Over the last few decades plastics have invaded our homes. From my observation few people seem to be concerned about their rather overwhelming presence, which, I think, is due to the fact that public awareness of how potentially harmful plastics can be is very little. Most of us don't really know what plastics are made of and whether they are safe.
Health Concerns with Food Use of Plastics
The toxicity of plastics is not fully understood and adequately tested. A plethora of petroleum-based chemicals are used in the manufacturing of plastics. Certain chemical additives, used in order to change the qualities of plastics such as their softness or resistance to UV light, have been proven to be harmful. They include bisphenol-A and phthalates which are potent hormone disruptors that are increasingly linked to health effects like brain and behavior changes, cancer, and reproductive system damages.
Some chemicals can leach into food and drinks and possibly impact human health. Leaching increases when plastic comes in contact with oily or fatty foods, during heating and from old or scratched plastic. Types of plastics shown to leach toxic chemicals are polycarbonate, PVC and styrene. This does not imply that other plastics are entirely safe. These plastics have just been studied more (source: Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy available at www.iatp.org).
Although most of the chemicals used in food containers are considered "safe," that's generally not because they've been proved safe, but rather they haven't been proven to be unsafe. (source: Environmental Working Group available HERE).
Environmental Concerns Associated with Manufacture and Use of Plastics
Most plastics are made from petroleum, a non-renewable and mostly imported resource. Plastic packaging also creates unnecessary bulky waste which takes up a large volume of landfill space.
Plastic manufacturing and incineration creates air and water pollution and exposes workers to toxic chemicals.
Plastic manufacturing and incineration creates air and water pollution and exposes workers to toxic chemicals.
Commonly Used Types of Plastics As Food Containers
1 - PETE
Polyethylene terephthalate ethylene, used for soft drink, juice and water containers
2 - HDPE
High density polyethylene, used in opaque plastic milk and water jugs and some plastic bags.
3 - PVC or V
Polyvinyl chloride, used for cling wrap, some plastic squeeze bottles and cooking oil.
A reson for concern! DEHA(di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate) is one of several plasticizers (softeners) to which people have daily exposure through food, water, air and consumer products. PVC cling wrap contains DEHA, which can leach into oily foods on contact and when heated. DEHA exposure can adversly affect liver, kidney, spleen, bone formation and body weight. It is also a possible human carcinogen.
4 - LDPE
Polyethylene terephthalate ethylene, used for soft drink, juice and water containers
2 - HDPE
High density polyethylene, used in opaque plastic milk and water jugs and some plastic bags.
3 - PVC or V
Polyvinyl chloride, used for cling wrap, some plastic squeeze bottles and cooking oil.
A reson for concern! DEHA(di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate) is one of several plasticizers (softeners) to which people have daily exposure through food, water, air and consumer products. PVC cling wrap contains DEHA, which can leach into oily foods on contact and when heated. DEHA exposure can adversly affect liver, kidney, spleen, bone formation and body weight. It is also a possible human carcinogen.
4 - LDPE
Low density polyethylene, used in grocery store bags, most plastic wraps and some bottles.
5 - PP
5 - PP
Polypropylene, used in most Rubbermaid, deli soup, syrup and yogurt containers, straws and other clouded plastic containers, including baby bottles.
6 - PS
Polystyrene, used in Styrofoam food trays, yogurt containers, disposable cups and bowls, carry-out containers and opaque plastic cutlery.
A reason for concern! STYRENE can leach from polystyrene plastic. Styrene is toxic to the brain and nervous system, among workers with longer-term exposures,15,16 but also has been found to adversely affect red blood cells, liver, kidneys and stomach in animal studies.17 Aside from exposure from food containers, children can be exposed to styrene from secondhand cigarette smoke, off-gassing of building materials, auto exhaust fumes and drinking water.
7 - Other
6 - PS
Polystyrene, used in Styrofoam food trays, yogurt containers, disposable cups and bowls, carry-out containers and opaque plastic cutlery.
A reason for concern! STYRENE can leach from polystyrene plastic. Styrene is toxic to the brain and nervous system, among workers with longer-term exposures,15,16 but also has been found to adversely affect red blood cells, liver, kidneys and stomach in animal studies.17 Aside from exposure from food containers, children can be exposed to styrene from secondhand cigarette smoke, off-gassing of building materials, auto exhaust fumes and drinking water.
7 - Other
Usually polycarbonate, used in most plastic baby bottles, 5-gallon water bottles, "sport" water bottles, metal food can liners, clear plastic "sippy" cups and some clear plastic cutlery. New bio-based plastics may also be labeled #7.
A reason for concern! Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that mimics the action of the human hormone estrogen and can leach from polycarbonate plastic.A Centers for Disease Control study detected BPA in the urine of 95 percent of adults sampled. Health Effects of Exposure to BPA can be serious. Hormonal imbalance caused by BPA can stimulate certain cancers. BPA can cause chromosomal errors at low levels of exposure in mice, which can lead to spontaneous miscarriages and birth defects. One study found that women with recurrent miscarriages had threefold higher levels of BPA in their blood than women without miscarriage history. Of 115 published animal studies, 81 percent found significant effects from even low-level exposure to BPA. While none of the 11 industry-funded studies found significant effects, over 90 percent of government-funded studies did so. (Source Smart Plastics Guide by The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy available at www.iatp.org).
BPA can also cause early onset of puberty, and stimulation of mammary gland development in females, changes in gender-specific behavior, decreased sperm production, altered immune function, behavioral effects including hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, impaired learning and other changes in behavior.
A reason for concern! Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that mimics the action of the human hormone estrogen and can leach from polycarbonate plastic.A Centers for Disease Control study detected BPA in the urine of 95 percent of adults sampled. Health Effects of Exposure to BPA can be serious. Hormonal imbalance caused by BPA can stimulate certain cancers. BPA can cause chromosomal errors at low levels of exposure in mice, which can lead to spontaneous miscarriages and birth defects. One study found that women with recurrent miscarriages had threefold higher levels of BPA in their blood than women without miscarriage history. Of 115 published animal studies, 81 percent found significant effects from even low-level exposure to BPA. While none of the 11 industry-funded studies found significant effects, over 90 percent of government-funded studies did so. (Source Smart Plastics Guide by The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy available at www.iatp.org).
BPA can also cause early onset of puberty, and stimulation of mammary gland development in females, changes in gender-specific behavior, decreased sperm production, altered immune function, behavioral effects including hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, impaired learning and other changes in behavior.
Children and Plastics
I cannot stress enough that children are more vulnerable to toxic exposure due to their immature immune systems, rapid development and different eating patterns. Long term exposures to certain chemicals found in plastics or a few large exposures at a critical time in development could adversely impact children’s health.
Choose and Use Safer Plactics Where It Matters Most
Because plastics are ubiquitous it's not possible to eliminate them altogether from our daily life. It's advisable then to focus on minimizing exposure where it matters most, namely on plastics which come into contact with food. In my next post I will explain in more detail how to use plastics more safely.
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