85.
Plastic - Everywhere, In Every Thing
Even In Your Food
Plastic has made a lot of things possible in the past century, proving so durable and versatile that people were soon taking
it everywhere with them. In fact, there’s a good chance you have some plastic in you right now.
In addition to creating safety problems during production, many chemical additives that give plastic products desirable performance properties also have negative environmental and human health effects. These effects include:
- Direct toxicity, as in the cases of lead, cadmium, and mercury
- Carcinogens, as in the case of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)
- Endocrine disruption, which can lead to cancers, birth defects, immune system supression and developmental problems in children.
it everywhere with them. In fact, there’s a good chance you have some plastic in you right now.
In addition to creating safety problems during production, many chemical additives that give plastic products desirable performance properties also have negative environmental and human health effects. These effects include:
- Direct toxicity, as in the cases of lead, cadmium, and mercury
- Carcinogens, as in the case of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)
- Endocrine disruption, which can lead to cancers, birth defects, immune system supression and developmental problems in children.
Chemical Migration From Plastic Packaging Into Contents
People are exposed to these chemicals not only during manufacturing, but also by using plastic packages, because some chemicals migrate from the plastic packaging to the foods they contain. Examples of plastics contaminating food have been reported with most plastic types, including Styrene from polystyrene, plasticizers from PVC, antioxidants from polyethylene, and Acetaldehyde from PET.
Among the factors controlling migration are the chemical structure of the migrants and the nature of the packaged food. In studies cited in Food Additives and Contaminants, LDPE, HDPE, and polypropylene bottles released measurable levels of BHT, Chimassorb 81, Irganox PS 800, Irganix 1076, and Irganox 1010 into their contents of vegetable oil and ethanol. Evidence was also found that acetaldehyde migrated out of PET and into water.
Activist groups such as Greenpeace and government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are closely watching some of these chemicals. Unfortunately, no long-term studies have been conducted on the effects of plastic exposure on humans, even though it remains the most widely used packaging material in the world.
Dozens of animal studies conducted in the last few years demonstrate that many of these plasticizers are harmful to pregnant mice and their babies. One plasticizer in particular, bisphenol-A (BPA), is linked to chromosomal (that is, genetic) abnormalities.
Among the factors controlling migration are the chemical structure of the migrants and the nature of the packaged food. In studies cited in Food Additives and Contaminants, LDPE, HDPE, and polypropylene bottles released measurable levels of BHT, Chimassorb 81, Irganox PS 800, Irganix 1076, and Irganox 1010 into their contents of vegetable oil and ethanol. Evidence was also found that acetaldehyde migrated out of PET and into water.
Activist groups such as Greenpeace and government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are closely watching some of these chemicals. Unfortunately, no long-term studies have been conducted on the effects of plastic exposure on humans, even though it remains the most widely used packaging material in the world.
Dozens of animal studies conducted in the last few years demonstrate that many of these plasticizers are harmful to pregnant mice and their babies. One plasticizer in particular, bisphenol-A (BPA), is linked to chromosomal (that is, genetic) abnormalities.
It is by ignorance that people think that by opening factories they will be happy. Why should they open factories? There is no need. There is so much land, and one can produce one's own food grains and eat sumptuously without any factory. Milk is also available without a factory. The factory cannot produce milk or grains. The present scarcity of food in the world is largely due to such factories. When everyone is working in the city to produce nuts and bolts, who will produce food grains? Simple living and high thinking is the solution to economic problems. Therefore the Krishna consciousness movement in engaging devotees in producing their own food and living self-sufficiently so that rascals may see how one can live very peacefully, eat the food grains one has grown oneself, drink milk, and chant Hare Krishna.
~ Srila Prabhupada (Teaching of Queen Kunti, 18: Liberation from Ignorance and Suffering)
According to research reported by Leslie Crawford, exposure to the chemical, which creates hormonal imbalances, resulted in everything from high rates of spontaneous abortions to decreased sperm counts in male mice and early onset of puberty in female mice.
According to Ned Groth, a senior scientist for Consumers Union, in Yonkers, New York, when plastic is exposed to high heat or harsh soaps or when plastics are simply used repeatedly over time they can degrade and make their way into our food.
Polycarbonate is used for clear plastic baby bottles, five-gallon water jugs, clear plastic sippy cups for babies and children, and clear plastic cutlery. Many plastics of this kind contain unknown plastic ingredients that are linked with hormone disruption. According to some experts, all the studies that show plastic is safe for use in the food industry have been conducted by the plastic industry itself. If you are unsure, go with glass containers.
According to Ned Groth, a senior scientist for Consumers Union, in Yonkers, New York, when plastic is exposed to high heat or harsh soaps or when plastics are simply used repeatedly over time they can degrade and make their way into our food.
Polycarbonate is used for clear plastic baby bottles, five-gallon water jugs, clear plastic sippy cups for babies and children, and clear plastic cutlery. Many plastics of this kind contain unknown plastic ingredients that are linked with hormone disruption. According to some experts, all the studies that show plastic is safe for use in the food industry have been conducted by the plastic industry itself. If you are unsure, go with glass containers.
Recommendations
Find alternatives to plastic products whenever possible. Some specific suggestions:
- Buy food in glass or metal containers; avoid polycarbonate drinking bottles.
- Avoid heating food in plastic containers, or storing fatty foods in plastic containers or plastic wrap.
- Do not give young children plastic teethers or toys
- Use natural fiber clothing, bedding and furniture
- Avoid all PVC and Styrene products
- Buy food in glass or metal containers; avoid polycarbonate drinking bottles.
- Avoid heating food in plastic containers, or storing fatty foods in plastic containers or plastic wrap.
- Do not give young children plastic teethers or toys
- Use natural fiber clothing, bedding and furniture
- Avoid all PVC and Styrene products
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control Report, “National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals,” 2001.
Dadd, Debra, Home Safe Home, Penguin Putnam, New York, 1997.
Ecology Center Plastic Task Force Report, Berkeley, CA, 1996.
Goettlich, Paul, “What are Endocrine Disruptors?,” 2001
National Resources Defense Council website, “Endocrine Disruptors FAQ,” 2001.
Centers for Disease Control Report, “National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals,” 2001.
Dadd, Debra, Home Safe Home, Penguin Putnam, New York, 1997.
Ecology Center Plastic Task Force Report, Berkeley, CA, 1996.
Goettlich, Paul, “What are Endocrine Disruptors?,” 2001
National Resources Defense Council website, “Endocrine Disruptors FAQ,” 2001.