Plastics the Ecology Center (2011)

Plastics The Ecology Center (2011) says that besides the fact that plastics create safety problems during production, many chemical additives that give plastic products their desirable properties for performance also have very negative effects on the environment and humans' health. Chemicals can migrate from plastic packaging to the foods that they contain (Ecology Center (2011). Some of the examples of plastics contaminating food have been found with most plastic types -- "including Styrene from polystyrene, plasticizers from PVC, antioxidants from polyethylene, and Acetaldehyde from PET" (2011).

The chemical structure of the migrants and the nature of the packaged food are the factors that control migration (Ecology Center 2011). "In studies cited in Food Additives and Contaminants, LDPE, HDPE, and polypropylene bottles released measurable levels of BHT, Chimassorb 81, Irganox PS 800, Irganix 1976, and Irganox 1010 into their contents of vegetable oil and ethanol" (2011). There was also evidence that showed that acetaldehyde migrated out of PET and into water (2011). Some of the effects of these plastics are quite grave.

PVC, for example, found in plastic wrap, food packaging, among other types of household equipment and containers, can cause birth defects, cancer, genetic changes, ulcers, chronic bronchitis, vision failure, liver dysfunction, skin diseases, and indigestion, to name a few (Ecology Center). DEHP used in creating product packaging and food wrap can cause endocrine disruption, is linked to asthma, and is also linked to reproductive effects (2011).

Polystyrene is used for food containers for meats, fish, yogurt, cheese and seafood as well as for bakery goods can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and is known to cause dizziness in people. It migrates into the food and then is stored in body fat (2011). There are increased rates of lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers for workers who work around polystyrene (2011). Polythelyne, which is used for water and soda bottles, drinking glasses, and is used in chewing gum is thought to be a carcinogen (2011).

Polycarbonate with Bisphenol a (#7) is found in water bottles and scientists have linked very low doses of it to cancers, early onset of puberty, obesity, diabetes, hyperactivity, impaired immune function, among a myriad of other problems (2011). Some of the recommendations that are offered by the Ecology Center (2011) are to buy one's food in glass or metal containers as opposed to plastic ones. Avoiding polycarbonate drinking bottles that contain Bisphenol a is also recommended.

One should not heat food in plastic containers or store any kinds of fatty foods in plastic containers or in plastic wrap (2011). As well as avoiding the plastic containers or wrap for food, the Ecology Center recommends staying away from giving young children plastic toys that they may put in their mouth or plastic teethers (2011). One other recommendation is to avoid all PVC and Styrene products (2011).

Because of the health risks that are now linked to plastics, it is recommended that all individuals replace these plastic containers and plastic wrap, avoid buying them and avoid storing food in them (especially fatty foods, which absorb more.