|
| > iacl.org > Plastic
Plastic |  | | | Bisphenol in Codes 1, 3 & 7 |
Plastics have become a source of controversy. Apparently some of the chemicals used in it's production are not well bonded to the material. This means they can leak out under circumstances involving change of temperature, esp. sunlight and changes in PH. Foodstuffs stored in plastic containers of strong PH characteristics further enabled by being wet against the plastic container could therefore leach the chemicals into the food. Certainly one sees beets and spaghetti sauce stain plastic. But is iT a one-way street? Is the plastic likewise leaching into the food? The weak bonding of these various chemicals in plastics makes this possible.
Many years ago a push to incorporate plastic containers into use for foodstuff citing weight advantages, squeeze-ability and not breakable like glass took what was once a glass-only world and transformed it into what we now have. Along the way chemicals used in other industry areas offering advantages such as flame resistance where added into certain plastic codes.
There are several plastic codes numbering from 1 - 7 usually found on the bottom of the container. Some such as code 5 seem to lack any attributable leaching characteristic that can be tied to health factors while code 3 is a pharmacopeia of embedded bad chemicals.
Here is my rundown of the various plastic codes found in everyday use.
Code 3 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is th absolute worst and highly prone to leach cancerous chemicals including the estrogen mimicking substance called bisphenol which is a slick coating used to treat the interior of aluminum cans and on grocery store receipts. Bisphenol is a BPA which you may have seen the words "BPA Free" on some containers.
Code 7 Polycarbonate (PC) aka code 0 is a catch-all for all plastic not given a proper code. It is safe to assume it contains the BPA aka bisphenol, an estrogen type f substance.
Code 1 Polyethylene terephthalate, PET or PETE) You may be told it is OK, but some sources think otherwise. It contains Antimony Trioxide a cancerous flame retardant and bisphenol an estrogen mimicking substance.
Code 6 Polystyrene (PS) Contains styrene, a cancerous substance. Unlike code 1 I have yet to find a Code 4 marked container.
Code 5 Polypropylene (PP) The best whatever it may be able to leach it does not have any known health issues other than some vague words from the harshest of critics.
I am having a hard time finding anything wrong with it It is commonly found in food containers along with codes 1 and 7.
Code 2 & 4 high and Low density polyethelene (HDPE & LDPE) while not connected to anything cancerous leach nonylphenol which is also an estrogen mimicking substance also leaching out of polyester clothing and being found in measurable amounts in soil and water depending on location.
Nonylphenol, while apparently being on the lower end of the spectrum makes up for that in quantity, sources citing measurable levels in the water. In Europe the Union voted to remove it's uses in clothing (Polyester) in 2004, citing concerns that it readily washes out of clothing. Then they unanimously voted to bad import of any clothing containing the substance in 2015 and are now in the process of phasing it out altogether.
| Nonylphenol is molecularly similar and can attach itself to Estrogen/Estradiol confusing levels in men and women of reproductive years. It is known as an Endocrine disruptor which effects the glands controlling growth and metabolism and is found in codes 2 & 4 plastics. |  |
I never liked the feel of man made materials on my skin feeling that they are a little itchy and do not breathe well while other people do not seem to mind. The discussion being that the man made material sheds micro plastic fibers that irritate the skin
|
|
|
