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Dangers of plastics
Manufacturing plastic is resource-intensive and yields
various nasty emissions that contribute to global warming and degradation of water quality. It's made from non-renewable resources,
and for all intents and purposes, it never biodegrades Yes, we'll run out of oil eventually, but we'll always have our plastic
garbage. Add to this the growing suspicion that plastic use may lead to serious health problems. Since the mid 1950s, plastics
have played an omnipresent part of our daily lives. They are everywhere and globally we use more than 260 million tons of
plastic each year. Most of the marine debris in the world is comprised of plastic materials (between 60 to 80% of total marine
debris). Field studies have shown that mega- and macro-plastics have concentrated in the highest densities in the Northern
Hemisphere, adjacent to urban areas, in enclosed seas and at water convergences. The longevity of some plastics is estimated
to be hundreds to thousands of years! The environmental impacts resulting from the accumulation of plastic waste are
huge and increasing. Plastic debris affects wildlife, human health, and the environment. The millions of tons of plastic bottles,
bags, and garbage in the world's oceans are breaking down and leaching toxins posing a threat to marine life and human. Plastic
materials in landfills sink in harmful chemicals into groundwater. Chemicals added to plastics are dangerously absorbed by
humans like altering hormones. Research on plastics includes a large and robust literature reporting adverse health effects
in laboratory animals and wildlife at even low doses. Plastic debris is ingested by hundreds of species choking and starving
them. Floating plastic debris can spread invasive species. The current mass packaging and other short-lived applications
of plastic is simply not sustainable and acceptable. There are solutions, including material reduction, design for end-of-life
recyclability, increased recycling capacity, development of bio-based feedstocks, strategies to reduce littering, and the
change of consumer behavior. Consumers are a major actor and can minimize or eliminate the use of short-lived applications
of plastic (e.g., water bottle, plastic bags). There is some urgency, as the quantity of plastics produced in the first 10
years of this century is likely to approach the quantity produced in the entire last century! Plastic provides a good
amount of affordable convenience. Only recently have we discovered that the hidden cost may be our health. Plastics, which
are used in much of our food storage and cooking, have the potential to negatively affect health in certain applications.
Some petroleum-based plastics leach harmful chemical into foods and drinks, especially when plastic comes in contact with
oily or fatty foods, during heating and microwaving, as a result of harsh cleaners, and when exposed to excessive moisture
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he use of plastics numbered 1, 3, 6 and 7 (polycarbonate), have been shown to leach dangerous chemicals.So if you
have to use plastic, it is safest to stick to numbers 2, 4, 5 and 7 (other than polycarbonate).If an item does not have a
plastic code on it, or if the type of plastic is unclear from the code (e.g., with #7, it likely will not say it is polycarbonate),
your best bet is to contact the manufacturer and ask them directly what type of plastic was used to make the product.
Select safe plastics that use polyethylene (#1, #2, and #4) and polypropylene (#5), which require the use of less toxic
additives. They also are non-chlorinated.
Avoid choosing products that use polyvinyl chloride (#3), polystyrene
(#6), and polycarbonate (#7) which often are found in baby bottles or sippy cups. Also avoid using single-use and disposable
plastics like bags and bottles, straws, cups, plates, silverware and razors.Reduce waste: buy in bulk, buy vegetables and
legumes without prepackaging, and look for products and packaging made from renewable resources. Choose products that have
the least amount of disposable parts like toothbrushes with replaceable brushes. Consuming less will decrease the waste of
unnecessary plastics.
What’s in plastic?
Polyethylene terephthalate
(PET or PETE) – Used in soft drink, juice, water, beer, mouthwash, peanut butter, salad dressing, detergent and cleaner
containers. Leaches antimony trioxide and di(2ethylhexyl) pthalate (DEHP). Workers exposed to antimony trioxide for long periods
of time have exhibited respiratory and skin irritation; among female workers, increased incidence of menstrual problems and
miscarriage; their children exhibited slower development in the first twelve months of life. The longer a liquid is left in
such a container the greater the concentration of antimony released into the liquid. DEHP is an endocrine disruptor that mimics
the female hormone estrogen. It has been strongly linked to asthma and allergies in children. It may cause certain types of
cancer, and it has been linked to negative effects on the liver, kidney, spleen, bone formation and body weight. In Europe,
DEHP has been banned since 1999 from use in plastic toys for children under the age of three.
Polyvinyl chloride
(V or Vinyl or PVC) – Used in toys, clear food and non-food packaging (e.g., cling wrap), some squeeze bottles, shampoo
bottles, cooking oil and peanut butter jars, detergent and window cleaner bottles, shower curtains, medical tubing, and numerous
construction products (e.g., pipes, siding). PVC has been described as one of the most hazardous consumer products ever created.
Leaches di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) or butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), depending on which is used as the plasticizer
or softener (usually DEHP). DEHP and BBzP are endocrine disruptors mimicking the female hormone estrogen; have been strongly
linked to asthma and allergic symptoms in children; may cause certain types of cancer; linked to negative effects on the liver,
kidney, spleen, bone formation and body weight. In Europe, DEHP and BBzP and other dangerous phthalates have been banned from
use in plastic toys for children under three since 1999. Not so elsewhere, including Canada and the United States.
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Polystyrene (PS) – Used in Styrofoam containers, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, take-out food containers,
plastic cutlery, compact disc cases. Leaches styrene, which is an endocrine disruptor mimicking the female hormone estrogen,
and thus has the potential to cause reproductive and developmental problems; long-term exposure by workers has shown brain
and nervous system effects; adverse effects on red blood cells, liver, kidneys and stomach in animal studies. Also present
in secondhand cigarette smoke, off-gassing of building materials, car exhaust and possibly drinking water. Styrene migrates
significantly from polystyrene containers One must be careful in interpreting this category because it includes polycarbonate
- a dangerous plastic - but it also includes the new, safer, biodegradable bio-based plastics made from renewable resources
such as corn and potato starch, and sugar cane. Polycarbonate is used in many plastic baby bottles, clear plastic “sippy”
cups, sports water bottles, three and five gallon large water storage containers, metal food can liners, some juice and ketchup
containers, compact discs, cell phones, and computers. Polycarbonate leaches Bisphenol A (some effects described above), and
numerous studies have indicated a wide array of possible adverse effects from low-level exposure to Bisphenol A: chromosome
damage in female ovaries, decreased sperm production in males, early onset of puberty, various behavioral changes, altered
immune function, and sex reversal in frogs. Two other types of plastic that fall under code 7 are acrylonitrile styrene
(AS) or styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Both AS/SAN and ABS are higher quality plastics
with increased strength, rigidity, toughness and temperature and chemical resistance. AS/SAN is used in mixing bowls, thermos
casing, dishes, cutlery, coffee filters, toothbrushes, outer covers (printers, calculators, lamps), battery housing. The incorporation
of butadiene during the manufacture of AS/SAN, produces ABS, which is an even tougher plastic. ABS is used in LEGO toys,
pipes, golf club heads, automotive parts, protective head gear. Avoid polycarbonate (#7) baby bottles and sippy cups.
For baby bottles, try and use glass, polyethylene or polypropylene instead. Sippy cups made of stainless steel (e.g., Kleen
Kanteen, Purica), or of polypropylene or polyethylene are safer. Be sure to check the bottle or cup to be sure of the type
of plastic it contains. As for baby bottle nipples, try and use silicone which does not leach the carcinogenic nitrosamines
that can be found in latex. If you must use polycarbonate (#7) bottles, avoid heating food and drink in the bottle.
Heat it in a separate container and transfer it to the bottle once it is warm enough for the child to eat or drink. If the
plastic is showing signs of wear – scratched, cloudy – discard the container.
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For drinking water, try and avoid plastic bottles. If you do use plastic bottles made from #1 or #2 plastic try not to
reuse them as they are intended only for single use. One alternative is a stainless steel water bottle. For storing large
quantities of water, glass and stainless steel containers are also available. If you use a #1 water bottle, try to consume
the contents as soon as possible because leaching of antimony increases with time. Try to avoid heating foods in plastic
containers, especially in the microwave oven, which can cause the plastic to degrade and leach chemicals faster. As well,
leaching increases when plastic comes into contact with oily or fatty foods, or when the plastic is scratched, worn, cracked,
or sticky.Use plastic wraps with caution, especially in the microwave, and tries to keep the plastic from touching the food.
Alternatives include wax paper or paper towels.Try and use alternatives to plastic packaging and storage containers. Cloth,
paper or cardboard are possibilities for transporting groceries. Stainless steel and glass food storage containers are available. Avoid
plastic dishes and utensils for meals. Alternatives include glass, ceramic, wood, stainless steel, and lacquer ware. Offer
your child or grandchild a non-plastic dish set made of either stainless steel or wood (safely coated with a non-toxic lacquer).
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