Omar Khalid
Plastics are ubiquitous in modern life, from water bottles to food containers and furniture. Plastics are stamped with recycling numbers from 1 to 7, indicating the type of plastic resin used. While recycling is part of the solution to plastic waste, not all plastics are equally recyclable or safe. The worst plastic numbers are generally considered to be 1, 3, 6, and 7, due to their higher toxicity levels and negative impacts on health and the environment. These plastics contain harmful chemicals and additives that can leach into food and beverages, causing various health issues such as endocrine disruption and an increased risk of cancer.
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic Number 1: Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE/PET) is relatively safe but avoid heat
- Plastic Number 3: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is unsafe for cooking/heating
- Plastic Number 6: Polystyrene (Styrofoam) is toxic, especially when heated
- Plastic Number 7: Miscellaneous plastics, often made from BPA, are dangerous
- Plastic Numbers 1, 3, 6, and 7: These plastics should be avoided
Plastic Number 1: Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE/PET) is relatively safe but avoid heat
Plastic Number 1, Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE/PET), is one of the most common thermoplastic polymer resins in the polyester family. It is a clear, strong, stiff plastic with a high strength-to-weight ratio and lightweight properties, making it ideal for food and drink packaging. It is also used in textiles and tennis balls.
PETE/PET is considered relatively safe for human health. It does not contain BPA, is non-toxic, and has been certified as safe by major health and safety organisations worldwide, including the U.S. FDA and the European Food Safety Authority. There have been no known adverse effects associated with PET over several decades of use in food and beverage containers.
However, it is important to keep PETE/PET away from high temperatures. Exposure to hot water around 70°C can deform the plastic and potentially release harmful substances. Therefore, it is recommended not to expose PET containers to high heat and to avoid reusing them.
PETE/PET is recyclable and is known as a ""green" plastic. It can be recycled into new bottles or polyester fibres for clothing, carpets, and other products. Recycling PET helps reduce plastic pollution, as it is challenging to break down naturally and is a significant source of waste in marine and terrestrial environments.
Overall, while Plastic Number 1 is relatively safe for human health, it is essential to avoid exposing it to high temperatures and to recycle it whenever possible to minimise environmental impact.
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Plastic Number 3: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is unsafe for cooking/heating
Plastic is everywhere, from food containers to baby bottles, toys, and crib mattresses. While we can't avoid all man-made chemicals, we can make safer choices by knowing which plastics we're using and what kinds of chemicals they contain.
Plastic Number 3, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), is unsafe for cooking or heating. PVC is a versatile plastic with lots of uses, including food wrap, bottles for cooking oil, shower curtains, inflatable mattresses, and plumbing pipes. However, it is not considered safe for direct contact with food, especially during cooking or heating.
PVC releases plasticizers such as Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and bisphenols, which can negatively affect your health. BPA is a chemical that has been linked to health concerns, and its use in baby bottles and products has been discontinued. However, it is still found in other plastic products, and exposure to it should be limited. Phthalates are softening chemicals that interfere with hormonal development, making them particularly harmful. Additionally, PVC is made of vinyl chloride monomer, which is indirectly a carcinogen and poses severe health risks.
To avoid the dangers of PVC, it is recommended to use food-safe PVC (uPVC), which is produced without these toxic chemicals and is easily recycled and reused. When using plastic containers for food storage, it is crucial to check the plastic number or resin identification code, usually found at the bottom, to ensure it is safe for food and avoid numbers 3 and 6.
Safer alternatives for food storage include glass, stainless steel, silicone, and ceramic containers, which are toxin-free and have excellent heat resistance. Some plastics like HDPE, LDPE, and PP are also considered safe for food storage, while others like polystyrene should be avoided due to their potential to leak toxic chemicals when heated.
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Plastic Number 6: Polystyrene (Styrofoam) is toxic, especially when heated
Plastic is everywhere, from food containers to children's toys, and it's important to know which types are safe and which are dangerous. Plastics are classified into seven groups, designated by a number, which can be found on the bottom, side, or top of the plastic item.
Plastic Number 6, also known as Polystyrene or Styrofoam, is a synthetic polymer that can be solid or foamed. It is lightweight, inexpensive, and has good insulation properties, making it a popular choice for various applications. Polystyrene is widely used in different industries and products, including food containers, packaging materials, CD and DVD cases, medical supplies, and insulation materials.
However, polystyrene is considered toxic, especially when heated. Under high temperatures, polystyrene may decompose and release styrene monomer, which can potentially impact the human nervous and immune systems. Prolonged exposure to styrene has been linked to potential health hazards, and it has been classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Therefore, it is important to avoid using polystyrene containers for heating or cooking food, especially in the microwave.
Additionally, polystyrene has a significant negative impact on the environment. It is non-biodegradable and contributes to plastic pollution, as it is easily carried by wind and water, leading to littering and harm to wildlife. The recycling rate for polystyrene is relatively low, and if incinerated, it can emit harmful air pollutants, exacerbating environmental pollution issues. Sustainable alternatives and improved recycling efforts are necessary to mitigate the environmental footprint of polystyrene.
To reduce potential health risks, it is recommended to avoid using polystyrene containers for heating or cooking food. It is also important to be aware of the potential environmental impact of polystyrene and to dispose of it properly to reduce its negative effects on the environment.
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Plastic Number 7: Miscellaneous plastics, often made from BPA, are dangerous
Plastic is everywhere, from food containers to baby bottles, and it is almost impossible to escape it in the modern consumer world. However, some plastics are safer than others, and it is important to understand the potential harm of the different types of plastics.
Plastics are labelled with recycling codes, ranging from 1 to 7, which indicate the type of plastic and its recyclability. Plastic Number 7, or polycarbonate plastic, is one of the plastic numbers to avoid. These plastics are often made from Bisphenol A (BPA), an industrial chemical used in plastic manufacturing, and added to many commercial products, including food containers, baby bottles, and plastic water bottles.
BPA has been used since the 1960s to create strong and resilient plastics, but it has been found to leach into food and beverages. This is especially true of foods or beverages stored for long periods in containers with BPA, like canned foods or bottled water. Heating BPA-containing plastics can also cause more BPA to leach out, for example, when microwaving food in plastic containers or beverages in plastic cups.
Research suggests that BPA exposure may lead to a number of health problems, as it can interfere with hormonal development and mimic the function of the hormone estrogen. Due to these health concerns, many plastics are now labelled as "BPA-free". However, even if a product is labelled "BPA-free", it may be made with compounds like bisphenol S (BPS), a related chemical that may cause even more damage. Therefore, it is important to reduce exposure to BPA and similar compounds, especially for infants and children, who may be the most vulnerable to the effects.
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Plastic Numbers 1, 3, 6, and 7: These plastics should be avoided
Plastic is everywhere, from food containers to children's toys. While we can't completely avoid all man-made chemicals, we can make safer choices by knowing which plastics we're using and what kinds of chemicals they contain.
Plastics are stamped with a 'recycling' chasing arrows triangle, encompassing an identifying number from 1 to 7. These numbers are key to understanding the specification, manufacture, use and disposal of plastics. Plastic numbers 1, 3, 6, and 7 should be avoided.
Plastic Number 1 refers to polyethylene terephthalate, one of the most commonly used thermoplastic polymer resins. It is also known as PETE or PET plastic and is used in water and beverages bottles, food jars and containers, salad dressing and oil bottles, clothes fibre, and mouthwash bottles. It is relatively safe, but it is important to keep it away from heat to prevent the leaching of carcinogens such as flame retardant antimony trioxide.
Plastic Number 3 refers to Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), a soft and flexible plastic. It is used in clear plastic food wrapping, cooking oil bottles, teething rings, children's toys, and blister packaging. PVC contains phthalates, softening chemicals that interfere with hormonal development. It should not be used for cooking or heating and is rarely accepted by recycling programs.
Plastic Number 6 refers to Polystyrene or Styrofoam, used in disposable containers and foodware. It is also common in packaging, such as packing peanuts. Polystyrene is known to leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, especially when heated in a microwave. It is not widely recycled, with most curbside collection services not accepting it, which is why it accounts for about 35% of US landfill material.
Plastic Number 7 is a miscellaneous category for plastics that don't fit into other codes. Many types of plastic in this category are made from bisphenol A (BPA), a compound linked to serious diseases, including cancer. Even if a product labelled as code 7 claims to be BPA-free, it may still contain dangerous compounds.
While glass or metal containers are recommended over plastic, it is not always possible to avoid plastic entirely. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the potential harm associated with different types of plastics and make informed choices to protect our health and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic numbers 1, 3, 6 and 7 are considered the worst and should be avoided.
Plastic number 1 is polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PETE or PET. It is found in disposable beverage and food containers, bottles, and household cleaning product containers. Although it is relatively safe, it should be kept away from heat to prevent the leaching of carcinogens.
Plastic number 7 is a miscellaneous category that includes any plastic that doesn't fit into other codes. Many types of plastic in this category are made from BPA, which is linked to serious diseases, including cancer. Even products labelled as BPA-free can contain other dangerous compounds.
