Plastic: Handle with care

Friday, 9 January 2015 04:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By nature plastics are hazardous but our homes are filled with plastics, and most of us don’t really take care what they’re made of or whether they’re safe. Our main objective with this article is to help people choose better plastic and plastic alternatives for their family. The featured article compiled a breakdown of what each Resin Identification Code means, which you can use to help you make informed decisions on your plastic usage.

Why you should choose plastic carefully You should avoid any plastic designated #7, #3 and #6. Plastic that are safe, or at least relatively so are #1, #2, #4 and #5. In terms of the specific themselves the most hazardous are polyurethanes, PVC, and styrene copolymers. You will find these designated numbers on the product itself, i.e. at the bottom of plastic bottles, etc. The toxicity of plastics is not fully understood or adequately tested. What we do know is that most plastics contain chemical additives to change the quality of the plastic for its intended use (examples are to make it softer or resistant to UV light). Some of these ingredients or additives we know are harmful, like the plastics chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) and the plastic softeners called phthalates. We also know that plastics chemicals routinely migrate, or leach, into the food and water they contain. While the amount may be small, it has not been proven safe. Plastics are continually changing and there are unknowns. Use them with

caution, especially those that are commonly found in our households and have contact with our food and our bodies. Choose and use safer plastics – where it matters most Because plastics are ubiquitous today, choose them carefully to minimise your exposure. Avoiding them altogether isn’t practical, so we suggest you focus on those that are likely to come into contact with your mouth – the most common way chemicals in plastic consumer products enter the body. Plastic chemicals touch your mouth in number of ways: from your hands and your food and drink. This is especially important for young children, who frequently put hands and objects in their mouth. Stay away from toys marked with a “3” or “PVC” (polyvinyl chloride, commonly called vinyl). PVC is often mixed with phthalates, a toxic additives that makes plastic more flexible. Avoid polycarbonate containers (sometimes marked with a #7 or “PC”). These plastics are rigid and transparent, like plastic food storage containers and water bottles, among other things. Trace amounts of BPA can migrate from these containers, particularly if used for hot food or liquids. Soft or cloudy-coloured plastic does not contain BPA. We recommend the use of glass and ceramic instead of plastics. When you have no choice plastics marked with a #1, #2, #4 or# 5 don’t contain BPA and may be better choices. When you do use plastics, handle them safely. We suggest that you:

Don’t microwave food or drinks in plastic containers –even if they claim to be “microwave safe”. Heat can break down plastics and release chemical additives into your food and drink. Microwave heat unevenly, creating hot spots where the plastic is more likely to break down. Use plastic containers for cool liquids – not hot.
Don’t reuse single use plastics. They can break down and release plastics chemicals when used repeatedly.
Avoid old, scratched plastic water bottles. Exposures to plastics chemicals may be greater when the surface is worn down. Don’t expose water bottles to sunlight, especially inside vehicles.
Wash plastics on the top rack of the dishwasher, farther from the heating element, or by hand. This will reduce wear and tear.
Don’t allow your baby or young child to handle or chew on plastic electronics (the remote, your cell phone) because they may be treated with fire retardants.

Some safer alternatives For the kids

When bottle feeding infants choose glass or BPA-free baby bottles with a clear silicone nipple.
Give your baby natural teethes like frozen washcloths or natural, uncoated wood. Plastic teethes could have harmful additives that leach when chewed.

In the kitchen

Ceramic or glass food containers (like Pyrex) are better to store and heat your food and drink.
When using an electric mixer, choose glass or Pyrex instead of plastic to avoid chipping bits of plastic into your food.
Lay natural flooring instead of vinyl.
Use wooden cutting boards – but care for them properly to minimise bacteria.
Cover food in the microwave with a paper towel instead of plastic wrap.

In the bathroom

Pick a cotton shower curtain instead of vinyl.
In the tub, let the kids play with cotton washcloths, finger papers wooden toy boats and lightweight aluminium cups instead of soft plastic bath toys and books.

It is possible to seriously cut back on the amount of plastic in your life, which i strongly recommend and given tips above would help you to avoid plastic as much as possible. However, for the plastics you do use it’s important to be aware of the risks they pose. This can be determined through a classification system called the Resin Identification Code (RIC), which is the number printed on the bottom of most plastic bottles and food containers. It describes what kind of plastic resin the product is made out of. (The writer was formerly part of the Marketing Wing of John Keells (Quality & Standard Division of Supermarkets) and is presently working as the Manager Sales and Operations at SDK United Agri Ventures Ltd./Director Provincial & City Security Services Ltd.)

Plastic: Handle with care

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