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In the early morning, Mr. Zhang prepared coffee for the company as usual. His trusted companion, a metal thermos cup, accompanies him on his way out every day.
This thermos cup has been with him for several years, not only to keep him warm, but more importantly, to give him a familiar comfort whenever his fingers touch the warm cup.
Recently, however, Mr. Zhang noticed that his throat seemed to be a little wrong, and he felt a slight irritation every time he drank water. This made him very puzzled, because his living habits did not change much.
After some examination, the doctor reminded him that it may be caused by a thermos flask that has been used for a long time. Mr. Zhang was shocked, how could it be? So how can common everyday items cause health problems?
As an indispensable part of modern life, the thermos cup is loved by everyone because of its heat preservation function and convenience. But, you know what? Not all thermos cups are harmless to our health.
First of all, we must understand the main structure of the thermos flask, most of the thermos flasks are made of stainless steel or plastic. But what's the problem? The answer is: lining and coating.
Some low-quality or old thermos begs have a thin coating on the inside, which may contain BPA (bisphenol A) or other harmful chemicals.
BPA is a common industrial chemical that used to be used in food and beverage packaging, such as plastic bottles and cans. However, studies have found that BPA may seep into food or beverages and thus be ingested by the body. Long-term intake of BPA may adversely affect the brain, prostate glands, and behavior, especially in infants and young children.
In addition, over time, when the thermos flask is frequently used or hit by impact, the coating inside may begin to peel off, causing more harmful chemicals to seep into the beverage.
But BPA isn't the only threat. The sealing ring or rubber part of some thermos begs may contain other harmful substances that are more likely to seep out under the conditions of high temperatures or acidic beverages.
So, how can this risk be avoided?
Choose brand and quality: When buying a thermos flask, try to choose well-known brands and high-quality products. Although the price may be slightly higher, it is worth it for health.
Check the coating: Regularly inspect your thermos flask to see if the inner coating is broken or peeling. If so, it is recommended to replace it with a new thermos flask.
Avoid using drinks that are too acidic or alkaline: these drinks are more likely to allow harmful substances to seep out of the thermos cup.
Regular replacement: Even if your thermos flask is not visibly damaged, it is recommended to replace it every once in a while. Because of prolonged use, the tiny scratches or abrasion inside the cup may not be easily noticeable, but they may become a channel for the release of harmful substances.
Pay attention to cleaning: Make sure to clean the thermos flask regularly and thoroughly. Accumulated residues or stains may not only harbor bacteria, but may also accelerate corrosion and breakage of the coating inside the cup.
Be wary of labels: When buying, pay close attention to the label of the product. If it is clearly marked with "BPA-free" or other harmless substances, the product is relatively safer.
Looking back on Mr. Zhang's experience, his thermos cup may have been the kind of low-priced product that was often bought at roadside stalls or informal channels. Although they look similar to other premium brands, there can be problems with the manufacturing process and material selection.
The inner coating of these cups may not be strong enough, or unsafe chemicals may be used. Of course, this is not to say that all cheap thermos cups are unsafe, but consumers should be more careful when choosing.
That's why we need to be extra careful when shopping for any products that come into direct contact with food and beverages. Whether it's thermos cups, food containers, or kitchenware, we should invest in high-quality, safe products, not just buy to save money.
In fact, many modern thermos flasks have abandoned the use of inner coatings that may contain BPA or other harmful substances in favor of safer materials. But even then, they still need to be checked and replaced regularly to ensure that they are intact.
In this day and age, we are becoming more and more aware of food and beverage safety. From organic to gluten-free, people have become more picky when it comes to choosing foods. Similarly, we should take the same cautious approach to the storage and carrying of food and beverages.
The thermos cup provides us with great convenience and allows us to enjoy hot or cold drinks when we go out. But this convenience should not come at the expense of health.
As Mr. Zhang's experience tells us, it is very important to choose a good and safe thermos flask. Therefore, when we choose a thermos cup next time, in addition to considering its appearance and insulation function, we should also seriously consider its material and manufacturing quality.
What do you think about thermos cups? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!