Do rice cookers made of plastic release chemicals?
Worth avoiding. BPA leaches from plastic, especially when heated. Use glass or stainless steel.
What's actually in it
BPA (bisphenol A) is used to harden polycarbonate plastics and line metal cans. It leaches into food and drinks, especially when heated or scratched. BPA acts like estrogen in the body at low concentrations.
Many "BPA-free" products use BPS or BPF instead. Early research suggests these alternatives may behave similarly to BPA.
What the research says
A 2026 study in anal bioanal chem looked at chemical exposure from everyday products and found: Optimized methods for adsorbable organic halides (AOX) and halogenâspecific speciation for tracking disinfection by-products from source to tap..
VĂ©lia F(1)(2), Thomas MF(2), Demelas C(1), Vassalo L(1), Lou.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Optimized methods for adsorbable organic halides (AOX) and halogenâspecific speciation for tracking disinfection by-products from source to tap. | Anal Bioanal Chem | 2026 |
What to use instead
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