Plastic Safety

Contents A safety guide ................................................................................................................................................ 2

Polyethylene Terephthalate ..................................................................................................................... 3

High-Density Polyethylene ....................................................................................................................... 3

Polyvinyl Chloride ..................................................................................................................................... 4

Low-density polyethylene ........................................................................................................................ 4

Polypropylene ........................................................................................................................................... 5

Polystyrene ............................................................................................................................................... 5

OTHER (Varies) .......................................................................................................................................... 6

Safest Choices ............................................................................................................................................... 6

Reference .................................................................................................................................................... 10

Phthalates ..................................................................................................................................................... 7

What are phthalates? ........................................................................................................................... 7

How do they affect us? ........................................................................................................................ 7

Who do they affect? ............................................................................................................................. 7

Where are phthalates found? .............................................................................................................. 7

How can we avoid phthalates? ............................................................................................................ 8

Bisphenol A (BPA) ......................................................................................................................................... 9

What is BPA? ........................................................................................................................................ 9

Who is at risk? ...................................................................................................................................... 9

Where is BPA found? ............................................................................................................................ 9

How can we decrease our exposure to BPA?..................................................................................... 10

A safety guide

Even though there are safer choices of plastics, there is no guarantee that harmful chemicals

will not leach. Play it safe by avoiding plastics completely.

This guide is intended to help you make safer choices when using plastics. There are several

types of plastics some being safer than others. Plastic products are commonly marked with a number

enclosed by the recycling symbol, which is typically found on the bottom of the product. This symbol is

used to identify the plastic and recyclability of the product. In general plastic products marked with the

numbers 2, 4 and 5 are the safer choices.

The following graphic is a quick summary of the plastics labels and their threat level.

The following sections provide information on each type of plastic.

Polyethylene Terephthalate

Plastic # 1

High-Density Polyethylene

Plastic # 2

Polyvinyl Chloride

Plastic # 3

Low-density polyethylene

Plastic # 4

Polypropylene

Plastic # 5

Polystyrene

Plastic # 6

OTHER (Varies)

Plastic # 7

Polyethylene Terephthalate

Plastic #1 PET or PETE stands for polyethylene terephthalate, a plastic resin and a form of polyester.

Where is PETE found? PETE is commonly used to package:

Cosmetics

Household cleaners

Water

Juice

Soft drinks

Salad dressings

Oil

Peanut butter

Health Concerns Studies have found levels of antimony (a toxic chemical) leaching from water bottles that have been

placed in heat for prolonged times. Although PETE does not contain BPA or Phthalates, its always best

to make sure that your water bottles are not temperature abused. PETE plastic should not be reused

because cleaning detergents and high temperatures can cause chemicals to leach out of the

plastic. Plastic #1 is only intended for one time use.

High-Density Polyethylene

Plastic #2 High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a polyethylene thermoplastic made from petroleum. HDPE is hard,

opaque and can withstand somewhat high temperatures.

Where is HDPE found? HDPE is used in the manufacturing of toys, and the packaging of:

Laundry detergent

Milk jugs

Folding chairs & tables

Health Concerns No known health concerns.

Polyvinyl Chloride

Plastic #3 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a thermoplastic polymer. Through the use of phthalates, a plasticizer, it can

be made softer and more flexible. Read about the harm of phthalates here.

Where is PVC found? Shower curtains

Cling wrap

Waterbeds

Pool toys

Inflatable structures

Clothing

Vinyl IV bags used in neo-natal intensive care

PVC can also be found in car interiors and vinyl flooring, resulting in the release of toxic chemicals into

the air.

Health Concerns PVC is one of the toxic plastics that should be avoided.

Purchase a shower curtain made from organic hemp, bamboo or PEVA. PEVA (polyethylene vinyl

acetate) is a non-vinyl (PVC-free), chlorine-free, biodegradable plastic.

Air out the car before getting in.

Avoid using cling wrap made with PVC.

Avoid inflatable structures, air mattresses, and toys made with PVC. Note: Aerobed pakmat and

Aerobed Ecolite are PVC and phthalate free.

Choose all baby toys, pool toys, and bath toys that are labeled to be PVC, Phthalate and BPA

free.

Low-density polyethylene

Plastic #4 Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a thermoplastic made from petroleum. It can be found translucent

or opaque. It is flexible and tough but breakable.

Where is LDPE found? Juice and milk cartons (as the water-proof inner and outer layer)

Most plastic grocery bags

Some packaging material

Health Concerns No known health concerns.

Polypropylene

Plastic #5 Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer. It is strong, tough, has a high resistance to heat and acts

as a barrier to moisture.

Where is Polypropylene found? Yogurt & margarine tubs

Plastic cups & baby bottles

Kitchenware, microwavable plastic containers and lids

Health Concerns Most PP are microwavable safe and dishwasher safe. NOTE: microwavable/dishwasher safe only means

that the plastic will not warp when heated. It does not imply that it is a healthy practice. A better

alternative is using glass containers to heat foods and to hand wash plastic instead of using the

dishwasher.

Polystyrene

Plastic #6 Polystyrene (PS) is a petroleum-based plastic. It can either be hard or used in the form of styrofoam.

Where is Polystyrene found? Polystyrene is widely used in packaging materials and insulation. Some common items include:

Disposable cutlery

CD and DVD cases

Egg cartons

Foam cups & to-go foam packaging from restaurants.

Health Concerns According to the Foundation for Achievements in Science and Education fact sheet, long term exposure

to small quantities of styrene can cause neurotoxic (fatigue, nervousness, difficulty

sleeping), hematological (low platelet and hemoglobin values), cytogenetic (chromosomal and lymphatic

abnormalities), and carcinogenic effects. Styrene is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the EPA

and by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Ways to avoid Polystyrene:

Package left over foods from a restaurant in your own glass or stainless steel containers.

Avoid Styrofoam cups or plates and instead use stainless steel, glass, or bamboo products.

Bring your own silverware to fast-food restaurants instead of using their plastic ones.

OTHER (Varies)

Plastic #7 This can be a little tricky as it stands for Other which may or may not contain BPA. It is commonly used

to label Polycarbonate (PC). The letters PC may be present with the recycling symbol, which would

indicate that the product is made with polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate is derived from BPA. Read more about the harm of BPA here.

Where is Polycarbonate found? Electrical wiring

CD/DVD cases

Baby bottles

3 and 5 gallon reusable bottles

Health Concerns BPA has been found to be an endocrine disruptor. Choose bottles made with the #1, #2, #4, or #5

recycling codes.

Safest Choices In conclusion, plastic products marked with the numbers 2, 4 and 5 are the safer choices. Regardless of

what plastic you use, avoid exposing your plastics to high temperatures (microwave, dishwasher) and

use mild detergents for cleaning. Since there is no guarantee that plastics will not leach out harmful

chemicals, I suggest playing it safe by trying to avoid plastic when possible.

Phthalates

What are phthalates? Phthalates are used to give plastics their flexibility. Phthalates are added to polyvinylchloride (PVC),

which is a major component of plastic. Phthalates are also used in many household items including:

personal care products, vinyl flooring, paints, pesticides, household cleaners, and much more.

Phthalates have been shown to have hormone mimicking effects. Meaning they take the place of our

natural hormone processes, and interfere with their normal routine, causing adverse effects.

How do they affect us? Studies on phthalates reveal that possible effects include a wide range of male reproductive harm,

including birth defects of the genitals, undescended testicles, and infertility later in life. Possible

behavioral issues, risk for breast cancer, and reproductive abnormalities could be caused in females.

Who do they affect? As with BPA, phthalates can cross the placenta or breast milk in the pregnant or nursing woman,

respectively. They also affect babies and infants because they have a high minute ventilation rate

(increasing exposure through the lungs), take in a greater amount of fluid, food, and water per body

weight than the average adult. Exposure can also be increased through hand to mouth activity.

Since phthalates are suspected to alter the course of development it is most important for women of

childbearing age, before conception if possible, to reduce their exposure to phthalates (and BPA).

According to studies done by Dr. Shanna Swan: Basic functions of a fetus can be altered due to the

exposure of phthalates while in utero. A fetus is sensitive, and does not have the ability to detoxify itself,

causing the affects to be permanent. Dr. Swan states that testosterone is responsible for the entire body

the genitals, the brain, and when a fetus is exposed it begins a cascade that begins to affect the

individual throughout their lifetime. Many of her studies analyze a womans level of phthalates

measured in urine during pregnancy. When some male babies were born they were less completely

masculine as evidenced by genital markers. Since phthalates can be Anti androgenic (lowers

testosterone) a fetus is affected, and when less testosterone is produced, then the process of becoming

male is incomplete.

Where are phthalates found? Phthalates are found in food packaging (cling wrap or containers made with phthalates), building

materials, toys, catheters, intravenous tubing, and they also may also be used as solvents or inert

ingredients in personal care products, cosmetics, fragrances, cleaning products, lubricating oils, and

pesticides.

Note: phthalates can be disguised in the term fragrance in the ingredient list.

Phthalates can leach into our foods when in contact with fatty and/or acidic substances. They can also

be released into the air during the manufacturing process of plastics. Phthalates appear to cross the

placenta and also pass into breast milk.

The most widely used and produced phthalates is diethylhexyl phthalates (DEHP). It is metabolized in

the digestive system and is transformed into one of the more toxic metabolites, monoethylhexyl

phthalate (MEHP), which is ultimately excreted in the urine.

How can we avoid phthalates? Here are some ways to decrease your exposure to phalates.

Use wax paper or parchment paper instead of plastic wrap.

Do not microwave plastics (even if the product is microwave safe). Switch to glass, ceramic,

silicone, stainless steel or bamboo instead of plastic containers.

Purchase cosmetics that are free of phthalates and fragrance (avoiding the ingredients PEG

and -eth).

Look at the recycling number inside the chasing arrow on the bottom of containers. BPA and

phthalates free containers are marked with #1, #2, #4, and #5. Polyvinylchloride (PVC) is

numbered with the #3 and should be avoided.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

BPA has been in news headlines in the most recent years posing a concern for parents. Recently, Canada

became the first country to declare BPA as toxic.

What is BPA? Bisphenol-A, or BPA, is a compound commonly used in the making of polycarbonate (PC) plastic and

epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastic is desirable for its tough, heat resistant, and lightweight properties.

Epoxy lining properties are tough, adhesive, formable and chemical resistant, preventing canned goods

from leaking and bacteria from entering.

There has been a lot of research and studies on the effects of BPA exposure. BPA has been found to be

an endocrine disruptor by mimicking estrogen. This can cause cancer, early puberty, obesity, and causes

a range of adverse effects including behavioral, reproductive (including miscarriages and infertility), and

developmental problems.

Who is at risk? BPA poses great danger to women of childbearing age, infants, and children. Those at greatest risk of

BPA exposure are infants and children, because they are taking in a greater amount of fluid and food per

body weight than the average adult. Exposure is also increased due to hand to mouth activity.

BPA is metabolized in the liver by glucuronidation, forming a metabolite which is excreted through

urine. The glucuronidation process becomes well developed when the infant becomes 2 to 3 months of

age. For that reason, it is especially important to eliminate BPA exposure for newborns. If they are

exposed to BPA, they have no way to clear it out of their system, resulting in the concentrations of BPA

to be 11 times higher in a newborn infant than adults given the same weighted-dose.

It has been shown that BPA can enter into an unborn fetus by crossing the placenta of the child bearing

mother. BPA can also be passed on through breast milk.

Where is BPA found? Below are lists of some common items that may contain BPA.

Baby Products

Liquid infant formula cans

Food storage containers

Toys

Baby bottles (plastic)

Other

Paper receipts (Carbon-less paper)

Lining of canned foods

Water bottles 3 or 5 gallon refillable water bottles (typically used in water coolers)

Dental sealants

How can we decrease our exposure to BPA?

Try to avoid plastic altogether. Use stainless steel without a lining or glass instead.

BPA free plastic exists - make sure that baby bottles and refillable water bottles are BPA free.

We offer a selection of BPA free plastic bottles.

Switch to powdered infant formula. Liquid infant formula containers may have a BPA lining.

Look at the recycling number inside the chasing arrow on the bottom of containers. BPA- free

containers are marked with #1, #2, #4, and #5. Polycarbonate is labeled with the #7. The #7 is

also categorized as other which may or may not contain BPA.

Avoid storing or microwaving foods in plastic containers (try to switch to glass containers or BPA

free containers instead)

Avoid canned foods unless they specify that the cans do not have BPA in them. (Check out which

canned foods do not have BPA) Side Note: There is more of a nutritional value when choosing

fresh or frozen foods instead.

Trash receipts and wash hands thoroughly before handling foods.

Reference June 06, 2011 - Posted by BabyGreenThumb.com to Safe Alternatives

A safety guidePolyethylene TerephthalatePlastic #1Health Concerns

High-Density PolyethylenePlastic #2

Polyvinyl ChloridePlastic #3Where is PVC found?

Low-density polyethylenePlastic #4Where is LDPE found?

PolypropylenePlastic #5Where is Polypropylene found?

PolystyrenePlastic #6Where is Polystyrene found?Health Concerns

OTHER (Varies)Plastic #7Where is Polycarbonate found?Health Concerns

Safest ChoicesPhthalatesWhat are phthalates?How do they affect us?Who do they affect?Where are phthalates found?How can we avoid phthalates?

Bisphenol A (BPA)What is BPA?Who is at risk?Where is BPA found?How can we decrease our exposure to BPA?

Reference