Safety of Plastics

So when I first thought about sharing my experience as a Naturopath, freestyle cook and mother via my website here at Well Nourished, I really wanted to create a platform to share the many things that contribute to leading a happy, healthy life. I’m comfortable covering food and nutrition, but I’m pretty keen to leave the rest to the experts – I’ve never set out to do it alone. So I’m really lucky to have psychotherapist Jane Faulkner covering the all important mental and spiritual aspect of health and now accomplished Naturopath and Building Biologist Nicole Bijlsma is on board to share her tips for a healthy home and keeping your environment as safe as possible.

Words by Building Biologist and Naturopath, Nicole Bijlsma

Plastics have infiltrated every part of our kitchen from building materials to containers and cookware. In 1987, Ana Soto and Carlos Sonnenschein at Tufts University in Boston discovered that a chemical leaching from the plastic test tubes caused a rapid growth in breast cancer cells (Soto et al, 1991). This was the first time that scientists became aware of hormone-altering chemicals in plastics. Since then there has been a flood of studies on the adverse health effects of plastics – namely PVC, polycarbonate and polystyrene because they contain the hormone-altering chemicals DEHP, bisphenol-A (BPA) and nonylphenol respectively. These xeno-oestrogens adversely affect the reproductive system with mounting evidence to suggest they could be responsible for early puberty and increased rates of testicular and breast cancer. They are also suspected to play a role in obesity, diabetes and heart disease (Environment California, 2007).

The recycling number at the bottom of the plastic container will inform you of the type of plastic it is made of. Plastic containers and bottles that don’t have a number on them should always be avoided.

Plastics to Always Avoid

# 1 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) is the most commonly used plastic for disposable water bottles, soft drinks and in cleaning products because it is the most recyclable of all the plastics. This plastic degrades rapidly when exposed to heat or when washed and was not designed to be reused. Whilst phthalates or other softening additives are not used in the manufacture of PET, recent reports suggest they may leach into the water causing an oestrogenic like effect (Wagner and Oehlmann, 2009; Pinto and Reali, 2009; Montuori et al, 2008). These phthalates may arise from recycled PET that was previously used for personal care products which embed themselves in the plastic and cannot be eliminated simply by washing the plastic. As such it is not recommended to store food or liquids in this plastic.

#3 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used in a variety of food packaging including some types of cling wrap, storage containers, juice bottles, as well as in water pipes and some toys. It is one of the most toxic of all the plastics as the plasticizers used to make it flexible are phthalates including DEHP (diethylhexyl phthalate) and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP). As a result of their impact on male reproduction, and the fact that they easily leach because they are not chemically bound to the PVC, they are banned for use in toys and cosmetics in the European Union.

#6 Polystyrene (PS) is used in a wide variety of applications from disposable cups, plates, trays and cutlery to take-away containers; yogurt and margarine containers, egg cartons, number plates and so on. There are serious concerns associated with the migration of contaminants into the food or drink such as nonylphenol which is an endocrine disrupter and benzene – known cancer causing agent.

#7 all other types of plastics such as BPA. There are both safe and unsafe plastics that fall into this category. One of the unsafe plastics is polycarbonate (PC) used in plastic baby bottles, drinking water bottles and storage containers because it contains BPA (bisphenol A). Number 7 bottles should be avoided unless you know what type of plastic it is made of and its health impact.
SAFER PLASTICS (remember ALL plastics leach chemicals)

#2 High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a hard plastic commonly used in water bottles, milk cartons, fruit juice bottles, detergents and shampoos, margarine tubs, as well as some toys and shopping bags. HDPE is one of the most recycled plastics and is more stable than most other types of plastics and does not leach endocrine disrupting chemicals into the water.

#4 Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is a soft, flexible plastic used in garbage and grocery bags, squeezable bottles (eg honey), cling films, flexible container lids and some sports water bottles. Unlike HDPE, LDPE is not recyclable and, therefore, creates an environmental concern.

#5 Polypropylene (PP) is used in rigid containers such as ice-cream and yoghurt containers, drinking straws, syrup bottles, diapers, margarine tubs, microwaveable ware, disposable take-away containers, domestic water pipes, some drinking water bottles, as well as disposable cups and plates. Whilst it is suspected to be free from any known hazards, it is not recyclable.

NEVER heat or freeze food or liquids in any plastic containers as it will leach contaminants into the food.

NEXT MONTH – Many of us find comfort in choosing BPA-free plastics. But are they actually as safe as we are lead to believe?  Hint – BPA-free plastics should also be avoided as they are likely to contain bisphenol S monomer which has also been shown to display hormone disrupting effects in animal studies. But more on this next month (sign up to my newsletter so you don’t miss this).

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