ARE PLASTIC FOOD AND DRINK CONTAINERS MAKING YOU SICK?
Last week on the flight back home from Baltimore, I started to thumb through a magazine I bought at the airport, when I stumbled on to an interesting article. This article was related to the safety of plastics, namely plastics containing a chemical called Bisphenol A, better known as BPA. This reminded me of recent publicized research on the detrimental health effects related to plastic containers used to store food and drink. I decided to actually look through some research on this topic and what I found was extremely alarming; enough for me to initiate a wholesale change in my lifestyle.
Generally, plastic containers fall into different types, often categorized by different recycling symbols. Below are the most common recycling symbols and the type of plastics they represent.
Number 1 represents polyethylene terephthalate, which is better known by its abbreviation PETE. According to www.thedailygreen.com, it is mainly used for making single use bottles and is light and easy to dispose. The danger of plastic leaching into its contents is low.
Number 2 represents high density polyethylene (HDPE), which is usually found in milk jugs, cleaning solution bottles, and trash bags, to name a few. The danger of the HDPE leaching into its contents is low.
Number 3 represents polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is found in clear food packaging and cooking oil bottles, among others. Due to chlorine content, this plastic releases dioxins and any contact with hot food should be avoided, as heat tends to expedite the release of these dioxins.
Number 4 represents low density polyethylene (LDPE), which is commonly found in squeeze bottles, shopping and dry cleaning bags, among others. The danger of leaching is also low in LDPE.
Number 5 represents polypropylene (PP). Polypropylene has a high melting point and is used in container requiring a certain amount of heat resistance, such as auto batteries covers. Leaching is also low for this particular type of plastic.
Number 6 represents polystyrene (PS). This is what is commonly known as Styrofoam, and is used in many products including plates and cups. There is a danger of toxins leaching from PP into its contents.
Number 7 represents a combination plastic substance. This substance basically does not fit into any other category. Common uses are in large water bottles, used in office drinking water (think Culligan man), and gas containers (you probably only see this when you're out of gas in the middle of nowhere). This plastic has been proven to leach BPA into its contents. The problem is, many baby bottles are made of this compound. So, if there are any mommies reading this, please swap out the hard baby bottle with the number 7 Recycle symbol with ones that contain safe Recycle numbers.
So, now that you have a rundown on the different types of plastics, which ones are to be avoided? www.thedailygreen.com recommends avoiding plastics with recycling numbers 3, 6 and 7. Number 3 plastics are suspected of leaching toxins such as, phthalates into food and drinks. Number 6 (Styrofoam) plastics can leach toxins such as, styrene into the food and drinks. Drinking hot coffee from a Styrofoam cup? Not a good idea. Number 7 plastics contain BPA, and if you don’t want hormonal imbalances, avoid these plastics.
Where do you find these symbols? Turn over the plastic container and look at the bottom. The vast majority of the time, you will see the plastic’s Recycle symbol and its number.
Shown below is a picture of the Recycle number from the bottom of my plastic water bottle, I took last night.
I also noticed that the Recycle symbol on my salad container was a number 7, which means I won’t be buying the salad in that solid plastic container anymore, even if it is triple washed. I don’t fancy BPA anywhere near my body!
Just to re-emphasize the danger of BPA, according to Fast Company magazine, there were over 100 independent studies conducted on BPA and 90% found that BPA had detrimental side effects, at levels similar to human exposure. BPA mimics estrogen and has been linked to infertility and cancer.
Oh by the way, that Starbucks plastic cup for their iced drinks, Recycle number 5...thank god!! I would have died if it were a 7!
Now that the doom and gloom part of the blog is over :), check out this video. Pretty darn innovative!!
Finally, my dear friend Bianca is supporting research for a cure to Cystic Fibrosis by participating in a walk. Support her here.
Generally, plastic containers fall into different types, often categorized by different recycling symbols. Below are the most common recycling symbols and the type of plastics they represent.
Number 1 represents polyethylene terephthalate, which is better known by its abbreviation PETE. According to www.thedailygreen.com, it is mainly used for making single use bottles and is light and easy to dispose. The danger of plastic leaching into its contents is low.
Number 2 represents high density polyethylene (HDPE), which is usually found in milk jugs, cleaning solution bottles, and trash bags, to name a few. The danger of the HDPE leaching into its contents is low.
Number 3 represents polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is found in clear food packaging and cooking oil bottles, among others. Due to chlorine content, this plastic releases dioxins and any contact with hot food should be avoided, as heat tends to expedite the release of these dioxins.
Number 4 represents low density polyethylene (LDPE), which is commonly found in squeeze bottles, shopping and dry cleaning bags, among others. The danger of leaching is also low in LDPE.
Number 5 represents polypropylene (PP). Polypropylene has a high melting point and is used in container requiring a certain amount of heat resistance, such as auto batteries covers. Leaching is also low for this particular type of plastic.
Number 6 represents polystyrene (PS). This is what is commonly known as Styrofoam, and is used in many products including plates and cups. There is a danger of toxins leaching from PP into its contents.
Number 7 represents a combination plastic substance. This substance basically does not fit into any other category. Common uses are in large water bottles, used in office drinking water (think Culligan man), and gas containers (you probably only see this when you're out of gas in the middle of nowhere). This plastic has been proven to leach BPA into its contents. The problem is, many baby bottles are made of this compound. So, if there are any mommies reading this, please swap out the hard baby bottle with the number 7 Recycle symbol with ones that contain safe Recycle numbers.So, now that you have a rundown on the different types of plastics, which ones are to be avoided? www.thedailygreen.com recommends avoiding plastics with recycling numbers 3, 6 and 7. Number 3 plastics are suspected of leaching toxins such as, phthalates into food and drinks. Number 6 (Styrofoam) plastics can leach toxins such as, styrene into the food and drinks. Drinking hot coffee from a Styrofoam cup? Not a good idea. Number 7 plastics contain BPA, and if you don’t want hormonal imbalances, avoid these plastics.
Where do you find these symbols? Turn over the plastic container and look at the bottom. The vast majority of the time, you will see the plastic’s Recycle symbol and its number.
Shown below is a picture of the Recycle number from the bottom of my plastic water bottle, I took last night.
I also noticed that the Recycle symbol on my salad container was a number 7, which means I won’t be buying the salad in that solid plastic container anymore, even if it is triple washed. I don’t fancy BPA anywhere near my body!Just to re-emphasize the danger of BPA, according to Fast Company magazine, there were over 100 independent studies conducted on BPA and 90% found that BPA had detrimental side effects, at levels similar to human exposure. BPA mimics estrogen and has been linked to infertility and cancer.
Oh by the way, that Starbucks plastic cup for their iced drinks, Recycle number 5...thank god!! I would have died if it were a 7!
Now that the doom and gloom part of the blog is over :), check out this video. Pretty darn innovative!!
Finally, my dear friend Bianca is supporting research for a cure to Cystic Fibrosis by participating in a walk. Support her here.
