Thursday, August 21, 2008

Toxicity of plastics


Just found this too..

The peak, which is very dark in colour is the most environmental-damaging substance.

Note:
  1. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other halogenated plastics
  2. Polyurethane (PU), Polystyrene (PS), Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), Polycarbonate (PC)
  3. Polyethylene-terephthalate (PET)
  4. Polyolefins (PE,PP, etc.)
  5. Biobased Polymers (Bioplastics)
Which is the worst type? PVC plastic (vinyl) is the worst for both our health and for the environment because it is produced using chlorine, and it releases dioxins throughout its lifetime. Dioxin is cancer causing and is one of the most toxic chemical ever produced. It is very sad to say that the EPA suggests that there is no safe level of dioxin exposure. Also, dioxin is linked to cancer.

Some chemicals such as phthalates are added during the production of PVC as it is hard and cannot be utilised. This can hazardously harm our health when these chemicals leak out very easily from PVCs. Therefore, when young, immunocompromised children suck or bite these plastics (ie toys), they are also indirectly ingesting the harmful chemicals.

So, do take care!

Plastics- ReCyCLe please!!

Recently, I bought two Tupperware water tumblers for my brother and me. In fact, I wanted to buy it for such a long time already but I only managed to recently, after agreeing to joining the line. Prefer it because of its Lifetime Warranty. Anyway, my friend (a researcher) had been telling me about this recycling logo under every plastic ware that you can find- trust me, you might want to know what these logos are with numbers in it.

My friend told me that the higher number, the better is the plastic in maintaining the carbon chain during high or low temperature. It's the best if you could buy plastic containers that is at least numbered 5. Do you know why? Well, the higher is the number, the better is the plastic. The chains that make up the plastic at higher numbers will be stronger and thus, can withstand certain temperatures. Even plastic containers at a lower number (ie no 1) cannot be cooled at a very low temperature because the bonds might be too fragile and break, thus releasing some of the chemical substances into the water stored. This would unfortunately, gulped into our body. The hazardous effects? Cancer is the main concern.

I was looking for more information on this when I came across a few articles that mention about the recycling logos. Check this out!

1 PET (polyethylene terephthalate)– often slightly tinted Soft drinks, water and detergent bottles
2 HDPE (high density polyethylene) Milk, juice, detergents, bleach, shampoo and motor oil bottles, butter tubs and plastic bags
3 PVC (polyvinyl chloride) Food wrap, vegetable oil bottles
4 LDPE (low density polyethylene) Carrier bags and bin liners, coating for milk containers, shrink wrap, dry cleaning bags
5 PP (polypropylene) Microwaveable meal trays, some bags, most bottle tops, some carpets, some food wrappers, yogurt and margarine tubs, drinking straws
6 PS (polystyrene) Throwaway cutlery and containers, coffee cups, egg cartons, meat trays, protective packaging for appliances
7 Other (mixed plastics) No recycling potential (must be landfilled)


Please save our beloved earth and start recycling!