Toxic Plastic

Plastic, plastic everywhere. It has permeated ever aspect of our lives. It is in our children's toys, cars, drinking straws, toothbrushes, the computer I write this on. How can we recognise the different types of plastic and those which may be harmful for our health? 


Learn the Recycling Codes
Start by learning the recycling codes and look for the little symbol printed on items. Remember that the number codes 3, 6 and 7 could pose a risk to your health.


Make a Choice to Avoid;
Number 3: PVC - a carcinogen and endocrine disruptor
Number 6: Polystyrene - a carcinogen
Number 7: Polycarbonate - an endocrine disruptor

Number 1: PET Plastic (polyethylene terephthalate)

This is the most common plastic used for bottled drinks. Some of the places you will find this plastic in your home is bottled water, and softdrinks, mouthwash, peanut butter and vegemite jars, vegetable oil bottles. When used as a single use and then placed into your recycling bin it poses a low risk to your health from leaching toxins into the substance they hold.

Number 2: HDPE Plastic (high density polyethylene) 

HDPE is a versatile plastic with many uses, especially for packaging. You find this plastic in milk bottles, juice bottles, bleach, detergent and household cleaner bottles, shampoo and conditioner bottles, margarine and yogurt containers, garbage bags. Like plastic 1, it poses a low risk to your health from leaching toxins into the substance they hold.

Number 3: V (Vinyl) or PVC 

PVC is tough and weathers well.  It can be found in window cleaner and detergent bottles, cosmetic bottles, cooking oil bottles, cling wrap, electrical wire cover, household water pipes and shower curtains.  


World wide there is significant concensus of opinion that number 3 plastics should be avoided for food and drinks due to the pthalates within them that make these plastics soft and flexible. Pthalates are an endocrine disrupting chemical. Vinyl chloride, a known human carcinogen is released in the manufacture of PVC. 


The risk of food and drink contamination from these chemicals is highest when containers start wearing out, are put through the dishwasher or when they are heated (including microwaved). If you must cook with cling wrap, don't let the plastic touch food. PVC materials can also off-gas toxic plasticizers into your home.

Number 4: LDPE Plastic (low density polyethylene) 

It is found in squeezable bottles like moisturizer bottles, bread bags, frozen food packaging, dry cleaning and shopping bags, clothing, furniture and carpet.

Number 5: PP (polypropylene) 

Polypropylene has a high melting point, and so is often chosen for containers that must accept hot liquid. It can be found in some yogurt containers, tomato sauce bottles, caps, straws, and medicine bottles.

Number 6: PS (polystyrene) 

Polystyrene can be made into rigid or foam products -- in the latter case it is popularly known as the trademark Styrofoam. It is commonly found in disposable plates and cups, meat trays, take away containers,  compact disc cases. Evidence suggests polystyrene can leach styrene a carcinogen into foods. This is particularly evident which heated. 

It definitely makes you think twice about ordering that coffee in a polystyrene cup. 

Number 7: Miscellaneous 

A wide variety of plastic resins that don't fit into the previous categories are lumped into number 7. They are commonly found in drinking bottles, baby bottles, some dishes, office water dispenser bottles, sunglasses, DVDs, iPod and computer cases, signs and displays, food containers, and nylon. 


Significantly, Polycarbonate is number 7, it is a hard shatter proof plastic made with BPA, an  endocrine disruptor. Since awareness of BPA has increased of the past few years many manufacturers are now steering clear of it. It can still be found in the water station in your office. These polycarbonate bottles are continually rinsed and re-used causing BPA to leach into the water they hold. This process is exacerbated when heat is applied, such as when they sit on the back of a truck in the hot sun waiting to be delivered. 


Images Source: Iphoto