Plastic Numbers – why YOU need to know!

Are the plastic numbers important for my health?

If you’ve looked at those little numbers on the bottoms of plastic bottles and containers, and thought they were only there to help the guys who recycle, you’ve been missing out!  Because they can be a great help to you.

The plastic numbers are useful to you in two main areas:

1. Health
2. Recycling (of course you recycle, don’t you?).

What are the health implications of the plastic numbers?

The different types of plastics have different health implications for you and your family.

Plastics #1 and #2 are generally regarded as being safe to use, but at very high (for example, being left in a car on a sunny day) or very low (for example, freezing water to keep things cool) temperatures, there is a risk of leaching, so personally I avoid those scenarios, but for everyday use – stacked in a store, in the fridge or cupboard at home – they’re fine.

Plastic #3 PVC is not so good.  Greenpeace amongst others believe that PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is dangerous and the EPA classified it as a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing agent).   Regulations were imposed to protect factory workers and reduce emissions into the air.   The pro-vinyl lobby say everything’s safe since the regulations were imposed.   It is believed that PVC gives off other gasses and carcinogens while it’s being used, and if a building containing PVC catches fire, the off-gasses are extremely dangerous.    Pro-vinyl lobbyists say it’s only a problem when burnt at the wrong temperatures.  For me personally, as there is no denying that harmful toxins are involved, I’m keen to avoid PVC where possible – but if for example there is already PVC in your home or office, it may cost too much to replace.   PVC is a wonderful material: strong, flexible and reasonably priced, it’s a pity it’s not so safe.

Plastic #4 LDPE is regarded as safe.   I’m a little wary of heating LDPE (LDPE is used in Tupperware ® type containers, for example) due to some reports saying it’s not safe when heated, although this is not conclusive.   But at room temperature it’s fine.

Plastic #5 PP is regarded as safe.  (That’s lucky, as many baby’s bottles are made from it!).

Plastic #6 PS has already been banned in San Francisco and Portland OR. because it contains styrene, a carcinogen.  However, polystyrene is inert at room temperature.  I wouldn’t heat food in it, and it’s used so widely that it’s a real litter problem, but from a purely health point of view, it’s regarded as safe.

Plastic #7 Other (everything else), includes BPA and known carcinogens.  Some food storage containers and baby bottles which resist staining are made of these “other” plastics.  Some Tupperware ® and other products designed to withstand heat are made from #7.   Manufacturers obviously do tests and say their products are safe – because #7 is such a mixed bag, it’s really at your own risk.

OK, so what’s the bottom line on plastics?

Most of them are generally regarded as being safe, except for #3 (PVC) and #7 (Other).  Long-term studies?  Well, most of the studies have been fairly short-term – and plastics haven’t been around in such quantities for that long.   Perhaps “they” will find out it’s been dangerous all along, perhaps “they” won’t.  Plastic is remarkably convenient, and cheap, but I won’t heat or cook anything in it.

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