Are you aware that there is a number on the packaging or bottom of most plastics? The number is a recycle plant code which indicates the type of plastic or chemical make-up of the plastic. Many products that are available to us in our stores may be made from plastic materials that can release toxic chemicals into our body, food or beverages which can disrupt hormones and cause cancer. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission just mandated new requirements for manufacturers using phtalates and lead in products for children under the age of 12 due to the serious dangers of it. (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09120.html)
This week, I had the disturbing experience of going through some of the plastics in my house to check all the numbers. At first, I was very happy to find that I wasn’t finding very much that had any of the unsafe numbers (3, 6 & 7), until I reached my bathroom. I had two large bottles of bubble bath in clear plastic containers that we have been bathing our children in for about a month. The bottom of the two bubble bath containers had the #3 PVC. I was shocked and upset to find this and have now gone through my entire house with a vengeance to eliminate any household products that touch our skin, food or drinks labeled with 3, 6 or 7. I recommend this to everyone who wants to keep their family safe from toxic, cancerous plastics.
Safe
#1 PETE or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) – Usually on clear beverage bottles such as soft drinks, water bottles, jelly, salad dressing, ketchup, mayonnaise, peanut butter, BBQ sauce, sport drinks, mouthwash, beer, blueberries/strawberries from the produce department.
#2 HDPE (high density polyethylene) – “Cloudy plastics” such as milk, gallon water containers, orange juice, yogurt, butter, bags of cereal, shampoo/conditioner, cleaning products, grocery and retail store bags.
#4 LDPE (low density polyethylene) – Found in certain squeezable bottles such as jelly, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, salad dressing, some food storage bags and containers and six pack soda can rings.
#5 PP (polypropylene) – Used in diapers, sanitary products and many disposable bottles such as syrup, yogurt, straws, baby bottles, cups, bowls and some medicine bottles.
Not Safe
#3 PVC or V (polyvinyl chloride) – “flexible, soft plastics” such as plastic trays in cookies, chocolates, candy bar wrappers, cling wraps, children’s teething rings, squeezable infant toys, bath toys and bubble bath. You never want to cook with anything made with PVC. When heated it releases toxins that are suspected as a human carcinogen. PVC plastic is very toxic! According to ATSDR, “children may be exposed to insignificant levels of vinyl chloride in PVC based toys and animal studies suggest that infants and young children may be more susceptible than adults to vinyl chloride induced cancer”. Look for toys that have labels indicating; Phthalate-free or PVC Free.
Interesting Read on How dangerous is PVC in Toys? http://www.besafenet.com/pvc/news/archives/2008/08/august_28_-_how.html
#6 PS (polystyrene) – “hard plastic or foam like (styrofoam)” typically found in disposable plastic plates, cups, and tableware, meat and bakery trays, clear take-out containers and aspirin bottles. According to ATDR, “small amounts of Styrene can transfer to food or beverages from Styrene based packaging”. Styrene is considered a human carcinogen according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Interesting Read on Polystyrene: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts53.html
#7 Other (most likely polycarbonate) – refillable plastic water bottles, baby bottles, food storage containers and food can linings. Polycarbonates release bisphenol A (BPA) into foods/beverages that they are stored in. As of April 2008, Canada announced that bisphenol A (BPA) is toxic to human health.
Interesting Read on Polycarbonate Bisphenol A (BPA): http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/95761.php
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