Noel John M. Carrasco, M.D., FAAP

Pat Murphy Carrasco, BSN, MFA, CMHT

After recently buying some beverages (juice, nectars) in plastic containers, I reviewed the type of plastic composition they were in. I was quite surprised at what I had learned and I transferred the liquid into glass bottles.

Admittedly plastic food wraps and containers play an important role in protecting us against the dangers of food-born illnesses. They help keep foods fresh, handy and portable. It's also durable and lightweight, but recent studies show that plastics affect both our food and health. Not all plastics are created equal, and some are safer to use than others.

A Closer Look - are plastics permeated with peril?
Plastic chemicals have been shown to alter normal development, biologic function, disrupt normal hormonal activity and may reduce immunity, alter behavior in adults and cause cancers and irreversible organ damage in fetuses and children. The most offensive of these chemicals are bisphenol A (BPA), adipates, phthalates and other plasticizers. Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) found that BPA simulates the action of estrogen when tested in human breast cancer cells. A recent study on the decrease in male rats testosterone from exposure to BPA is significant enough to evaluate the risk in humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention detected BPA in the urine of a majority of the thousands of people it tested in the United States.

Have you ever wondered about those little numbers with the chasing arrows around them, on the bottom of plastic containers? The numbers on the bottom of plastic containers are “resin ID codes” intended for sorting in recycling. It doesn’t mean it is made from recycled plastic.

The following is a translation:
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) 
Products: Soft drink bottles, medicine containers
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) 
Products: Toys, bottles for milk, water, detergent, shampoo, motor oil
Polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC) 
Products: Pipe, meat wrap, cooking oil bottles
Low density polyethylene (LDPE) 
Products: Wrapping films, grocery bags
Polypropylene (PP) 
Products: Syrup bottles, yogurt tubs, diapers
Polystyrene (PS) 
Products: Coffee cups, clam-shell take-out containers
Other (usually polycarbonate) 
Products: Medical storage containers, some Nalgene water bottles.

Some specifics:
The #7 recycling code means other plastics but most, including baby bottles, some sports water bottles, microwave ovenware, the plastic coating for metal cans and eating utensils contain polycarbonate plastic made with BPA (bisphenol A). This chemical, which has estrogenic effects, can leach into the beverages or food contained within the container, which is a good reason to avoid it.

Microwave safe merely means the plastic won’t melt and doesn’t guarantee that chemicals will not leach into food. Professor of reproductive biology at the University of Missouri-Columbia Fredrick vom Saal PhD who studies the effects of chemicals in plastics states, “Many countries, in fact, have banned polycarbonate dishes and cutlery,” and “In Japan, consumer use of polycarbonate continues to plummet” (due to consumer awareness).

To soften #3 PVC plastic into its flexible form, manufacturers add various toxic chemicals known as "plasticizers" (adipates and phthalates) during production. Traces of these chemicals can leak out of PVC when it comes in contact with foods. Remember heat speeds up this chemical migration.

The plastics on many pre-wrapped foods at the grocery shops is usually made up of polyvinyl chloride heavy in plasticizers that cause damage to the liver, kidney, lungs and reproductive systems. This leaching process continues over time, so the longer it is wrapped the more will be leached into your food.

It is wise to unwrap foods bought in plastic and to rewrap them in wax paper, or place in non-plastic containers (glass or ceramic). Cheese is particularly vulnerable since fat increases leaching.

#1 PETE plastic water bottles have been shown to leach antimony into water, but are below drinking standard allowances and considered safe. It's important to remember that for any prolonged period of time leaving water in any plastic bottle allows for chemical leaching to occur.

My advice:
• Avoid products that contain bisphenol A (BPA), #6 polystyrene (
often found in foam containers and cups and sometimes in clear disposable takeout containers, plastic cutlery, and cups. Polystyrene may leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food it comes in contact with. Therefore don’t nuke {heat} drinks in them), #3 polyvinyl chloride {PVC}, or di- (2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA).
• Adopt a one-use and-Toss philosophy.
• Microwave food in glass or ceramic, never in plastic. 

• Once opened, notice the canned products that are lined with plastic and try to avoid them, as they don’t mention whether they contain BPA. 

• For baby bottles change over to those made of glass or opaque pastel-colored #4 or #5 plastic (nontoxic bottles are offered by Gerber and Evenflo). The sippy toddler cups are made from safe #5 and polyethylene #2 plastic and I have no overt concern about them.
• Its fine to freeze food in bags made from polyethylene and polypropylene, plastics that don’t appear to pose health problems. But use non-plastic containers in the refrigerator or in the pantry.

Use plastics wisely and protect both your health and your food.

Wishing you health and wellness,
Dr. C

For further information on plastics visit http://www.ourstolenfuture.com and for 7 Misconceptions about Plastic and Plastic Recycling http://www.ecologycenter.org