Which Plastics Are Dangerous To Our Health

Video: Which Plastics Are Dangerous To Our Health

Video: Which Plastics Are Dangerous To Our Health
Video: The Dangerous Chemicals In Your Plastic Packages 2024, November
Which Plastics Are Dangerous To Our Health
Which Plastics Are Dangerous To Our Health
Anonim

Hardly anyone has not noticed that imperceptibly in recent decades, plastic has become an integral part of our lives. In plastic packaging can now be found not only cosmetics, but any food and drink. All kinds of plates, cups and food boxes are made of plastic. But how safe is this material for us?

Plastics are produced mainly from coal, crude oil and gas. Plastics are polymers (long chains of molecules) that are made in large vessels with catalysts at a special temperature and pressure. Although plastic is difficult to degrade in the environment, it has the ability to wear out and change its structure, and this has an impact on human health. The ingredients from which this material is made more or less pass from the plastic packaging directly into the product inside.

All those plastic cutlery, plates and pads are practical, but should not be used after a year of production, because then they begin to harm our body. Many people have a habit of using disposable plates, cups and forks more than once, but keep in mind that this is a very bad idea and if you do not want to harm yourself, your family and the environment, stop doing it. you do.

One of the most commonly used plastics in the production of food packaging and food storage boxes is polypropylene (5PP). At the moment there is no evidence that it harms human health.

At the same time, there are plastics that do not tolerate high temperatures, and the label of the vessel does not indicate how many degrees it can be used. Polystyrene products (№6 PS) are relatively more durable, but they are also not suitable for too hot liquids and foods. Styrofoam is the white, porous representative of this material. When the containers made of this plastic are heated, they release styrene, which enters the food products.

Plastics
Plastics

Plastic containers are also damaged when cleaned with caustic soda, bleach, ammonia and others. Experts recommend that they not be put in the dishwasher.

Plastic products manufactured by correct manufacturers must have a mark on the bottom, which must inform what plastic the vessel is made of. When it comes to a container in which food and drinks will be placed, it must have a symbol for this - a wine glass and a fork, writes NamamaBg.

Polyethylene (№1 PET) is considered harmless if used once, otherwise it is also toxic. It produces water and non-alcoholic bottles, ketchup packaging and microwave ovens.

High density polyethylene (№2 HDPE) and polypropylene (№5 PP) are considered harmless. The first is a cloudy or white plastic that is used in the production of water bottles, milk, juices, and the second is used to make baby bottles, food boxes and yogurt buckets.

Low density polyethylene (№ 4 LDPE), from which bags and pouches, cups for hot liquids, food foil, etc. are produced. is currently known as safe plastic.

Silicone is also a synthetic plastic and has recently been increasingly used in the household. As it withstands high temperatures (up to 260 degrees), it has become popular in the kitchen to use baking tins from it. There is not enough information about silicone, but at the moment it is defined as safe for our health.

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