Plastics - Various types and its effect on Health

For your Health reasons - Say 'No' to Plastics

Everywhere, wherever you see, you will find plastic materials. Be it house kitchen grocery, food package, room, office, hotels, everywhere you will find most of the stuffs stored in plastic material. Have been hearing a lot about hazardous effect of usage of Plastics on our health as well as environment in which we are living.

I have an unquenchable thirst for information, which leads me to research, read, ask and write about the Facts.

Below are the facts about plastic material that usually normal people are not aware off, which is actually very important for one to know to prevent any health issues in future.

There's a respective recycling code, which you can find below the bottles.

The so called safest plastics for repeated use in storing food are made from:

1. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET/PETE, or plastic #1),
2. High-density polyethylene (HDPE, or plastic #2), 
3. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE, or plastic #4),
4. Polypropylene (PP, or plastic #5),
5. Polycarbonate (plastic #7), which has been shown to leach the harmful hormone-disrupting chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) into food items after repeated uses.
   

Containers made out of polyethylene terephthalate (PET / PETE, or plastic #1)—such as most soda bottles—are OK to use once, but can leach carcinogenic, hormone-disrupting phthalates when used over and over again. 

So, always throw the mineral water bottles, juice, soft drink, mouthwash, ketchup, pickles bottles, cosmetics, toiletries that you get outside. Never reuse the plastic containers below which it's mentioned '1' inside recycling label' ( as shown in the picture below).

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene high-density (PEHD) or plastic #2 is made from petroleum, is considered a low hazard plastic. HDPE is used in the production of plastic bottles like milk containers, as well as Tupperware, shampoo bottles, bleach bottles and motor oil bottles, cereal box liners, dish and household cleaners, plastic shopping bags, trays, tanks, cutting boards, bins, Toys, corrosion-resistant piping, geomembranes, plastic lumber. 

These  would leach detectable amounts of chemicals having estrogenic activity which may alter the structure of human cells once such items are exposed to boiling water, sunlight (UV), and microwaving or dishwashing.

Many deli items come wrapped in plastic, packaging, credit cards, bottles and imitation leather, bathing rings and toys, table cloths, in construction material window frames, cables, pipes, window blinds, wallpaper and flooring made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC, or plastic #3), many a times Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) is used widely in consumer products, which can leach chemicals/ cancer-causing dioxins in water. 

Swapping foods out of such wraps once the groceries are at home is advisable.

Plastic #4: Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is considered a low hazard plastic.

These plastics are found in bags for dry cleaning, newspapers, bread, Shrink wraps, frozen foods, fresh produce, and household garbage, also used in shrink wrap, coatings for paper milk cartons , hot and cold beverage cups and to make container lids, toys, and squeezable bottles (like honey and mustard).

Plastic #5: Polypropylene - PP is considered a safe plastic. It is used to make containers for yogurt, margarine, ketchup, syrup, takeout meals, deli foods, medicine bottles, bottle caps and closures.

Containers made of polystyrene (PS, or plastic #6, also known as Styrofoam) can also be dangerous, as its base component, styrene, shows leaching based on temperature factor and has been associated with skin, eye and respiratory irritation, depression, fatigue, compromised kidney function, and central nervous system damage. Take-out restaurant orders and food service items often come in polystyrene containers, which also should be emptied into safer containers once you get them home. Use paper cups in place of Styrofoam.

Some of tupperware products are made from polycarbonate, #7, which has been shown to leak the harmful, hormone-disrupting chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) into food items after repeated use. The following Tupperware products are made from polycarbonate (#7): the Rock ‘N Serve microwave line, the Ice Prisms line, the Meals-in-Minutes Microsteamer, the “Elegant” Serving Line, the TupperCare baby bottle, the Pizza Keep’ N Heat container, and the Table Collection (the last three are no longer made but might still be found in your kitchen).  

These plastics are used to make three/ five-gallon reusable water bottles, including some citrus juice and ketchup bottles and in oven-baking bags, barrier layers, and custom packaging. Containers mentioning '7' and BPA free is fine to use (shown in picture below).

1.      Avoid plastic whenever possible when it comes to food and beverage.  Hard plastics can contain BPA, which is a developmental, neural, and reproductive toxin. Scientists have linked very low doses of BPA exposure to cancers, impaired immune function, early onset of puberty, obesity, diabetes and hyperactivity.  It can be transferred from plastic into food and drink.  A recent study, found that even BPA-free plastics contain synthetic chemicals which can migrate into food.
2.      If you have to use plastic in the kitchen:

• Choose BPA-Free, PVC-free plastic #2, #4, #5.
• Do not heat in the microwave (“microwave-safe” only means that the plastic won’t actually melt – the extreme heat of the oven will increase transference of chemicals).
• Do not store fatty, greasy or acidic foods in plastic.
• Do not use scratched, badly worn or cloudy plastics for your food and beverages.
• Hand-wash plastics to avoid wear and tear.

        

3.  When it comes to food storage, safer materials include: glass, 304 grade stainless steel, food grade silicone – all of which do not leach chemicals into your food.  

4.  Avoid hard plastic melamine dishes. They are made by combining the chemical melamine with formaldehyde (which is considered a known human carcinogen) Studies have shown that formaldehyde can leach from dishware into food. 

5.  When it comes to dishware, glass is a great choice, followed by ceramic dishware with lead-free glaze.  If you are concerned about breakage - food grade silicone (Kinderville brand), high quality 304-grade stainless steel and bamboo or wood containing food-safe finishes are all safe options.

6.  Avoid Teflon and any other chemical non-stick coatings. Teflon is a coating manufactured using perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which is considered “a likely human carcinogen.” When heated, cookware coated with Teflon and other synthetic non-stick surfaces emits fumes that can kill birds and potentially sicken people. Overheating of non-stick pans and any scratching or chipping of the materials can cause these chemicals to be released.

7.   Use caution with aluminium cookware.  Aluminium is a soft, highly reactive metal and can migrate in measurable amounts into food when used for cooking. Aluminium has been linked to brain disorders as well as behavioural abnormalities and is considered a toxic substance by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. Many companies are switching from aluminium to Anodized aluminium. In this treatment the aluminium is dipped into a chemical bath to create a more durable layer, so that the aluminium can’t as easily leach into food. However, the anodization can break down over time - so still not the safest choice for cookware.

8.   Avoid plastic utensils and accessories when cooking as these can melt or flake with extreme heat or wear down over time potentially causing chemicals to migrate into food. Instead choose stable materials such as: wood, bamboo, silicone or stainless steel.

9.  The safest materials for cookware and bakeware include: glass, high quality 304 grade stainless steel, cast iron and Xtrema ceramic cookware.

10. When using stainless steel cookware, know that deeply scratched and pitted pans can cause metals (nickel and chromium) to migrate into food in trace amounts. These are not toxic elements, so there is not really cause for concern unless you have a specific allergy or sensitivity.  But to play it safe, avoid frequent use of abrasive materials with stainless steel cookware.

11. Use non-toxic cleaning products - avoid bleach, ammonia and synthetic fragrances and dyes. Filter tap water for drinking and cooking.  Find a high-quality filter than can remove heavy metals, chlorine, VOC's and other contaminants.

12. Use Canvas bags and biodegradable materials.