Sofia Martinez
Plastic is everywhere. It's in our bowls, wraps, bottles, and bags used to store food and beverages. But is exposing our food and ourselves to all this plastic safe? Recent studies have found that harmful chemicals can leach into foods from plastic containers, especially when heated or microwaved. These chemicals, such as BPA, BPS, and BPF, have been linked to various health concerns, including neonatal and infant brain and reproductive harm, and childhood obesity. With plastic waste contributing significantly to global heating, pollution, and the presence of microplastics in our environment and food chain, it's essential to reevaluate our plastic usage and explore safer alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic's impact on health | Linked to a long list of health concerns, even at very low levels |
| Plasticizers | Chemicals used to make plastic more flexible and durable |
| Plasticizers in food | Found in 67 grocery store foods and 18 fast foods |
| Plasticizer-free food | No level that scientists have confirmed as safe |
| Plasticizer-safe food | Lower levels are better |
| Plasticizer-contaminated food | Levels can vary dramatically even among similar products |
| Plasticizer-reducing strategies | Avoid plastic food storage containers, especially when heating or storing hot food |
| Plasticizer-containing materials | Vinyl products, shower curtains, flooring, car interiors, clothing |
| Plasticizer-free alternatives | Glass, steel, alternate materials |
| Plasticizer-regulating agencies | FDA, Toxic-Free Future |
| Plasticizer-related health risks | Bisphenols, phthalates, and their substitutes |
| Plasticizer-prone foods | High-fat foods, fast foods |
| Plasticizer-reducing tips | Choose glass or metal containers, avoid heat and microwave, reduce plastic use |
| Plastic compounds | 16,000 plastic chemicals, with 4,200 highly hazardous to health and the environment |
| Plastic contamination | Microplastics and nanoplastics in bottled water, rice, human body tissues, and the environment |
| Plastic-shedding | Plastic containers, food packaging, clothing made from natural fabrics |
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What You'll Learn
- Plasticizers, such as phthalates, are added to plastics to make them more flexible and durable
- Bisphenols, like BPA, are linked to health concerns, especially for infants and young children
- Microplastics are everywhere and hard to avoid, but certain materials and behaviours can reduce exposure
- Plastic food packaging and storage containers can break down when exposed to heat, leaching unknown chemicals into food
- Plastic toys and products for young children may contain harmful chemical contaminants
Plasticizers, such as phthalates, are added to plastics to make them more flexible and durable
Plasticizers are additives used in plastic manufacturing to improve flexibility, durability, and processability. They are also used to make plastics more transparent, elastic, and biocompatible. Plasticizers are most commonly used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to convert it from a hard, rigid plastic into a soft, flexible, and elastic material. The most common plasticizers are phthalates, derived from phthalic acid, which enhance the flexibility and durability of polymer materials.
Phthalates are used to reduce the glass transition temperature of polymers, making them easier to process in different applications. They are also added to concrete and stucco to reduce water usage and improve workability. However, phthalates have come under scrutiny due to potential health and environmental risks, leading to the development of non-phthalate alternatives. Other types of plasticizers include adipates, sebacates, and citrates, which offer different compatibility and performance ranges.
The amount of plasticizer added to PVC affects its hardness or elongation, with at least 15 phr (parts per hundred resin) required to achieve flexibility. Less than this amount can induce antiplasticization, increasing stiffness. Plasticizers can be used alone or in combination to achieve desired properties such as tensile strength, tear strength, and low-temperature flexibility. The choice of plasticizer depends on the specific application and performance requirements, such as temperature ratings and mechanical, thermal, and moisture stability.
Plasticizers are classified as either primary or secondary based on their compatibility with PVC and their volatility, permanence, and efficiency. Primary plasticizers are compatible with PVC, have low volatility, good permanence, and high efficiency. Secondary plasticizers have opposite characteristics, with higher volatility and lower permanence and efficiency. The efficiency of a plasticizer is measured by the amount needed to obtain a certain hardness or elongation, with the most efficient ones being the most solvating and fastest fusing.
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Bisphenols, like BPA, are linked to health concerns, especially for infants and young children
Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a synthetic chemical that has been used in high volumes for decades. It is commonly found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which are used in food and beverage packaging, such as cans, water bottles, and storage containers. Due to its widespread use, BPA can be found in the urine of most adults and has even been detected in amniotic and follicular fluid and infant cord blood samples.
BPA has been linked to a variety of health concerns, including infertility, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure in animal studies. While the evidence of its health effects on humans is inconclusive, some studies suggest that infants and young children are most at risk for BPA's negative effects. Their developing bodies are less efficient at filtering out substances, and they also consume more food per pound of body mass, leading to higher BPA concentrations.
The primary source of BPA exposure in adults is through oral intake from canned food and polycarbonate food containers. For infants, breast milk and polycarbonate feeding bottles are the predominant sources of BPA exposure. As children age, oral exposure from canned foods becomes the primary source of exposure.
Due to concerns about the potential health effects of BPA, the FDA has mandated that baby products no longer be made with BPA. Many manufacturers of water bottles and containers have also voluntarily stopped using BPA. While it is not a banned substance, it has become easier to avoid products that may contain BPA by opting for glass or steel containers instead of plastic.
Overall, while the evidence on the health effects of BPA is mixed, there are valid concerns about its potential impact on infants and young children, making it important to take steps to reduce exposure, especially in vulnerable populations.
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Microplastics are everywhere and hard to avoid, but certain materials and behaviours can reduce exposure
Microplastics are everywhere, and it's true that they are hard to avoid. They are in the air we breathe, our drinking water, and our food. They can be found in food packaging and storage containers, and they can also enter our food during the production process. Even "BPA-free" or "microwave-safe" plastics can break down and release chemicals when exposed to high heat, sunlight, acids, and physical erosion.
While it is challenging to completely avoid microplastics, there are certain materials and behaviours that can help reduce our exposure. One way is to limit the use of plastic food storage containers and opt for glass, stainless steel, or lead-free ceramic containers instead. Glass storage sets like Pyrex are a recommended option as they are plastic-free, leak-proof, and can withstand the freezer, dishwasher, microwave, and oven. It is also advisable to avoid using plastic containers to store hot food or heating them in the microwave, as heat can increase the leaching of chemicals.
Another way to reduce exposure is to limit the consumption of fast food. Tests have found high levels of phthalates and phthalate substitutes in fast food, possibly due to the use of vinyl gloves during food preparation or the higher fat content of these foods. It is also important to limit your use of vinyl products in general, as plasticizers are often a key ingredient in vinyl. Instead, choose alternative materials for items like shower curtains, flooring, car interiors, and clothing.
Additionally, it is recommended to avoid plastic cutting boards as they can be a significant source of microplastics in your diet. Repeated cutting on their surface can dislodge particles that adhere to food. Wooden cutting boards are a better option as they are gentler on knife blades and can last longer when properly maintained.
While individual actions can help reduce microplastic exposure, it is important to recognize that larger policy changes are also needed to address the health risks posed by these substances.
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Plastic food packaging and storage containers can break down when exposed to heat, leaching unknown chemicals into food
Plastic food packaging and storage containers are incredibly common, and it can be challenging to avoid them. However, it is important to be aware that plastics break down over time and when exposed to heat, strong soaps, sunlight, acids, and physical erosion. This breakdown can result in the release of microplastics and chemicals into food and drinks.
The chemicals in plastic may be intentionally added to make the plastic flexible or flame retardant, or they may be contaminants from recycled plastic feedstock. Some of the most common chemicals found in plastic food packaging and containers include bisphenols, such as BPA, and phthalates, which are used as plasticizers to make plastic more flexible and durable. While the human body can eliminate these chemicals, constant exposure means they can build up in the body and have potential health risks.
Research has shown that when exposed to heat, plastic can break down and leach unknown chemicals into food and drinks. This includes heating in the microwave, dishwasher, or oven, as well as exposure to sunlight. Even plastic products labeled microwave-safe or dishwasher-safe can still release small amounts of chemicals or plastic into your food. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid heating food in plastic containers and to choose glass, metal, or ceramic containers instead.
To reduce your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, it is advisable to minimize the use of plastic for food storage and opt for alternative materials such as glass, stainless steel, or lead-free ceramic. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid storing fatty or oily foods in plastic, as many chemicals used in plastic are fat-soluble and more likely to leach into fatty foods.
While it may be challenging to avoid plastic food packaging and containers entirely, being mindful of their potential risks and taking steps to reduce their use can help protect your health and the environment.
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Plastic toys and products for young children may contain harmful chemical contaminants
Research suggests that more than 100 chemicals found in plastic toy materials may pose potential health risks to children. These chemicals can cause long-term health effects, interfering with the hormone system or cognitive development. Some specific examples include mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, and phthalates. Lead, for instance, can impact brain development, while cadmium, found in batteries, is an endocrine disruptor that affects reproductive development. Phthalates, commonly found in plastic, are associated with higher rates of childhood cancer and endocrine disruption.
The challenge for parents lies in avoiding plastic toys containing harmful chemicals. Regulations and labelling schemes vary across regions and countries, and there is a lack of international agreement on banning specific substances from toy materials. While certain groups of chemicals with known harmful properties, such as phthalates, are regulated, the wider range of chemicals found in plastic toys is often not addressed.
To reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, parents can follow recommendations such as reducing the consumption of plastic materials, avoiding soft plastic toys, and ensuring proper ventilation in children's rooms. Additionally, opting for toys made from alternative materials like unpainted wood, cloth, plush fabrics, or paper-based games and puzzles can be a safer choice.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic can get into our food in several ways. Plasticizers, such as phthalates, are added to food packaging and storage containers to make plastic more flexible and durable. These chemicals can leach into food, especially when exposed to heat. Plastic can also break down into microplastics and nanoplastics, which can contaminate our food and drinking water.
The health risks of consuming plastics are not yet fully understood, but some chemicals in plastics, such as BPA, BPS, and BPF, have been linked to neonatal and infant brain and reproductive harm, and childhood obesity. Other potential health concerns include colon cancer, respiratory disease, metabolic function disruption, and endocrine system disruption.
You can reduce your exposure to plastics in food by avoiding plastic food storage containers, especially when storing or heating hot or fatty foods. Choose glass, stainless steel, or lead-free ceramic containers instead. Avoid eating food stored in plastic containers, and opt for food packaged in glass, enamel, or foil.
Alternatives to plastic food packaging include glass, stainless steel, and lead-free ceramic containers. For utensils, choose wood, bamboo, or stainless steel. For drinking water, use a water filter and store it in a glass or stainless steel container.
