DANGEROUS TYPE OF PLASTIC AROUND US

Hei guys, don't you realize that there are sooooo many kind of plastics all around us? Some of them are good, and some are not good. Well, if we want our family to be safe from all of those dangerous materials of the plastics around us, let's take a look at these explanation.

There are so many kinds of plastics, ut the one that's well known is that the plastic number 1 until 7 that are acceptable as food packaging materials.

 1. Plastic number 1 (PETE or PET)

Usage: Usually used for plastic bottles are colored clear / transparent / translucent, such as mineral water bottles, juice bottles, and almost any other beverage bottles.

Bottle type PET / PETE is recommended only use ONCE ! Why? If it is too often used, much less used to store warm or even hot water, will result in a layer of polymer on the bottle will melt and release carcinogenic (can cause cancer) in the long term. 

2. Plastic number 2 HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)

Usage: Usually used for milk bottle white milk, Tupperware, gallons of drinking water, folding chairs, and others. HDPE has a much stronger material properties, hard, opaque and more resistant to high temperatures.

Recommendation:
HDPE is a plastic material that is safe for use because of its ability to prevent chemical reaction between the plastic containers made ​​from HDPE with food / beverage packed.
Not the same as PET, HDPE can still be used repeatedly as long as it did not experience heating above 120 degrees Celsius. But the more safe when used only once. 

3. Plastic number 3 PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

This kind of plastic is very difficult to be recycled...

Use: Plastics can be found on the plastic wrap (cling wrap), and bottles. 

Recommendation: So we should look for another alternative food packaging (not marked 3 and V), such as plastics made ​​of polyethylene or natural materials (eg banana leaf).

4. Plastic number 4 LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)

LDPE plastic that is the type of brown plastic (thermoplastic / made ​​from petroleum).

Usage: usually used to place food, plastic packaging, and bottles of soft.

Recommendation:
Plastics can be recycled, either for goods that require flexibility, but strong, and has good resistance to chemical reaction.

Goods made ​​from LDPE are difficult to destroy, but still good for the food because it is difficult to react chemically with foods that are packed with this material.

5. Plastic number 5 PP (Polypropylene)  

Usage: Type PP (POLYPROPYLENE) is the best plastic material selection, especially for the food and drinks like a place to store food, drink bottles and most drink bottles for babies.

Recommendation: Look for the code number 5 when buying goods made ​​from plastic containers to store various foods and beverages.

6. Plastic number 6 (polystyrene)

Use: the PS is usually used as food packaging materials Styrofoam, disposable drinking places, and others.

Recommendation: This material should be avoided, because in addition harmful to brain health, disrupt the hormone estrogen in women that result in reproductive problems, and growth and nervous system, also because this material is difficult to be recycled. If any recycled, this material requires a very long process and long.

7. Plastic number 7 

Other types of plastic To this there are 4 types, namely:

• SAN: Styrene Acrylo Nitrile
• ABS: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
• PC: Polycarbonate
• Nylon

Use of: OTHER can be found at places such as food and drink sports drink bottles, auto parts, household equipment, computers, electronic equipment, and plastic packaging.

SAN and ABS

Usage: Usually found on the mixer bowl, wrapping flasks, dishes, cutlery, coffee filter, and toothbrush, while the ABS is commonly used as pipe material and lego toys.
Recommendation: Plastic with seven types of SAN and ABS is one of the plastic material which is excellent for use in packaging food or beverages. 

 PCUsage: found in plastic baby bottles, toddler cups (sippy cup), polycarbonate drinking bottles, and cans of food and beverage packaging, including cans of infant formula.
Ironically milk bottle is very likely to have the heating process, whether it be for the purpose of sterilization by boiling, heated by microwave, or poured boiling water or hot water
Recommendation: RECOMMENDATIONS NOT USED TO PLACE FOOD OR DRINK.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLASTIC SYMBOLS?

It should be wise in using plastic, especially code 1, 3, 6, and 7 (PC), all have a chemical hazard. Use only disposable (once)!

Will be safe when using plastic with codes 2, 4, 5, and 7 (SAN or ABS)

One more thing to be aware of the use of plastic in the food industry is the contamination of plastic dyes in food. For example, when buying fried on the sidewalk, the seller usually gives fried foods are still hot into bags colored crackle. Apparently this dye bag crackle if exposed to heat, can be broken down, degraded into a toxic radical form of substances hazardous to health in particular can cause cells to grow uncontrollably in diseases such as cancer. Therefore, be careful with the use of colored crackle bag to mengkemas hot food, as well as plastic packaging other food color.

Well, how about your baby's bottle??