Toughened glass
Product safety issues related to toughened glass.
Toughened glass: the basics
While toughened glass is truly tough and long lasting, it sometimes does shatter – frequently with a dangerous and frightening bang.
Fortunately injuries are rare. The glass usually breaks into small square fragments, which are much less likely to cut than the jagged pieces from other kinds of glass. The fragments of glass are similar to those from a shattered car windscreen.
However, any shattered glass can still cut you, so be careful when handling and remember that toughened glass is not unbreakable.
Using toughened glass safely
Examine items of toughened glassware occasionally, and get rid of any that are chipped or scratched.
Toughened glass may be weakened by thermal shock, so avoid extremes of temperature like putting very hot food on a glass plate that has been in the fridge.
Toughening is done by a process which compresses a thin surface layer of the glass. While this makes the glass item much more resistant to pressure or impact, a small surface chip or scratch weakens this surface layer. The chip or scratch may be small, but this is what can cause the glass item to shatter.
Got a problem with toughened glass?
If you have had a problem with toughened glassware, report it to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
