The Truth About Plastics

By Hemmert and Tammy Pelstring

Plastics have become an integral part of our everyday lives. They're unbreakable, light weight, colorful, inexpensive, and easy to mold. But recent studies have shown that some plastics may cause adverse health effects, especially to children whose small bodies are still developing. While much of the evidence concerning plastics and food is still inconclusive, we'd like to provide you with some guidelines for using plastics safely.

CHOOSE FOOD GRADE PLASTICS. Choose food and drink containers that have been FDA-approved for food use. Plastic items not intended for contact with food might contain harmful materials. (Our plastics have all been FDA-approved for food use.)

CLEAN CONTAINERS THOROUGHLY. Thorough cleaning between uses prevents bacteria from growing.

MICROWAVE RESPONSIBLY. Never heat food in plastic containers not intended for food use. If you microwave in plastics, make sure the containers are FDA-approved for microwave use. Choose polyethylene or polypropylene, which do not contain plasticizers. Do not microwave in polystyrene (Styrofoam), single-use plastic containers, or plastic wrap.

STORE FOOD SAFELY. Let food cool completely and then immediately store it in the refrigerator. Pack hot foods and drinks in vacuum lunch jars and flasks. (See www.laptoplunches.com/products.html for examples.)

PURCHASE THE SAFEST PLASTICS AVAILABLE. Plastics can be identified by their recycle codes 1-7. The following is a summary of what we know about plastic safety and recyclability:

BEST CHOICES:

#5 - Polypropylene (PP) has no known adverse health effects. (All plastic Laptop Lunch containers are made of high quality PP.)

#2 - High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) has no known adverse health effects.

#4 - Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) has no known adverse health effects.

WORST CHOICES:

#3 - Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) often contains plasticizers which are added for flexibility. PVC contains phthalates and other suspected endocrine disrupters. PVC is used in many products including plastic wrap, bottles, and children's toys. Some PVC contains lead. PVC is difficult to recycle because of its high chlorine content and high levels of toxic additives. Separation and collection costs are high, material quality is greatly reduced after recycling, and the demand for virgin PVC remains high compared to the recycled material.

#6 - Polystyrene (Styrofoam) contains suspected carcinogens and endocrine disrupting chemicals. Consuming fatty foods or alcoholic drinks from these containers is not recommended. Polystyrene is generally not recyclable.

#7 - Polycarbonate (PC) contains Bisphenol-A, a known hormone disruptor. It can damage reproductive organs and have adverse effects on breast tissue and prostate development. PC, or lexan, is used in some Nalgene brand water bottles (the hard colorful ones), some baby bottles, and in the lining of some aluminum cans. It is also found in dental fillings and sealants, including some used to prevent tooth decay in children.

#1 - Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET) is used mostly in single-use drink bottles--like those containing water, soda, and juice. These bottles are not intended for re-use and should not be stored for long periods of time or exposed to heat. While these bottles are highly recyclable, in reality few actually make it to the recycling center. According to the Container Recycling Institute, in fact, 50 billion single-use plastic bottles are used annually, but only 10 billion are recycled. The other 40 billion end up in landfills, incinerators or as roadside litter. Please make the switch to a reusable bottle.

Links to Additional Information:

www.thegreenguide.com/doc/108/plastic

http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/ask/sloan2

We hope that this information will help you make educated purchasing decisions. Please keep in mind that research on these materials is ongoing. We will make every effort to update this article at as we learn more.