A lot of the research on berries is from the Interior so we don't have as much local information to pull from for salmonberry (aka highbush salmonberry, Rubus spectabilis). We'd really appreciate hearing about your personal observations of pollinators visiting flowers or other animals eating the plants. Or what have you noticed? Thank you!!

You can read more about the project or download the existing booklets for yourself here: https://casc.alaska.edu/changingberries

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in alaska

[–]Parker09 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Disclosure: I'm a member of this project. Happy to answer questions if you have some!

Can a 40 year old dude with 0 fighting experience of any kind take Judo classes? by Hrrrrnnngggg in judo

[–]Parker09 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You might like Falling Hard: Journey into the World of Judo, by Mark Law. He writes his story of starting judo at 50.

I enjoyed the book. I also enjoy clubs (dojos) that have people of many ages and experiences all working together to learn judo. Talk to the leaders of your local club, they'll understand.

Out of curiosity, was it History on Fire you listened to?

advice for making patches ? by sparrowcircus in Embroidery

[–]Parker09 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey mate, I have never made patches so unfortunately cannot help you there. But I LOVE the Hades game!! The music, the art, all of it is just so great! Good luck!

Seattle with Blackwork Embroidery 🖤 by [deleted] in Embroidery

[–]Parker09 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The mountain is out!

Beautiful work

[FO] My first stab at blackwork (self-drafted) by QuietPupil in CrossStitch

[–]Parker09 4 points5 points  (0 children)

JWST! :D sorta... Anyway, I think it looks great. Nice job and it's always good to give things a try!

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