~ Plastics: Know The Code ~

"4, 5, 1, 2. All the rest aren't good for you."

We've all heard various reports about what plastics are safe for what. Because plastic is used so much in our society, it's important to know how and when to use it, and what is recyclable.

Remember just because it has the little triangular "recycle" symbol on the bottom does not necessarily mean it can be recycled in your community, or even at all. Check with your local trash hauler or recycling center about what they take, and if they truly recycle it or just dump it.

The biggest concerns right now are with Phthalates. Phthalates are used in PVC plastic, which is used to make the #3 plastics. They have been linked with genital abnormalities in animals that are now among THE MOST COMMON BIRTH DEFECTS IN AMERICAN MALE BABIES.

Another concern is with #7 plastics, Polycarbonate. A substance called "Bisphenol A" seeps out of the #7 plastics when it is heated or exposed to acids. It mimics the effect of estrogen and has been linked to prostate cancer and pre-cancerous tissue in animal studies. Low doses can cause chromosomal abnormalities in human uterine cells. The European Union has banned 3 kinds of phthalates from products for children. Some are also banned in the city of San Francisco. Many manufacturers in the US have voluntarily removed phthalates from their products, including Mattel & Nalgene.

But you do need to watch because they are still out there, and may be lurking in your kitchen cabinets. "Today there are no babies born without measurable levels of phthalates," according to Dr. Shanna Swan of the Center for Reproductive Epidemiology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine.

Here is a guide to the plastic numbers, examples of what they are used for, and if they are safe for food:

#1 PET, PETE Soft drink, water, juice, peanut butter, pickle jars Safe for food
#2 HDPE Milk, water, juice, shampoo, detergent, plastic bags Safe for food
#3 PVC Hard packaging, various containers, PHTHALATES NO FOR FOOD
#4 LDPE Squeeze bottles, garbage bags; shrink wrap Safe for food
#5 PP Yogurt, margarine tubs; take out containers Safe for food
#6 Polystyrene Styrofoam Cups, plates; polystyrene is a neurotoxin NO FOR FOOD
#7 Other Polycarbonate w/Bisphenol A; bottles, sippy cups NO FOR FOOD

Be informed. This is recent research. Keep in mind that plastics are man-made chemicals that are fairly new in the big scheme of things. Use with caution!

Some great alternatives are glass and stainless steel containers. A website I have found immensely helpful is http://www.reusablebags.com.

More to come soon!