There is some controversy over the use of plastic in food preparation and storage. Controversy is good. After all, you’re talking about big money, and if Big Money doesn’t like your tone of voice, then you must be doing something right. Titanic petrochemical companies like Dow, ExxonMobil, and BASF, are making billions upon billions in annual profits and they’d rather not have chanticleers waking up their neighbors.
It wasn’t always so.
Plastics were born innocently enough in the Age of Industrialism. The first synthetic plastic, Bakelite (phenol & formaldehyde), was created in 1907 by Leo Baekeland. Over the next two decades, Bakelite became a kind of miracle material to be used in records, cameras, radios, and of course telephones. Have you ever held a Bakelite phone? It is a cold unearthly substance like bone but heavier. It’s easy to see why Hyat Burroughs chose Bakelite to replace ivory billiard balls in 1917. Function and durability were not the only advantages of this new material. During the Great Depression, Bakelite radios were ten times cheaper than wood radios. Th popularity had far-reaching social and cultural effects. Suddenly the President of the
It’s really an old story and, if you’ve studied history, you know it.
Ushering in the machine age in the ‘30s and ‘40s, the petrochemical industry began cranking out other new materials like styrene (synthetic rubber), acrylics (Plexiglas, Lexan), and vinyl chloride (Saran, Teflon). Suddenly there was a war on, between nations and between corporations. The assembly line was king.
After the War, with the rise of consumer credit and consumer electronics, the demand for plastics was as high as ever. The American lifestyle had changed and the petrochemical industry was there to accommodate. You might also say that this was the logical outcome of years of advertisements pushing colorful inexpensive gadgets at the public.
In the year 2007, plastics have become part of the modern everyday, on the verge of replacing paper currency: “Do you take plastic?” To which the answer is inevitably yes. You can’t turn around without seeing some form of plastic at work, in your car, at home. At this very moment, I am typing on plastic, sitting on plastic, wearing plastic. Several of my teeth are capped in composite resin. Guess what? More plastic.
In this plastics-driven world – in the cogs of production and consumption – in the maze of information and misinformation – this is a fine time for individuals and congregations and corporations to question the environmental impact and safety of many new materials.
Experience teaches that we Americans can’t rely on the federal government to protect us. So it comes as no surprise that“The FDA has recognized that chemical components of adhesives, polymers, paper, and paperboard products used in microwave packaging migrate into food but has developed virtually no regulations” (The Safe Shopper's Bible 373).
Healthy Child Healthy World, a non-profit that advocates for safer products and environments for children, claims:
The use of plastics in food storage and cooking can carry health risks. Plastics have been linked to endocrine disruption in babies, cancers, birth defects, and poor brain/nervous system development. Some petroleum-based plastics leach harmful chemicals 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.
Use of certain plastics may also result in exposure to phthalates. For example, diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) may migrate from foodwraps during storage. It is classified as a probable human carcinogen and also causes chronic health problems, including liver and kidney abnormalities. Breathing dust contaminated by phthalates that have escaped from vinyl products used in the home may be a significant exposure for children. Children spend up to 90% of their time indoors breathing close to the floor, and many children’s toys are made out of phthalate-softened vinyl.
If these claims are true, are we plastic? That is, are we “readily capable of change”? For most of us, the answer is “No.” Change takes effort. Change takes time. And it’s easy to be overwhelmed.
Try this. Read up on the different types of plastic below and then consider these simple suggestions from HCHW:
- Avoid the use of polycarbonate (No. 7) and polystyrene (No.3 and No.6). If the packaging does not identify the plastic, ask the manufacturer or don’t buy it.
- Choose safer plastics such as polyethylene (No.2 and No.4) and polypropylene (No.5) which require the use of less toxic additives and are non-chlorinated.
- Look for products which state “no phthalates” or “no bisphenol A (BPA)” – these are safer.
- Avoid using plastic containers in the microwave - unsafe chemicals are released when plastics are heated. Instead, use glass or ceramic containers to microwave food and beverages. Pop out frozen food from plastic containers and heat in glass or ceramic.
- Wash plastic containers by hand with a mild soap instead. Dishwasher’s hot water degrades most (if not all) plastics.
- Be cautious of cling wraps, especially for microwave use. Wrap foods in butcher paper, waxed paper, or paper towels. Or store food in glass or ceramic.
- Use alternatives to plastic whenever possible. Use glass, ceramic (lead free), and stainless steel.
- Replace vinyl chew toys made of soft plastic - If you see “V” or “3”, it’s PVC - don’t buy it. Opt for toys and books made with natural wood, paper, cloth, or metal. If you can’t eliminate all of your child’s PVC toys, then make sure they are cleaned regularly. Wet wipe them regularly.
- Look – be aware of plastic products in your child’s surroundings – squeeze toys, rattles, bath toys, cribs, teethers, pacifiers, high chairs, sippy cups, and baby bottles.
Disclaimer: I am not a scientist, so I can only tell you what I’ve read. But I am reasonably confident of the reliability of the information below. It is also the most readable and comprehensive listing that I've seen. If you find a better handbook/cheat sheet on plastics and safe food storage, please let me know.
Plastic No. 1 (20-30% of total sales)
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE) – Often including DEHA (diethylhydroxylamine) and DMT (dimethyl terephthalate), potential carcinogens
Description:
Plastic No. 1 (PET, PETE) is usually clear and durable. It has good gas and moisture barrier properties. Generally, it has good resistance to mineral oils, solvents and acids but not to bases. It is very inflammable and inflammability can be reduced by the use of additives.
Creation:
· Production of 1 kg of PET requires the equivalent of about 2 kg of oil (raw material and energy).
Common Uses:
· Plastic soft drink, water, sports drink, beer, mouthwash, catsup and salad dressing bottles, peanut butter, pickle, jelly and jam jars, prepared food trays and film that is used to cook frozen foods and roast.
· Commonly used in soft drink bottles and many injection molded consumer product containers. Other applications include strapping and both food and non-food containers.
Disposal:
· Incineration in an incineration plant mainly produces water and carbon dioxide. Heating value is equivalent to 1/2 kg of oil.
· PET can be recycled into fibres that are used for polyester fabrics.
Recycled Products Include:
· Fiber, tote bags, clothing, film and sheet, food and beverage containers, carpet, strapping, fleece wear, luggage and bottles.
· Cleaned, recycled PET flakes and pellets are in great demand for spinning fiber for carpet yarns, producing fiberfill and geo-textiles.
· Nickname...Polyester.
Plastic No. 2 (50-60% of total sales)
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Description:
Appearance is wax-like and opaque. HDPE has stiffness, strength, toughness, resistance to chemicals and moisture, permeability to gas, ease of processing, and ease of forming. It is highly resistant to many acids, alcalis and solvents. Dishwasher safe. Some types can be used in contact with food.
Creation:
· Production of 1 kg of HDPE requires the equivalent of about 1.75 kg of oil (raw material, energy).
Common Uses:
· Milk, water, juice, cosmetic, shampoo, dish and laundry detergent bottles; yogurt and margarine tubs; cereal box liners; grocery, trash and retail bags.
· HDPE is used to make bottles for milk, juice, water and laundry products. Unpigmented bottles are translucent, have good barrier properties and stiffness, and are well suited to packaging products with a short shelf life such as milk. Because HDPE has good chemical resistance, it is used for packaging many household and industrial chemicals such as detergent and bleach. Pigmented HDPE bottles have better stress crack resistance than unpigmented HDPE bottles.
Disposal:
· Used PE plastic can be recycled through remelting although there is a quality loss. Incineration is straightforward and comparable to oil, since PE only consists of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
· In an incineration plant only water and carbon dioxide are produced. However, common additives like UV-stabilizators (e.g. carbon black), dyeing agents and fire protectors can produce other waste products.
Recycled Products Include:
· Liquid laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner and motor oil bottles; pipe, buckets, crates, flower pots, garden edging, film and sheet, recycling bins, benches, dog houses, plastic lumber, floor tiles, picnic tables, fencing.
Plastic No. 3 (5-10% of total sales)
Vinyl (Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC) – Leaches dioxins and linked to DEHP & DEHA (carcinogens)
Description:
· Appreciated for its versatility, clarity, ease of blending, strength, toughness. In addition to its stable physical properties, PVC has excellent grease, oil and chemical resistance, performs well in all weather, flow characteristics and stable electrical properties. PVC is self-extinguishing due to the content of chlorine. The diverse slate of vinyl products can be broadly divided into rigid and flexible materials. Soft PVC contains the softener agent DEHP which is under suspicion to reduce men's semen quality. Soft PVC should therefore not be used in contact with food.
· PVC forms hydrochloric acid when it degrades, which causes a chain reaction that proceeds rapidly to a complete loss of strength. Stabilizers are added to prevent this from occurring. Stabilizers used in PVC are generally metal salts, often lead.
Creation:
· Production of 1 kg of PVC requires the equivalent of about 1.5 kg of oil (raw material and energy). This is a low cost plastic.
Common Uses:
· Clear food and non-food packaging, salad dressing and liquid detergent containers, loose-leaf binders, medical tubing, wire and cable insulation, film and sheet, construction products such as plastic pipes, fittings, decking, paneling, gutters, mud flaps, siding, floor tiles, carpet backing and window frames..
· Bottles and packaging sheet are major rigid markets, but it is also widely used in the construction market for such applications as pipes and fittings, siding, carpet backing and windows.
· Flexible vinyl is used in wire and cable insulation, film and sheet, floor coverings synthetic leather products, coatings, blood bags, medical tubing and many other applications.
Disposal:
· When PVC burns, strong hydrochloric acid emanates. Incomplete combustion can develop poisonous dioxin. PVC can be recycled and used in e.g. garden hoses.
Recycled Products Include:
· Packaging, film and sheet, floor tiles and mats, resilient flooring, cassette trays, electrical boxes, cables, traffic cones, garden hose, mobile home skirting.
Plastic No. 4 (5-10% of total sales)
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Description:
· Excellent resistance to water, moisture and most organic solvents and chemicals (except ones with aromatic or chlorine content). Used predominately in film applications due to its ease of processing, strength, toughness, flexibility, relative transparency, and ease of sealing.
Creation:
· Production of 1 kg of LDPE requires the equivalent of about 2 kg of oil (raw material and energy).
Common Uses:
· Dry cleaning bags, produce bags, trash can liners, bread and frozen food bags, food storage containers, squeezable bottles, e.g. honey, mustard
· LDPE is also used to manufacture some flexible lids, bottles; used in wire and cable applications
Disposal:
· Used PE plastic can be recycled through remelting, although there is a quality loss. Incineration is straightforward and comparable to oil, since PE only consists of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Recycled Products Include:
· Shipping envelopes, garbage can liners, floor tile, furniture, film and sheet, compost bins, paneling, trash cans, landscape timber, lumber
Plastic No. 5 (5-10% of total sales)
Polypropylene (PP)
Description:
· Polypropylene is an inexpensive, ductile, low strength material with reasonable outdoor performance. The material surface is soft and wax-like and scratches easily. It is resistant to heat, chemicals, grease and oil; it is a barrier to moisture and has a high melting point which makes it good for hot-fill liquids.
· PP material catches fire and burns easily, releasing smoke. Additives reduce its inflammability.
Creation:
· Production of 1 kg of PP requires the equivalent of about 1.75 kg of oil (raw material and energy). This is a low cost plastic.
Common Uses:
· Catsup bottles, yogurt containers, margarine tubs, medicine bottles, aerosol caps, drinking straws
· PP is found in flexible and rigid packaging to fibers and large molded parts for automotive and consumer products.
Disposal:
· Incineration is straightforward and comparable to oil, since PP only consists of hydrogen and carbon atoms. In an incineration plant only water and carbon dioxide are produced. Heating value is equivalent to 3/4 kg of oil.
Recycled Products Include:
· Automobile battery cases, signal lights, battery cables, brooms, brushes, ice scrapers, oil funnels, bicycle racks, rakes, bins, pallets, sheeting, trays
Plastic No. 6 (5-10% of total sales)
Polystyrene (PS) – Styrene exposure has been proven to cause respiratory illness and CNS (central nervous system) problems
Description:
· Polystyrene is versatile, has good insulation, and is an easily formed plastic that can be rigid or foamed.
· General purpose polystyrene is clear, hard and brittle. It has a relatively low melting point.
· PS is resistant to water, acids, bases and detergents, but it dissolves in almost all solvents.
· It is not weather resistant, and therefore not suitable for outdoor uses.
Creation:
· Production of 1 kg of PS requires the equivalent of about 2 1/4 kg of oil (raw material and energy). Styrene monomers are harmful to health.
· Polystyrene burns easily but slowly, with development of thick sooty smoke. Inflammability can be reduced by addition of special additives.
Common Uses:
· Compact disc jackets, food service applications, grocery store meat trays, egg cartons, aspirin bottles, packaging pellets or Styrofoam peanuts, plastic tableware...cups, cutlery, plates meat trays, to-go "clam shell" containers
· Other applications include protective packaging, containers, lids, cups, bottles and trays.
Disposal:
· Incineration in an incineration plant mainly produces water and carbon dioxide. Heating value is equivalent to 1 kg of oil.
Recycled Products Include:
· Thermometers, light switch plates, thermal insulation, egg cartons, vents, desk trays, rulers, license plate frames, foam packing, foam plates, cups, utensils
Plastic No. 7 (5-10% of total sales)
Other Plastics, or polycarbonate (‘Lexan’) – Linked to BPA, an endocrine disruptor
Description:
· Use of this code indicates that the package in question is made with a resin other than the six listed above, or is made of more than one resin listed above, and used in a multi-layer combination.
· Light transmission is 85-90% but depends on the thickness. It has good outdoors resistance in the UV-stabilized form, but it tends to turn yellow by long exposition to sunlight. PC is transparent and can be dyed in many colors.
· BPA leaching is greater in polycarbonate that is scratched, cloudy or exhibits other signs of wear. Leaching is also accelerated by heat. Hot and fatty foods or liquids may dissolve traces of BPA.
· Recent studies suggest that BPA exposure can impair brain function, leading to learning disabilities and age-related neurodegenerative disease. Doses of BPA lower than current EPA limits in female rats inhibited estrogen-induction of synaptic connections in the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved with the expression of sexually differentiated behaviors. Another study found that exposure to BPA before birth permanently changed DNA signaling in rats, predisposing them to developing cancer much later. However, this study injected BPA directly into the subject animals’ blood, whereas most human exposure is via ingestion.
Creation:
· Production of 1 kg of PC requires the equivalent of about 2 1/2 kg of oil (raw material and energy).
Common Uses:
· Three- and five-gallon reusable water bottles, some citrus juice and ketchup bottles
· Certain kinds of food containers and Tupperware.
Disposal:
· Incineration in an incineration plant mainly produces water and carbon dioxide. Heating value is equivalent to 1/2 kg of oil.
Recycled Products Include:
· Bottles, plastic lumber applications
Sources:
The Safe Shopper's Bible: A Consumer's Guide to Nontoxic Household Products, Cosmetics, and Food by David Steinman & Samuel S. Epstein, M.D. published by Macmillan USA 1995, New York.
City of
“Petroleum and Downstream Products” by Michael J. Felton. Enterprise of the Chemical Sciences
"The Rise of Bakelite and other plastics in the USA in the 1930s" by Louis Bloedbeld
1 comments:
Jonathan! This blog is wonderful! I am totally impressed. thanks for all this eco-wisdom. For the sake of our world, please keep it up!
-Rob Mark
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