reposted from
http://www.childrensenvironment.ca/sources-of-contamination/plastic-containers/

Plastic Containers

It is very difficult to get away from plastic – it is everywhere. While some forms of plastic can be recycled, many cannot be recycled or even reused so they end in a landfill taking up a lot of space.

Plastics can be hard or soft, clear or coloured. Some of the ingredients in certain types of plastics are considered harmful to human health and the environment.

Polycarbonate plastic is a clear hard plastic and it is used in many products including baby bottles, “sippy” cups, and reusable water bottles. One of the ingredients of polycarbonate plastic is bisphenol A (BPA). If polycarbonate plastic is used for food storage, BPA can leach from the plastic to the food or beverage, particularly when the food or beverage is warm or hot. Leaching can also occur when the plastic is scratched or cracked.

BPA is suspected of adversely affecting the hormonal system at low levels of exposure therefore putting the developing fetus, babies and young children at risk.
In animal studies, some of the health effects observed after exposure to BPA include decreased testosterone levels, early onset of puberty, and increased hyperactivity, and aggressiveness. BPA is also found in the epoxy lining of metal food and beverage cans.

Polyvinyl (PVC) is used extensively in plastics. To soften PVC, phthalates are added. Animal studies have indicated that exposure to phthalates can negatively affect the developing reproductive system, among other health effects. This puts the developing fetus, babies and young children at risk.

We can choose wisely and reduce the use of plastic in our lives. This would not only reduce your child’s exposure to the harmful chemicals in plastics but that of the entire family. This is also a positive action for the environment!

The following information would allow you to make more informed decisions when choosing to use plastic or reducing its use.

Plastic – food and beverage storage

Table 1: SAFE types of plastics for food & beverage storage

Table 2: UNSAFE types of plastics for food & beverage storage

Tips & alternatives to reduce the use of plastic

A. Baby bottles & sippy cups

Clear baby bottles and sippy cups can be # 7 PP plastic containing BPA. This chemical can leach into the milk or drink, particularly if the milk or drink is warm. This can be a risk to your child’s health. Baby bottles and sippy cups that are BPA-free are available at many stores. If you are uncertain as to the type of plastic, call the manufacturer using their toll-free telephone number.

Tips:

• Glass baby bottles are good alternatives for all plastic baby bottles. If a plastic bottle is the preferred choice, use # 5.
• Discard all plastic baby bottles or sippy cups if they are damaged – scratches, cracks or they are cloudy. Replace with a # 5 plastic bottle or sippy cup. With a damaged # 7 plastic baby bottle or sippy cup, BPA is more likely to leach from the bottle into the baby formula, milk or drink.
• Do not warm milk/formula in plastic bottles. Heat in another non-plastic container, cool to the required temperature then add the milk/formula to the plastic bottle.

See CHEP’s fact sheet on BPA for further information.

B. Toys

Tips:

• Soft and inflatable vinyl toys, particularly the old ones, would contain phthalates. Do not allow children to mouth or chew these articles. Replace these toys with safer versions.
• Plastic toys should not be made from # 3 PVC or V plastic as they would contain phthalates. Look for safer plastic toys.

See CHEP’s fact sheet on Phthalates for further information.

C. Plastic water bottles

Tips:

• It is preferable to use stainless steel without a plastic liner for a water bottle. If there is a liner, it should be BPA-free.
• If plastic is the choice for the water bottle, use # 5 PP.

D. Food preparation & storage

Tips:

• Cook/warm foods in the microwave in glass or lead-free ceramic containers even if a plastic container is labeled “for use in the microwave”.
• Use a glass lid or plate to cover food in the microwave, not plastic covers or cling wrap.
• Stainless steel, glass or lead-free ceramic are all good choices for food storage but ensure that they were meant for that use.
• Do not add hot foods to plastic containers. Ensure that the plastic is safe for food use. Check the plastic guides in Tables 1 & 2.
• Discard plastic containers when they are scratched, damaged, sticky or cloudy.

E. Serving dishes for food & cutlery

Tips:

• For serving cool food, if plastic is the choice, use # 5 PP. If it is a bio- based plastic, # 7 would be used but packaging would generally indicate that it is bio-based. Discard any plastic food containers that are scratched, damaged, cloudy or sticky.
• When serving hot food, use glass or lead-free ceramic food dishes instead of plastic.
• For cutlery, use stainless steel or #5 PP. Untreated wood cutlery is also available – usually bamboo.

F. Other items – house & clothing

Tips:

• Avoid buying lunch boxes, backpacks, shower curtains, tablecloths, household gloves and other items for the house that contain phthalates. If there is “PVC, “V” or the “3” recycling code on the packaging, phthalates are likely present in these household products. Phthalate-free alternatives are available.
• Check the labels on a raincoat before purchasing it. If the raincoat is made from PVC, choose another safer material.
• Do regular dusting together with vacuuming or moping of floors if there are PVC (vinyl) blinds, vinyl wallpaper and vinyl floors in the home. House dust may contain phthalates from these products.
• There are alternatives to PVC blinds on the market. Metal, wood and fabric blinds are readily available.
• When remodeling, think twice about vinyl floors, there are safer alternatives to vinyl floors.

Resources:

Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health & Environment

Environmental Defense

Healthy Child Healthy World

Healthy Legacy

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy – Food & Health Program (Smart Plastics Guide)

Safer Chemicals Healthy Families