Plastics-Check your labels!

I have to talk about plastics as my very first article, as it is such a growing problem in the subject of toxic sources. I want to make sure that everyone knows about the labeling system for plastics, and what it means to you. Your plastic containers, cups and bags should have a triangle on the bottom with a number in the middle. That system is utilized in recycling programs, as some plastics can be recycled and some cannot. However, this number also tells you which plastic the product is made of so that you know how toxic it is to your body! This is what each number is, and I'll give a few examples of that plastic:

#1 - PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate). Water/soft drink bottles, salad dressing and veg oil bottles, peanut butter containers, some food packaging films. The American Chemistry Council stands by its assertion that, "...these materials are essentially nontoxic and pose no threats to human health..."1 Still be very careful, however, not to reuse these bottles or heat them (like in a dishwasher), as that could change the leaching ability of this chemical.
#2 - HDPE (high density polyethylene). Milk jugs, some detergent and cleaner and shampoo bottles, yogurt and butter tubs, cereal box liners. Not known to be a carcinogen or leach chemicals.
#3 - PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Clear food packaging, some detergent and shampoo and cooking oil bottles, piping. Vinyl chloride is listed by the 11th Report on Carcinogens as "known to be a human carcinogen."
#4 - LDPE (low density polyethylene). Squeezable bottles, bread and frozen food and grocery bags. Not known to be a carcinogen or leach chemicals.
#5 - PP (polypropylene). Some yogurt and syrup and ketchup containers, straws, some kids' cups. Not known to be a carcinogen or leach chemicals.
#6 - PS (polystyrene). Styrofoam products, trays for chicken/beef/pork, egg cartons, carry-out containers, CD cases. This chemical can be made into either rigid or foam products. It may leach styrene into foods. Styrene is listed by the 11th Report on Carcinogens as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen."
#7 - Miscellaneous. Polycarbonate water bottles, food and carry-out containers, nylon, Nalgene products, some baby bottles, some metal can liners, epoxy resins. The #7 category is a catch-all category. The chemical Bisphenol A, found in many #7 products, is a hot topic right now, a very bad chemical, and I will do a separate post on that one to explain it in more detail.

At this stage of the game from what we know for sure, get rid of #3, #6 and #7 plastics in your home! Get in the habit of checking all plastics for the little triangle on the bottom of containers before you use it or buy it. Remove food from carry-out containers as soon as you get home. Use glass containers as much as possible.

Blessings,
Heidi

1 - Packaging Materials: 1. PET for Food Packaging Applications. International Life Sciences Institute; 2000, Washington D.C., p. 11.