The whole truth about plastic utensils. Harm of plastic dishes Harm from a plastic cup for nature

Plastic and plastic are man-made synthetic materials necessary for industrial production and have a fairly low cost. In the modern world, their use is widespread, and the negative impact of plastics on health is not taken seriously, despite the fact that most adults and children are in close contact with the products.

Harm of plastic bottles for the body

Many oncologists say that such popular plastic dishes pose a danger to human health, since when heated, the container intensively produces carcinogenic substances, in particular, bisphenol-A.

Foreign scientists expressed this opinion many years ago. Statistics show that one of the main etiological factors in the occurrence of breast cancer is the use of water from plastic bottles. The harm increases several tens of times if you drink water from such a container left in the sun for a long time.

Doctors recommend drinking water from glass bottles, but plastic is much cheaper, and, therefore, drinks in plastic containers will also have an acceptable price. But in countries where drinks in plastic have been sold for many years, the incidence of oncology is much higher.

Other factors also contribute to the occurrence of cancer - for example, poor ecology, heredity, unhealthy lifestyle, consumption of products with GMOs, etc. However, scientists from Australia conducted an experiment among people who regularly consume drinks from plastic bottles, and the carcinogen bisphenol-A was found in their urine, which increases the risk of developing not only cancer, but also arthritis, diabetes, heart and vascular diseases.

Harm of plastic utensils

Disposable tableware has been in high demand in recent years. It is divided into several types depending on the composition and hazard class.

It is strictly forbidden to heat up in the microwave (which itself, in principle, can) drinks and foods in plastic utensils and plastic bags.

The composition of the plastic is indicated in the form of a special marking, so you can find out what the dishes are made of:

Polyethylene terephthalate. It is used to make cups, bottles, disposable plates. It is extremely harmful and dangerous to heat and reuse this container. Heat above 25 degrees increases the rate of release of carcinogens tenfold.
Polyethylene. It is used to produce bags, bottles, jars with cups. It is also forbidden to expose it to high temperatures due to the intensive release of formaldehyde, a powerful carcinogen.
Polyvinyl chloride. Plastic bottles and cling film are made from it. Do not heat or cool it to avoid the production of phthalates, dioxide and vinyl chloride, which can cause many diseases. It is recommended to avoid contact of such dishes with fatty foods.
Low-pressure polyethylene. Widely used in the production of flexible packaging, oil bottles. When heated, formaldehyde is released.
Polypropylene. It is often used to make cling film, yogurt cups, disposable plates, forks, spoons, lids, baby food bottles, and hot food containers. Such dishes can withstand temperatures up to 100 ° C, but you can’t drink alcohol from it and eat fatty foods. This type is the safest for health.
Polystyrene. These are trays, lunch boxes for food, glasses and other disposable tableware. It is forbidden to warm it, drink hot drinks and alcohol from it. The utensils are used exclusively for chilled food. Styrene produced when heated is one of the aggressive chemicals and leads to the occurrence of diseases of the reproductive system.
A mixture of many plastics. Usually, several materials are used for the production of coolers, etc.

Thus, any plastic utensils are harmful to health to one degree or another, so it is best to reduce their use as much as possible.

Harm to the environment and ecology

Due to the pollution of the planet with plastics and plastics, natural and environmental problems also arise. The negative impact extends to animals, the earth's surface, oceans, seas and rivers:

Plastic is capable of releasing chemicals into the soil, which ends up in groundwater and other water sources. The so-called biodegradable plastic emits methane and tritan, which have a negative impact on global warming.
One of the main components of garbage in the sea is plastic, which decomposes for many years, releasing the carcinogens bisphenol-A and polystyrene. In the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans there are huge garbage patches, sometimes growing to the size of islands.

Researchers have estimated that there are about 300,000 tons of plastic in the oceans.

Plastic pollution poisons and kills animals: they either accidentally eat the plastic or become entangled in it and die. Every year, about 500,000 mammals in the ocean die for this reason, and this figure is growing rapidly.

How to protect yourself from harmful substances

It is worth paying attention to the fact that on any plastic container there is a special code indicating the type of plastic. For example, 2, 4 and 5 indicate its harmlessness. It is commonly used in the production of dairy products, toys, glasses and bottles for children.

It is impossible to completely protect yourself and prevent chemicals from entering the body, but you can try to minimize the harm. For this you should:

limit the use of dishes with dangerous coding;
do not heat drinks and food in plastic containers;
do not reuse plastic utensils;
do not store drinks and food in containers for a long time;
if possible, drink and eat from glassware;
comply with the rules for the operation of plastic;
do not buy disposable products with a bright color and a pungent odor;
for children, use only environmentally friendly or glassware.

In countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, Ireland and China, the use of plastic bottles is strictly prohibited.

To determine which plastic is harmful and which is not? Very simple! According to the marking on the plastic product. The manufacturer is obliged to provide information on what type of plastic the product was made from. On some packages in Russia, you may not find one, which may indicate not only the use of low-quality plastic, but also calls into question the compliance with the standards of the product itself.

The marking should be located on the bottom of the product and is a graphic symbol - a triangle consisting of three arrows, in the middle of which there is a number from 1-7, corresponding to the type of plastic from which the product is made. Under the triangle, the abbreviated name of the plastic is usually written, but it may not be.

PETE (1)

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PET) is a very common thermoplastic, from which most of the disposable beverage containers are produced in Russia. It has increased transmission properties, which means that ultraviolet rays and oxygen can penetrate into the container.

Do not reuse this plastic: heat it, use it for food storage, wash it in hot water or in the dishwasher because this plastic can release toxic chemicals.

HDPE (2)

High density/low pressure polyethylene (HDPE) is a thermoplastic polymer of ethylene. It is used for the production of semi-rigid containers. Easy to recycle, can be reused.

It is considered one of the safest plastics.

PCV (3)

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a colorless plastic, a thermoplastic polymer of vinyl chloride. Very strong and durable. In its production, lead is most often used, but it is not dangerous to humans, since it is in a bound state and is not released into the environment. Separately, about this plastic in our article - in detail about PVC.

This plastic can be dangerous only when burning: it is very toxic. Under normal operating conditions, PVC cannot cause harm.

This plastic is very often used for the production of building materials, in particular windows and doors. More detailed information about this polymer can be obtained in our article "What is PVC".

LDPE (4)

Low-density/high-pressure polyethylene (LDPE) is a thermoplastic polymer of ethylene that differs from HDPE (2) in its production method and characteristics. It is denser and less elastic.

It is considered a safe enough plastic, but not like HDPE (2) or PP (5). Can be reused.

PP (5)

Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer of propylene, a safe and common plastic. Used in particular for the production of plastic food containers.

The safest plastic. Can be used repeatedly and repeatedly.

PS(6)

Polystyrene (PS) is a thermoplastic polymer. It is widely used in the food industry and for the production of household appliances. It is very toxic about burning and in case of violation of the integrity of the product made of this plastic.

Not considered safe plastic. Toxic.

OTHERS (7)

A large group of plastics, which includes all other plastics that are less common than the previous 6. The most harmful plastic in this group is BPA, bisphenol A. But it is often used in the production of low-quality children's toys, pacifiers, bottles, dishes.

Very toxic, very harmful. It is best to avoid using BPA, as it has been proven to be harmful and is banned in many countries.

Simple rules to help minimize the harm of plastic:

Study food packaging carefully. Never buy products packed in PETE (1), PCV (3), LDPE (4), PS(6), OTHER (7) plastic.

Only plastics 2 (HDPE) and 5 (PP) can be used for storage.

Do not reheat food in plastic containers. Do not cook semi-finished products in the disposable packaging in which they are packaged. Plastic can release toxic substances into food.

Do not leave plastic water bottles in the sun or in the heat of PETE (1). Toxic substances may enter the water when heated.

Carefully read what kind of plastic dishes and toys for children are made of, manufacturers often save money and produce them from cheap OTHER plastic (7). The same applies to disposable tableware for adults.

If possible, use natural materials: glass, ceramics, wood, cardboard. Products packaged in this way are more expensive, but then there will be a guarantee that no harmful substances will enter the food.

Unfortunately, very often manufacturers save on packaging materials, using toxic and not at all safe plastic products for our health. The above classification will help you choose plastic products that are safe for children and adults.

PLA is a biodegradable plastic and is safe to work with.
Polycarbonate (PC) is not as safe, there are studies confirming that it can release bisphenol A.

All the "plastic negativity" can make itself felt at any moment. And then in old age you will wonder where all these sores came from. Even worse, if toxic substances affect the health of your offspring. Therefore, do your best to minimize contact with plastic.
Throw away all the plastic utensils you have in your kitchen.
Never leave plastic jars of ice cream or jam on the farm.
Pay special attention to the labels on baby feeding bottles. Containers in which you take the "brakes" to work, try to change as often as possible.
Even the highest quality boxes should not last longer than one month. When buying any plastic product, be sure to smell it. Even the slightest unpleasant smell should make you think about the quality of this product.

Plastic is so deeply “ingrained” into our reality that we simply cannot imagine our existence without it. Think about how many things and objects made from this synthetic material surround us in everyday life. On the other hand, more and more often these days they talk about the dangers of plastic bottles, dishes and other products, both for human health and for the environment. This article talks in detail about plastic, its varieties and labels, as well as the possibilities of recycling plastic products.

What is plastic

The names "plastic" and "plastic" come from the word "plastic". This means that this material is able to form a certain shape as a result of heating and retain it after cooling. The general name "plastics" refers to a number of organic materials based on high-molecular compounds - polymers.

The production of synthetic plastics is based on polymerization and polycondensation reactions of certain substances. It can be benzene, phenol, ethylene or acetylene. The set of mechanical and physical properties of plastics is approximately the same as that of metals (density, hardness, brittleness, heat resistance, etc.).

In general, plastics are characterized by low strength, relatively low density (no more than 1.8 g/cm 3 ), high resistance to moisture, acids and some solvents. When heated, they usually decompose. Plastics are much more brittle than most metals.

A bit of history

Parkesin was obtained by Parkes from cellulose, by treating the latter with nitric acid and a solvent. The revolutionary new substance was nicknamed "ivory". Parkes planned to mass-produce parkesine and established his own company, the Parkesine Company. However, the company quickly went bankrupt, as the quality of its products was not so good.

Commercial use of plastic began only after the Second World War. Mass production of plastic bottles began in the 1960s. Very quickly they gained wild popularity, both among consumers and manufacturers.

Production of plastic products

Today in the world there are many enterprises producing sweet drinks, mineral water and alcohol. All of them, of course, need a huge amount of appropriate plastic containers. How are plastic bottles made? How complex is this manufacturing process?

The raw material for the production of plastic bottles is granulated polyethylene terephthalate (PET for short). The substance is loaded into a special machine (injection molding machine), where a blank (preform) with thick walls and a formed neck is obtained from it. Then it is placed in the desired shape and a steel tube is introduced there. Through it, air is supplied to the preform under high pressure, which evenly distributes the melt along the walls of the mold.

The mold is then cooled down. The final stage is the removal of all defects obtained by the flow of plastic along the cracks of the mold. After that, the finished bottle is removed from the mold and sent for sorting. It is important to note that in the process of manufacturing plastic bottles, about 25% of the products are rejected and recycled.

Another key feature of plastic production is its energy intensity. So, for the manufacture of one thousand plastic bottles, you will need to spend up to 10 kW of electricity.

Harm of plastic bottles

Excessive cheapness and ease of use of plastic turned into other significant problems for mankind. The harm from plastic bottles and other products made from this material is enormous. Moreover, both for the environment and for the health of the human body.

Almost all plastic food containers contain various harmful substances and toxins. The most common are phthalate and bisphenol-A. Through food and drink, they enter the digestive system and are carried by the blood throughout the body. Toxins found in plastic food containers can affect our bodies in the following ways:

Disrupt hormonal balance.
They accumulate in the liver, gradually destroying its cells.
Reduce the defenses of the body's immune system.
Deteriorate the work of the heart and circulatory system.
Provoke the development of cancer cells.

Many people ask: is it possible to store alcoholic beverages (for example, beer or wine) in plastic bottles? The answer is unequivocal: no. Alcohol is an active chemical medium. Alcohol, being in prolonged contact with polymers, begins to interact with them. You yourself will feel the result of such an interaction when you try plastic wine: synthetic “notes” will clearly be present in the drink.

The same thing happens with beer. In plastic bottles, methyl alcohol absorbs all harmful toxins, turning into a real "organic solvent". Plastic containers cause maximum harm to the body when they heat up. So, for example, polystyrene (one of the varieties of plastic) when heated to 35-40 degrees turns, in fact, into poison. By the way, in many European countries you can hardly find beer in plastic for sale.

Thus, alcoholic beverages are best stored in glass or porcelain containers. Plastic bottles for water (still) are relatively harmless and harmless. However, it is strongly not recommended to reuse such a container.

The harm of plastic bottles and packaging containers for humans largely depends on the labeling of the products themselves. It is worth dwelling on this issue in more detail.

Labeling of food grade plastics

Are you ready to go plastic-free just yet? Then learn how to choose products from it with minimal damage to your health. Special labeling of food plastics will help you with this. It has the form of a triangle, consisting of three arrows. The number placed inside it, as well as the letter symbols under the figure, will tell you what type of plastic a particular product was made of.

So, take a plastic container or bottle and inspect it carefully. It must have one of the following signs:

No. 1 PET (or PETE) - polyethylene terephthalate. Relatively harmless. The most common type of plastic used in the filling of soft drinks and liquid products. Recyclable.
No. 2 HDPE (or PE HD) - high density polyethylene. Plastic with a low level of danger, although the possibility of the release of formaldehyde, a substance that provokes genetic disorders and changes in hormonal levels, is not ruled out. It is often used in the manufacture of bags, disposable tableware, containers for milk and dairy products.
No. 3 PVC (or V) - polyvinyl chloride. Technical plastic used in the production of plastic windows, pipes, furniture parts, etc. Not suitable for food use.
No. 4 LDPE - low density polyethylene. Garbage bags, CDs, linoleum are made from this cheap and relatively safe plastic. It is harmless to humans, but causes significant damage to the environment.
No. 5 PP - polypropylene. Of all, it is considered the safest. It is often used to make children's toys, medical supplies, and food containers.
No. 6 PS - polystyrene. It is used in the production of a wide range of products - meat and vegetable trays, sandwich panels, yogurt cups, etc. May release styrene, which is considered a dangerous carcinogen. Experts recommend minimizing the use of this type of plastic.
No. 7 O (or OTHER) - all others (in particular, polyamide and polycarbonate). With strong heating, they can release bisphenol-A, a rather dangerous substance that provokes hormonal disruptions in the human body.

Plastic and ecology

Plastics are perhaps one of the most controversial materials. On the one hand, it is a very cheap and convenient material that has found wide application in medicine. Every day, plastic products help save thousands of lives, and it's true. But on the other hand, plastic waste has been rapidly polluting our planet in recent decades. Here is a list of seven impressive facts that will help you realize the scale of this environmental problem:

It takes up to 500 years for one piece of plastic to completely decompose.
Up to 40% of all plastic waste is bottles.
When buying water in a plastic bottle, you pay approximately 90% exclusively for the container.
In Europe, only 2.5% of the total mass of plastic is recycled.
In the US, this figure is 27%, and this is still the highest figure in the world.
13 billion plastic bottles are produced in the world every year.
Every year, about 150 tons of various plastic garbage is thrown into the ocean.

"Garbage Islands": realize the scale of pollution

Pay special attention to the last point. In 2014, environmentalists estimated that there were about 270 thousand tons of plastic waste on the surface of the oceans. And in 2017, Dr. Jennifer Lavers discovered that the coast of the uninhabited island of Henderson, located in the Pacific Ocean, is literally littered with garbage. The pollution index here reaches 670 objects per square meter. Both numbers are amazing!

So much plastic debris has accumulated in the oceans that they have already formed several "spots" or islands: two each in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and one more is located in the Indian. The largest of these is the so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch (Eastern Garbage Patch). Sometimes it is also called the "Eastern Garbage Continent".

The Pacific Garbage Patch is located approximately between 35° and 42° north latitude and between 135° and 155° west longitude. It occupies a relatively stable stretch of ocean with an area of 700,000 square kilometers (roughly the size of Turkey). was first discovered in 1988. The whirlpools of the Pacific Current System bring debris and waste from all over the North Pacific Ocean, including the coastal regions of the United States and Japan.

Of course, a garbage patch is not a solid carpet of household waste. According to studies, there is at least 5 mg of whole or partially decomposed plastic per square meter of water surface here. Jellyfish and fish often mistake it for food, confusing it with plankton. Suffer from the plastic pollution of the oceans and birds. So, in the stomachs of dead albatrosses, bottle caps, lighters and other "benefits" of human civilization are often found.

Rejection of plastic and polyethylene: environmental trends of the XXI century

The accumulation of plastic waste in the environment adversely affects the habitat of many animals, contaminates water and soil. Moreover, two things are considered the main enemies of our planet - plastic bottles and disposable plastic bags.

Measures aimed at reducing the plastic pollution of the Earth have long been implemented in various regions and countries. First of all, they are aimed at the collection of plastic bottles, their sorting and recycling, as well as the overall reduction in the consumption of plastic products in the world.

According to environmentalists, every year humanity uses about 4 trillion plastic bags for its domestic needs! As of 2017, about 40 countries of the world have already completely abandoned their production and operation. Among them are states that are quite "advanced" in ecological terms (France, Denmark, Australia, Finland), and, surprisingly, third world countries (for example, Rwanda and Tanzania).

But, one way or another, humanity is not yet ready to completely abandon plastic and polyethylene. Therefore, the centralized reception of plastic bottles (and other waste), as well as their sorting and further processing, plays an extremely important role in each country. For example, in the United States, almost every waste collection point has special containers for collecting plastic products.

Plastic recycling

As mentioned above, the period of complete decomposition of plastic containers can last up to 500 years. It is quite obvious that our planet can turn into one global dump even before it has time to completely “digest” all those deposits of plastic that mankind has already produced.

That is why the industrial processing of products from this material is so important. In addition, PET raw materials can be reused an unlimited number of times. There are also special technologies that make it possible to obtain automotive fuel from plastic raw materials.

But most often plastic is processed into the so-called "granulate". And this process includes several successive stages:

Reception of plastic bottles and other containers, as well as their sorting.
Cleaning PET products from debris and dirt (an extremely important step, because poor-quality removal of dirt and glue from bottles adversely affects the quality of the final product).
The use of crushing equipment and the transformation of plastic into small crumbs.
Re-cleaning (washing) of plastic crumbs from contamination.
Drying and thermal processing of crumbs (agglomeration).
Granulation of the received material to particles of the necessary size.

Necessary equipment

For the first stage of plastic processing (sorting and pressing), it is necessary to have only two units:

Conveyor (or sorting table).
Press machine.

Labels, caps and rings from bottles in this case, as a rule, are removed manually.

Further processing requires a wider range of equipment. This:

Vibrating sieve (removes debris and solid impurities).
Conveyor (sorts raw materials).
Crusher (crushes plastic into small fractions).
Centrifuge (dries the plastic).
Extruder (processes plastic crumb into granulate or other product of a given shape).

The list of optional equipment includes:

dispenser.
Rinsing bath.
Friction screw.
Container for soaking flex.

The minimum cost of one processing line is about 4 million rubles. Domestic equipment is much cheaper (about 1.5 million rubles). However, it is more likely to break down and is less productive. Leading companies in the production of plastic recycling equipment: Herbold, Sorema, Redoma, Shredder.

Finally…

Planet Earth is rapidly becoming polluted with plastic waste. Real garbage islands the size of large states drift in the Ocean. One of the most obvious solutions to this global environmental problem lies in the complex processing of already produced plastic and the complete (or partial) refusal to produce new plastic containers. Many countries of the world are already actively working in this direction.

Garbage fills the planet. Garbage heaps grow near the cities, exuding a stench. In some countries the problem is becoming threatening. For example, in August 2015, there were riots in the Lebanese capital Beirut due to garbage heaps formed in the city. More and more sensitive becomes the seas and oceans.

Plastic pollutes the environment

Plastic bottles into which carbonated drinks are bottled are the misfortune of modern people. A discarded plastic bottle can do a lot of harm. Once in a landfill, plastic mixed with other waste begins to slowly decompose.

Rain moisture reaches the bottom layers of the landfill and mixes with water-soluble compounds found in these layers. Some compounds are poisonous. A poisonous “broth” is formed - a filtrate. The leachate enters underground aquifers, poisoning the ecosystem and causing harm to the environment.

Garbage islands in the ocean

Other plastic bottles take a bizarre journey. Once in a stream or river, they enter the world's oceans. After drifting in the ocean for extended periods, the plastic is attracted to a whirlpool where debris collects in what is known as the Great Pacific Ocean.

This Pacific "garbage swamp" - one of at least five garbage patches discovered by researchers - is formed by waste that has fallen into the ocean from the continents. The other part is thrown by people from ships.

Threat to the marine ecosystem

Under the influence of water, sunlight plastic breaks up into small pieces. This suspension of water and plastic is perceived by fish as food. As a result, plastic gets inside sea creatures. Marine life is dying and passing the plastic they eat up the food chain to the marine animals that eat their bodies.

A civilized way of recycling used plastic containers is recycling at special factories. Here, plastic is formed into blocks, crushed, melted into a homogeneous mass to become a raw material that will be used to manufacture other products.

Scientists around the world are looking for ways to replace plastic with other materials. So, in recent years, they have been carried out based on algae.

The attitude to the problem of household waste disposal shows the real level of people's development. A person is proud of the achievements of scientific and technological progress, the domestication of wild nature. But has man tamed himself, curbed his passions, if he destroys the environment in which he lives?

Garbage threatens the biosphere of the planet more and more. All people need to think about how they handle waste and what they are doing to save the planet from a worsening environmental crisis.

Many families have plastic dishes in everyday life: salad bowls, plates, mugs, etc. are very convenient to use, easy to clean and do not break. But few of us think about the safety of such a comfortable type of dishes and containers in the kitchen as plastic. But they are in contact with the products that are eaten. Housewives always read the composition of products, but very rarely pay attention to the composition and quality of packaging and containers for storing food and drinks.

In this article, we will try to figure out whether food-grade plastic is harmful and whether dishes made from this material pose a health hazard.

Types of plastic

Plastic is a material made on the basis of synthetic or natural macromolecular compounds and is characterized by a wide range of applications. The most common types of plastic are:

PVC,
polyethylene,
polypropylene,
polystyrene
polycarbonate.

All polymers are obtained by polymerization - i.e. "crosslinking" of short molecules of a substance into longer chains. Upon heating, damage, aging, contact with other substances, these chains break and monomers of the main substance enter the air or food.

How long can plastic utensils be used

Absolutely all types of plastics are subject to destruction when:

aging (they break down, releasing decay products)
damage (cracks, scratches)
heating to critical temperatures (see below)
exposure to alkaline detergents
contact with alcohols
contact with fats.

Reusable plastic products for food can be used for their intended purpose no more than 1 year(provided that their integrity is maintained - without cracks and scratches). Disposable tableware should not be stored with food for more than 3-4 hours after packaging, the more used the second time.

How to determine that plastic is aging? It becomes cloudy, absorbs odors, is poorly washed, unpleasant to the touch. These products can no longer be used. Even if there are only a couple of scratches on the plastic, it is no longer suitable for food purposes.

Harm of plastic

Polymers are inert by nature and non-toxic, which is why they are used for the production of dishes - they do not get into food products. But!!!

By itself, pure plastic is brittle and unstable to high and low temperatures. And in order to give it proper properties, stabilizers are added: the plastic becomes stronger, but also more toxic.
Solvents, technological additives and intermediate substances of production and products of chemical decomposition of the polymer, under certain conditions, get into food and have a toxic effect on the body.

Depending on the type of plastic (see table below), certain toxic substances may be released:

Formaldehyde has a carcinogenic, mutagenic and allergenic effect, negatively affects the reproductive system, affects internal organs and the central nervous system (see).
Phthalates - increase systolic pressure, lead to infertility.
Methanol is the most dangerous poison, affects the organs of vision and the central nervous system, causes chronic intoxication.
Vinyl chloride is a neurotropic poison with carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects.
Styrene is a dangerous carcinogen. It has a negative impact on the reproductive system, affects the central and peripheral nervous system, disrupts metabolism and the hematopoietic system.
Bisphenol A - accumulates in the body, causing irreversible changes in the reproductive system, increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as the likelihood of oncology. Causes various complications of pregnancy.
Vinyl chloride - is released during the aging process from a polyvinyl chloride bottle, refers to neurotropic poisons and carcinogens, mutagens and teratogens. When ingested, it turns into chlorepoxyethylene and can provoke the development of cancer of the lungs, brain, liver, lymphatic and hematopoietic systems. The longer the drink bottle is stored (and often this period is 12 months), the more PVC will be in the contents, and the beginning of this migration begins as early as a week after the bottle is filled at the factory.

There is no protective layer in disposable plastic, however, as in reusable plastic - this is a myth that is designed to console our minds. Just a scratch on the dishes can already cause the plastic components to migrate into the food.

Cons of recycled plastic

Another downside is the spread recycling of plastics. In this regard, it is not always possible to identify the composition of the material and the release from it. Therefore, it is so important when buying plastic packaging or products in it to pay attention to the inscription on the bottom - this is a mandatory attribute of certified products. However, not all manufacturers label the goods as expected, and not all goods on the shelves of Russia are certified. Which creates an even bigger problem for the consumer when choosing plastic products.

Some research by scientists on the dangers of plastic

Russian scientists say that certified plastic utensils are absolutely safe, but only if used correctly and replaced in a timely manner.

American researchers claim that the presence of about 80% of "plastic" substances in the human body is the result of the use of building and finishing materials made of plastic, as well as its use in everyday life, and most of all in dishes.

Substance diethylhexyl phthalate, which is used to soften plastics, is associated with an increased risk of:

the development of obesity
cardiovascular disease,
and infertility in boys.

So, children with obesity had an increased level of this substance in the blood. Despite the fact that in the last decade the impact of diethylhexylphthalate on the body of expectant mothers has decreased by about 50%, these risks still exist.

Phthalates:

They lead to an increase in systolic pressure: after a survey of more than 3,000 children who were constantly in contact with plastic products, an increase in the level of phthalates in the urine by 3 times and an increase in blood pressure were found.
During their study, the team looked at data from nearly 800 women and their children. It has been confirmed that if the mother's body was exposed to phthalates in the first trimester of pregnancy, the born boys had a higher risk of developing infertility. Boys may be born with a shorter anogenital distance, which is directly related to infertility and poor sperm quality.
There is no safe level of exposure to phthalates for pregnant women. In order to completely eliminate this substance, one should not only refuse to use plastic dishes in everyday life, but also not use products packed in plastic packaging.
Phthalates will still surround a person - they are in wallpaper, personal care products, medical devices and almost everywhere, but in this form they are less dangerous.

Bisphenol A:

In 2015, scientists from the Saudi Arabian Science Campus conducted a study that proved the harmful effects of bisphenol A on the liver of experimental rats and their offspring. The work focuses on the fact that the presence of bisphenol A in the body can cause genetic damage to DNA.
Bisphenol A scientists attributed to the "multi-stage" carcinogen, which accumulates in the body and has a negative effect both in the body and in offspring. Empirically, the danger of certain concentrations of a substance was clarified. It turned out that even very low concentrations can lead to harmful effects on the health of a person and his children (see).
Studies that were conducted at several foreign institutes with the participation of the US Environmental Protection Agency showed that out of 204 experimental samples of food products (canned food), 73% of them contained the presence of bisphenol A (extracted from the resins that cover the inner layer of metal cans ). At the moment, alternative coatings are being developed that could replace epoxy resins. But in any case, glass is considered the most environmentally friendly container for preservation.
Australian scientists conducted an experiment - examined the urine of volunteers, including pregnant women and children who drink bottled water (which is sold in large bottles). Bisphenol A was found in 95% of them. Yes, under normal conditions, plastic does not release chemical elements into the water, but if the water is heated even a few degrees above room temperature, the “migration” of chemistry from the plastic into the water begins.

Tritan bottles

Tritan is a heat-resistant transparent polymer developed by the American company Eastman in 2007. Billed as a "healthy, ultra-safe" plastic. Literally immediately after the presentation, a line of baby bottles was released from tritan, which quickly spread throughout the world. Currently, tritan is used by many American companies for the manufacture of industrial products, utensils, including 19-liter bottles for water. The material is in high demand in third world countries, where consumers are more concerned about the price of goods than about their own safety.

Eastman was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, who promotes alternative medicine, including urine therapy. In 2014, chemicals used to make plastics leaked from the facility, polluting water in West Virginia and depriving 300,000 people of drinking water for a month.

The popularity of tritan abroad is more likely due to the lack of alternatives than the sound safety of plastic. Consumers categorically refused to use polycarbonate bottles that emit Bisphenol A, and in the PET container market, demand exceeds supply by 3 times. Companies are forced to buy expensive materials suitable for bottle blowing. Tritan is not seen as a competitor to PET in the US, and companies with access to PET are buying it. Tritan is used only by companies that, due to lack of supply, are unable to purchase PET.

Eastman has repeatedly claimed to have thoroughly tested the safety of Tritan, but the methods used in the studies were not up to business standards. In 2008, Eastman partnered with Sciences International, a science company that lost a high-profile lawsuit. They conducted research for the tobacco industry and misinformed consumers about the side effects of new types of cigarettes for 2 years, which led to several deaths.

Meanwhile, Tritan contains synthetic estrogen triphenyl phosphate, or CHP, which is more harmful than Bisphenol A. But Eastman did not test Tritan as a single element, but split it into several components. CHP was not included in the list of analyzed factors, although it is the most dangerous component of Tritan.

Eastman has done another study involving breast cancer cells, and already the first results were positive for estrogenic activity. The company's researcher released the results for synthetic estrogens as negative, although they were positive. This was told by Michael Denison, professor of toxicology at the University of California at Davis, who evaluated the Eastman Tritan safety report as an independent expert.

In parallel, PlastiPure was also researching tritan, also looking for a safer alternative to polycarbonate. As a result, it was found that the components of tritan are more dangerous to human health than Bisphenol A. Different types of tritan (and there are as many as 5 of them) emit harmful chemicals when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

In 2010, Eastman began marketing campaigns claiming that Tritan did not contain synthetic estrogens. In early 2010, Philips Avent, a leader in baby bottles and non-spill cups, wanted to see if they could do their own research on tritan, but for unknown reasons abandoned the idea. In the same year, Nestlé researched tritan and found extremely harmful leached synthetic estrogen in it, but, in agreement with the manufacturer, did not publish these results.

Today, Eastman is pursuing litigation with independent labs that provide evidence of the dangers of tritan.

Characteristics of the main types of plastic

The table shows:

Comparative characteristics of plastics used for food products, and the potential risks associated with their use - these data do not mean at all that all food in plastic and utensils from it are deadly dangerous, but harm, unfortunately, is not excluded (the probability of which increases many times with improper use or recycling of disposable products) .
Average softening temperature of plastic- this is the temperature at which the destruction of the polymer begins and the active release of toxic substances into food and air.
The digital designation is in a triangle of arrows- it should be sought at the bottom.

Name	Designation, softening point	Where is used	What might stand out
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET, number 1) The most environmentally friendly polymer, but nevertheless, when recycled or misused, it can release harmful substances	from 245 С	Disposable "soft" bottles for water and drinks, oils, sauces, beer, disposable tableware	Phthalates and formaldehyde
Polyethylene of high (HDPE, number 2) and low density (LDPE, number 4) containing melamine-formaldehyde resins	High density polyethylene from 80C low from 60 C	Packaging for dairy products, reusable tableware, baby bottles, food film, food bags	Formaldehyde and methanol, which are released during photoaging (with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light)
Polyvinyl chloride (number 3, PVC)	from 75 C	Disposable bottles and caps for them, food film, containers, but more often - bottles for household chemicals	Vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, bisphenol A
Polypropylene (PP, number 5). Relatively safe and most common. There are high, medium and low pressure, only 1 type is allowed for food packaging.	from 140 С	Jars, containers and food containers, glasses can be colored. Reusable tableware.	Formaldehyde, especially in contact with fatty foods and alcohol
Polystyrene (PS, number 6)	from 90 C	Disposable cups, food packaging trays (similar to Styrofoam), jars for dairy products, forks, spoons, disposable knives, disposable containers	Styrene and formaldehyde
Polycarbonate (PC or PC)	from 220 С	Reusable and disposable bottles, including baby bottles, plastic tableware, plastic parts of pacifiers, the inner layer of metal cans for canned food	Bisphenol A
Melamine (Melsage, Melamine, M). Prohibited for the food industry!	Melamine melts at 350 C.	Dishes that look very similar to porcelain	Formaldehyde
Mixtures of plastics (number 7). This includes polycarbonate, polyamide and other types of plastics.		Water bottles, packaging	Bisphenol A, formaldehyde and others, summing up the negative effect

ABS plastic and San plastic is harmful or not?

These types of plastic not used for food. SAN plastic is a styrene copolymer, the same as ABS plastic. It is a rigid, heat-resistant plastic of several classes, which is mainly used for industrial and domestic purposes, but not for products that come into contact with food and drinks. In the temperature range from -40 C to +80 C, both types of plastic do not change their properties and do not emit chemical elements into the environment. In addition, they withstand short-term heating up to 105 C. But they cannot be used for food products.

Plastik San	ABS plastic
Acrylonitrile is a carcinogen. In case of acute action, it causes irritation of the eyes, upper respiratory tract, and adversely affects the reproductive system. The conditions under which these substances would be released from the plastic is a violation of the specified temperature range. styrene - see above	butadiene - a gas with an unpleasant odor that enters the body through the respiratory system, irritates the mucous membranes and has a narcotic effect. Causes chronic neurasthenia, dermatitis, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and upper respiratory tract. styrene acrylonitrile.

Marking

Plastic, which is used for the production of utensils and products in contact with food (food grade plastic), is subject to certification and undergoes a mandatory examination for compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards.

Manufacturers of food grade plastics are required to label their products accordingly. There is a generally accepted marking of plastic utensils - a fork and a glass. But the crossed-out fork and glass indicate that the product cannot be used for food products.

The product may indicate for which products it is intended (cold, hot, bulk, liquid), where it can be used (in a microwave oven, for freezing, etc.).

Some manufacturers sometimes indicate the temperature range of use.
Marking can be words or icons:
snowflake provides for freezing
wave oven - use in the microwave
dishes under the shower - the possibility of washing in the dishwasher, etc.

Plastic for hot food and microwave

Now there are effective methods of polymerization and purification of plastic, which made it possible to develop heat-resistant types of plastic. On the bottom of such containers is written "for hot products." Such containers are filled with devices for preparing hot drinks, it is often used in public catering.

Plastic labeled "for hot food" and for "microwave oven" are different products:

Only those containers can be used in the microwave oven, which are marked with a “wave oven” icon or signed “for a microwave oven”.
Hot food labeling- this means you can drink hot tea or eat hot soup, but do not cook and reheat in the microwave.

With repeated use of dishes for hot food, an “aging effect” occurs: under the influence of oxygen and heat, long polymer molecules break up into short pieces, which fall into food.

Separately about plastic bottles

A plastic bottle (from soft drinks, dairy products) is a very practical and convenient container, which, as a rule, turns from disposable into reusable in everyday life. It especially often happens that caring mothers pour compote, juice into a bottle of baby water with a convenient nozzle on the neck for drinking. are used repeatedly.

Plastic bottles are mainly made from polyethylene terephthalate, which:

transmits ultraviolet rays

passes oxygen

degrading content quality

And PVC- a polymer that is quite dangerous due to the release of vinyl chloride and bisphenol A.

Are there safe bottles that can be used multiple times?

Yes, these are refillable PET bottles, but nothing but water can be poured into them.

In addition, there is a “home” way to identify dangerous containers: you should press the bottle with your fingernail. If a white streak remains, the plastic may pose a health hazard.

How to use dishes and other plastic products so that they are safe for health

Plastic food utensils are unlikely to make it out of most people's daily routine. It is hygienic, inexpensive, lightweight and comfortable. To prevent harm to health, you should follow the safety rules:

If possible, give up plastic dishes altogether and replace them with ceramic, porcelain or glass ones, especially for children: the safest feeding bottles are made of glass. Yes, they are fragile, but today on sale you can find products in a special silicone sheath that will not break if accidentally dropped.

There is also an environmentally friendly disposable tableware made of cane, bamboo, eggshell, cardboard. It is only safe for health, but also does not litter the environment, but, naturally, is more expensive.

Summing up, we note: when a person develops an oncological disease, hardly anyone understands its causes, and all forces are directed to treatment. Of course, this is correct - every day in the fight against the disease is expensive. But it is important to understand that none of us is immune from cancer. So why increase the likelihood of its development and voluntarily introduce carcinogens into the body? Think about it and do not expose your life to unjustified risk!