Plastics to Avoid
Here is an article written by Alison White and Jacky Pearson from the Safe Food Campaign NZ
I (Anna) attended an excellent presentation by Alison in Nelson.
We have been aware of the dangers of plastics since reading the book, Our Stolen Futures, (highly recommended!!!). The main concern is the estrogen mimicing and carcinogenic qualities of some plastic chemicals, and the effect of these on our hormonal systems and unborn children. Read on for more great info...
A gathering body of research is showing that certain chemicals which
are added to plastics could have irreversible effects on the body,
especially if a foetus is exposed to them.
Check out the bottom of your plastic containers and look for the triangle.
When you read numbers 3, 6 and 7 avoid using them.
Ask manufacturers and retailers to not use them.
No. 3 PVC (plastic bottles and containers, children’s toys, wall paint, vinyl flooring,)
No. 6 polystyrene ( PS - cups, styrofoam products)
No. 7 polycarbonate (PC - in many baby bottles, some microwave cookware).
A chemical added to No. 7 polycarbonate is bisphenol A (BPA), which is also added to the resin lining of food cans and dental sealants. It readily leaches into food, especially when heated or exposed to acid food and drinks. Very low levels of BPA, about which there have been an explosion of studies over the last 10 years, have been shown to scramble the chromosomes of the exposed foetus, with effects noticed even in the next generation. Indeed, 38 world experts on bisphenol A have published a consensus statement this year, in which they warn regulatory authorities that average levels of BPA in people are above those that cause harm in laboratory studies. Effects noted included breast and prostate cancers, infertility, spontaneous miscarriage, changes in the brain structure and chemistry, and behaviour.
No. 3 PVC (polyvinyl chloride or just vinyl) is a known human carcinogen and very damaging to the environment. When chlorine in PVC is produced, used or burned, the process creates dioxin, one of the most toxic hazards known to man. Phthalates are often added to PVC to make it pliable, in children’s toys for example. They are unbound to the plastic so can leach out readily. Like dioxin, phthalates are a suspected endocrine disruptor, ie affecting our hormones.
No. 6 Polystyrene is a suspect carcinogen, and contains p-nonylphenol, an endocrine disruptor. Sometimes used by takeaways to keep food warm, it can take thousands of years to break down.
Safer Alternatives
Instead of using plastic containers save glass jars or use ceramics for storing and freezing food in the fridge. If plastic is unavoidable, avoid 3, 6 and 7 or use cellophane and wrap children’s lunches in natural wax paper. Disposable cutlery and containers can be bought made of corn, sugar and potato starch.
Note: NEVER microwave or heat foods in plastics.
The better plastics to use
No known health effects have been associated with No. 1 PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate - most 2 litre or less drink bottles), No.2 HDPE (High Density Polyethylene -milk bottles), No.4 LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene – bread bags, some cling wraps), and No.5 PP (polypropylene - containers). However we recommend sticking to plastics 1 and 2, because these are commonly the ones that New Zealand local authorities recycle.
For further information: www.ourstolenfuture.org and www.checnet.org
By Jacky Pearson and Alison White November 2007 Safe Food Campaign www.safefood.org.nz
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