Know Your Plastics!
(It's all about the numbers)
(It's all about the numbers)
Whether it's for food storage or to drink out of, it's important to know what the container is made from. So many materials these days are made from plastic, and if you look around your home, I'm sure you will have no problem finding it everywhere. However, the problems start when we begin looking at which chemicals they're leaking into our food, beverages, and other household substances which we then ingest or use on our body. Many plastics contain chemicals that are carcinogenic, disrupt our hormones, and are toxic to the nervous system, and they don't always stay where they're supposed to.
When it comes to plastic safety, it's all about the numbers. There should be a number on the bottom of all plastic containers which denotes what materials were used to make it. Some of these have been shown to be safer than others.
When it comes to plastic safety, it's all about the numbers. There should be a number on the bottom of all plastic containers which denotes what materials were used to make it. Some of these have been shown to be safer than others.
Plastic #1: PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
PET is used to make most bottles for water, soft drinks, sports drinks, juices and containers for condiments, dressings, and other food items. The problem with PET is that it has been shown to leak antimony, which is toxic to the human body. However, more common than the antimony problem is the problem with bacterial build-up. Long storage time on the shelf or being stored in warm areas, like garages, leads to excess bacteria in the container which we then consume. This bacteria can wreak havoc on the careful balance of good bacteria we are supposed to have inside our digestive tract.
Plastic #2: HPDE (High Density Polyethylene)
HDPE is often used for milk and juice containers and, sometimes, water bottles. It is also commonly used in bottles for cleaning supplies and hair care. It has been found to leach estrogenic chemicals into whatever substance it is containing. Excess estrogen in the system is rarely a good thing, and disrupts certain functions of the body as well as increasing the risk for certain cancers.
Plastic #3: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
PVC is commonly used in deli and meat wrapping, children's toys, tablecloths, and many construction materials. This plastic contains pthalates, which are a group of "gender-bending" chemicals due to their ability to block male hormones. They are known to lower sperm count, cause testicular cancer, and have a feminizing effect on males from estrogen dominance.
Plastic #4: LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)
LDPE is commonly used for produce, garbage, and bread bags as well as paper containers and cups. Like HDPE, these have also been found to leak estrogenic chemicals.
Plastic #5: Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene is used in multiple food packaging containers, especially take out meals and the plastics used in the containers or plates at grocery stores for pre-made food. It has a high heat tolerance, and is unlikely to leach chemicals into food or beverages. As with all plastics, however, there is a possibility and some tests have shown that at certain temperatures, toxic chemicals do leak out.
Plastic #6: Polystyrene (PS)
Polystyrene is also known as Styrofoam, and is used to make cups, bowls, plates, take-out containers and more. It leaks styrene into the food, a known carcinogenic as well as a neurotoxin. The warmer Styrofoam gets, the more styrene leaks out. Using Styrofoam for warm beverages or foods is one of the worst ways for your body to store and transport hot food.
Plastic #7: Other
Plastic #7 is used when the material does not fit into any of the above categories. While it's hard to say exactly what chemicals have been used, there is a good chance that it contains BPA or BPS. Both of these are endocrine disrupters, meaning they interfere with your body's hormones. These hormones are essential for regulating metabolism, temperature, mood, healing, growth and development, as well as sexual function and reproduction.
Plastics #2, #4, and #5 are the "safest" for human consumption. My recommendation is to avoid all plastics when possible and replace instead with reusable glass water bottles and containers. However, if you are going to use a plastic, these three are your best bet. Also, try to never heat plastic up or put hot foods into plastic containers. The lower the temperature, the less likely the material will leak any harmful chemicals into the food or drink it's containing.
yours in health,
dr. samantha boldt
LDPE is commonly used for produce, garbage, and bread bags as well as paper containers and cups. Like HDPE, these have also been found to leak estrogenic chemicals.
Plastic #5: Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene is used in multiple food packaging containers, especially take out meals and the plastics used in the containers or plates at grocery stores for pre-made food. It has a high heat tolerance, and is unlikely to leach chemicals into food or beverages. As with all plastics, however, there is a possibility and some tests have shown that at certain temperatures, toxic chemicals do leak out.
Plastic #6: Polystyrene (PS)
Polystyrene is also known as Styrofoam, and is used to make cups, bowls, plates, take-out containers and more. It leaks styrene into the food, a known carcinogenic as well as a neurotoxin. The warmer Styrofoam gets, the more styrene leaks out. Using Styrofoam for warm beverages or foods is one of the worst ways for your body to store and transport hot food.
Plastic #7: Other
Plastic #7 is used when the material does not fit into any of the above categories. While it's hard to say exactly what chemicals have been used, there is a good chance that it contains BPA or BPS. Both of these are endocrine disrupters, meaning they interfere with your body's hormones. These hormones are essential for regulating metabolism, temperature, mood, healing, growth and development, as well as sexual function and reproduction.
Plastics #2, #4, and #5 are the "safest" for human consumption. My recommendation is to avoid all plastics when possible and replace instead with reusable glass water bottles and containers. However, if you are going to use a plastic, these three are your best bet. Also, try to never heat plastic up or put hot foods into plastic containers. The lower the temperature, the less likely the material will leak any harmful chemicals into the food or drink it's containing.
yours in health,
dr. samantha boldt
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