Smart Plastics Guide:
Healthier Food Uses of Plastics
for Parents and Children
By Alan S. Peterson, M.D.
Plastics are widely used to store and package foods and beverages. Uses include disposable and reusable containers, plastic wraps, cutlery, water bottles and baby bottles. Plastic is convenient, lightweight, unbreakable and relatively inexpensive. However, there are both environmental and health risks from the widespread use of plastics.
Environmental problems: Most plastics are made from petroleum, a non-renewable and mostly imported resource. Plastic packaging also creates unnecessary waste. Although plastic is lightweight, it is bulky, so it takes up a large volume of landfill space.
Health risks: Use of plastics in cooking and food storage can carry health risks, especially when hormone-disrupting chemicals from some plastics leach into foods and beverages. Plastic manufacturing and incineration creates air and water pollution and exposes workers to toxic chemicals.
“Bad” plastic containers from a health perspective include those with #’s 3, 6 and 7 labels on them (usually found on the bottom of the container in the triangle).
Remember #’s 1, 2, 4 and 5 are thought to be OK.
Here are the “low downs” on the “bad” plastics for health (especially for children and those that are pregnant):
Three’s are those with PVC plastics. These are found in cling wrap, some plastic squeeze bottles, cooking oil and peanut butter jars, detergent and window cleaner bottles. (Don’t microwave using cling wrap! – It’s best also not to microwave with any plastic containers.) Three’s can cause negative effects on liver, kidney, spleen, bone formation, body weight, and is a possible human carcinogen (cancer causing chemical).
Six’s are polystyrene used in Styrofoam trays, plastic egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, carry-out containers and opaque plastic cutlery. These can be toxic to brain, red cells, liver, kidney, and stomach.
Seven's are found to contain Bisphenol A, which mimics estrogen and can leach from polycarbonate plastic. It can cause early onset of puberty, changes in gender-specific behavior, decreased testosterone, increased prostate size, decreased sperm production, altered immune function, hyperactivity, impaired learning and other behavior changes. Seven's are usually polycarbonates found in baby bottles, 5-gallon water jugs, "sport" water bottles, metal food can liners, clear plastic “sippy” cups, and some clear plastic cutlery.
Safer alternatives for the #7 baby bottles include Evenflo glass or pastel polyethylene plastic, Gerber polypropylene opaque plastic, Medela breast milk polypropylene storage bottles and polyethylene milk storage bags, and disposable bottle systems with polyethylene plastic inserts like Playtex Nurser and Drop-Ins. “Sippy” cups made of polypropylene or polyethylene are thought to be safe (#1, 2, 4, or 5). If it's labeled "Bio-based 7," it's OK though. More of these are coming out as people refuse to buy regular #7.
Remember that baby bottle nipples are made of silicone or latex rubber. Silicone is lighter in color and safer. Latex can leach carcinogenic nitrosamines.
We need to start educating ourselves, especially prenatals (and those with children.) Feel free to copy this and share with those you love!
For more information go to the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy at
www.IATP.ORG. Look in the right-hand column under “Fact Sheets from IATP” for the “Smart Plastics Guide.” Tap on that.
Dr. Peterson is a doctor of Family and Community Medicine at the Walter L. Aument Family Health Center, 317 S. Chestnut St., Quarryville.