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Useful info on the safety of plastics

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by Gilles27, Mar 15, 2008.

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  1. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

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    #1 Gilles27, Mar 15, 2008
    My wife gets the Green Guide, which has some interesting articles. The Spring issue talks about the different plastics used as containers and what they're safe/unsafe for. If you look on the bottom, you'll see that triangular logo with a number inside of it (1-7). Based on the composition of the container, some should or shouldn't be used for foods or reheating. They go into detail, but the summary is:

    Safe--1, 2, 4, 5
    Unsafe--3, 6
    Questionable--7

    It's interesting to look around your kitchen and see how much plastic is in use.
     
  2. David_S

    David_S F1 World Champ
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    #2 David_S, Mar 15, 2008
    I don't heat or reheat foods in anything but glass, cast iron (seasoned, or enamel clad), or certain stainless alloys. Won't find anything non-stick in my kitchen either. Heck, I never have any problems with things sticking to cast iron - why would I want to ingest combusted teflon?
     
  3. ADON

    ADON Formula 3

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    #3 ADON, Mar 15, 2008


    Green Guide needs to stick to stories about the most yummy wheat grass smoothies that prevent you from aging, and leave stories about what the numbers and letters mean to those who know what they are talking about and have a brain.


    UNSAFE:

    #3 is PVC (Polyvinyl chloride). I don't know about you, but I don't drink out of, or heat foods up in PVC pipe. PVC is not used at all in any food applications anyways. It's used in commercial construction applications.

    #6 is PS = Styrofoam and plastic disposable cups. I don't know anyone that stores food in styrofoam, and you can't heat anything up in it because it would melt. Same with plastic cups. PE is used mostly for it's thermal application (expanded polystyrene), not for food storage. I would not call a gas station coffee cup "food storage". Other than cups and styrofoam, PE is not used for food applications. Other PE applications are not food related.


    So, their "unsafe" list is just stupid. They need to quit chewing on the lead pencils there at the office. It causes brain defects that retard you're ability to think straight obviously
     
  4. DrStranglove

    DrStranglove FChat Assassin
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    #4 DrStranglove, Mar 15, 2008
    Dumbest list I have ever seen. You did not research this at all did you?


    {edit: ADON you beat me too it bro!}
     
  5. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 UroTrash, Mar 16, 2008
    Thank you for saving me time this morning.
     
  6. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

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    #6 Gilles27, Mar 16, 2008
    No, but vinyl is used on occasion. We were looking at all the containers in our fridge, and one of the strawberry containers was a #3. The point of the list is to show that some containers are safer than others when re-used. Different compositions will leech quicker than others--like your styro containers that so many people use for coffee or soup. Baby bottles are a big one, since most people reheat milk in them plus throw them in the dishwasher a lot. My wife insisted on buying all glass baby bottles 2 years ago and people told her she was making a big deal out of nothing. Now, a lot of reports are starting to show the potential risks of using plastic bottles. It's hardly hippy stuff, depending on what you are using your PVC pipe for.
     
  7. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

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    #7 Gilles27, Mar 16, 2008
    Well, it's produced by National Geographic. As much as I'm sure the plastics industry has our health as their first concern, I'll still take NG's information into consideration

    Styro begins to leech as soon as it heats up considerably. Try something--make coffee and pour a styro cup and a regular cup. Taste the difference after a couple minutes. As far as food storage, have you ever taken leftovers home? Ordered takeout? Lots of styrofoam containers in use. [/quote]
     
  8. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

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    #8 SrfCity, Mar 16, 2008
    Plastics emit toxins regardless. It's a cheap way to package foods and liquids however. That's why you won't hear anything negative about it from the globalist packaged goods companies. Glass is by far the safest way to contain consumables.
     
  9. Newman

    Newman F1 World Champ
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    #9 Newman, Mar 16, 2008
    Anyone who thinks heating food in a plastic container is safe is a fool. My dad is in the plastics business - blow mold forming etc....He told me anytime you heat plastic, it releases a resin so if your food is surrounded by plastic and subjected to heat guess what happens.

    Thanks for bringing it up Gilles27, its a real concern and has links to breast cancer as well.
     

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