We understand together: the harm and benefits of plastic utensils. Harm of plastic utensils

The harm of plastic dishes is quite serious. At present, dishes made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are becoming increasingly popular in Russia. Despite the fact that it costs a penny and looks more or less decent, such utensils carry a significant threat.

Composition of plastic utensils

In the manufacture of, for example, cups, in addition to PVC, they use: polystyrene, referred to as PS or ABS plastic. If you fill such a glass with hot water or a strong drink, then it immediately begins to release a toxic compound - styrene. Inhaling its vapors will lead to a large number of serious and chronic diseases. They adversely affect the performance of the liver and kidneys, the activity of the circulatory and nervous systems. Prolonged exposure to styrene in the human body is fraught with changes in blood composition, acute respiratory diseases of the respiratory tract, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. With frequent use of such a "toxic glass", toxic substances accumulate in the liver and kidneys, which is dangerous for the formation of cirrhosis.

Polypropylene tableware

Dishes made of polypropylene (designation - PP) can withstand temperatures up to + 100 ° C. But if you drink vodka from such a glass, then not only the kidneys and liver will suffer, but also the eyes. But that's not all. The glass also emits formaldehyde and phenol. The first has mutagenic properties, and is also a serious allergen and irritant. The interaction of the body with this gas can lead to cancer of the respiratory tract and many others. dangerous diseases, including leukemia.

As for phenol, it disrupts the functioning of the nervous system. Dust, vapors and phenol solution irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin. Phenol is very quickly absorbed through the skin, and when it enters the body, it begins to affect the brain. Even if the dose of the ingested chemical is minimal, signs of poisoning still appear: headache, consumption, cough, dizziness, fatigue, nausea. Very often, phenol is the cause of cancer.

But the undisputed leader, of course, is polyvinyl chloride, since it is very cheap to manufacture. PVC, in turn, breaks down to form toxic vinyl chloride, which, when ingested, affects the central nervous system, the human skeleton, as well as the heart, connective tissues and brain. In connection with liver poisoning, angiosarcoma appears. Vinyl chloride lowers the immune system and promotes the formation of tumors, has a carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic effect.

Let's take a plastic bottle as an example. She highlights it toxic substance already in one week after it has been filled with content. After one month, several dangerous substances accumulate in it, and, according to oncologists, this is a lot.

Reusing plastic utensils

It often happens that plastic bottles are reused: in the markets they sell milk and sunflower oil, many people use them as buckets and even store spring water in them (however healing properties water can only be stored in glassware).

Be aware that water bottles should not be refilled with anything other than water. Only PET bottles can be reused. PVC bottles release toxic vinyl chloride.

Experts say that plastic bottles remain safe only in the absence of oxygen, as long as the water retains its original chemical composition. But as soon as you open a bottle, water and plastic quickly change their properties.

Labeling of plastic utensils and decoding

Distinguishing dangerous PVC plastic utensils is difficult, but possible. It is enough to look at the bottom. Honest manufacturers mark bottles with a badge, which is a 3 in a triangle, or the letters PVC, which means the abbreviation PVC, and sometimes they simply write V. Unfortunately, dishes with honest inscriptions are rare. As a rule, almost all plastic utensils do not have any intelligible designation. In this case, you can try to guess by the influx on the bottom. It happens in the form of a line or a spear with two ends.

How to test plastic utensils

The most reliable way is still to press your fingernail on the dishes. If a dull white mark has formed on it, then the object is made of polyvinyl chloride, it remains smooth - made of a safe polymer.

In children's plastic dishes, in most cases of Chinese, Polish and Turkish production, salts of heavy metals and a huge amount of melamine compounds are often found, because the water-resistant polymers used in the manufacture of such dishes include melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resins. Using such products made of polymers, MF resins begin to break down and release formaldehyde, a colorless gas with a pungent odor, as can be seen by sniffing the dishes, wetting them with warm water.

But we advise you not to do such experiments, as it is dangerous for your health. Perhaps plastic utensils are nice enough to look at, lightweight, unbreakable, easy to use, but they are a ticking time bomb for you and your entire family.

Plastic utensils are dangerous to use when feeding children

We strongly advise against using disposable forks and spoons when feeding children. Refuse plastic bottles from Coca-Cola, etc., use only special baby bottles. Over time, when the child becomes older, it will be possible to use glassware. Everyone knows that glass can withstand high temperatures without releasing toxic substances.

Many people bring home-cooked food to work. Homemade treats, as usual, are placed in plastic containers that are very popular now. Food is stored in them, and heated in microwave ovens, and eaten. Meanwhile, such use is heating and contact with water and food, there is an excretion and formation toxic substances that enter the body.

Plastic dishes are poison!

Remember that safe dishes are: stainless, cast iron, glass, ceramic (the latter is preferably white, and not bright colored and with a minimum of pattern). Food can also be stored and wrapped in foil.

Now you are aware, and therefore armed! ;) Take care of your health and the health of your loved ones!

Video Harm to plastic utensils

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Canada declares plastic bottles toxic
Canada is the first country in the world to recognize the toxic substance bisphenol A, widely used in the production of plastic bottles and food packaging. Accordingly, baby bottles containing this chemical will be banned.

The decision to designate bisphenol A as toxic stems from reports of the substance's potential hazard to environment and health of people, which had a wide public resonance. It is suspected that the chemical may adversely affect the formation of the reproductive system and disrupt the exchange of certain hormones. Of particular concern was the fact that bisphenol A is often added to the plastic of baby bottles to make it hard and impact resistant.

Other countries do not yet share the opinion of Canadian authorities on the toxicity of bisphenol A. In the US and the European Union, this substance is considered quite safe, since the amounts ingested from plastic bottles and food packaging are too small to pose a health hazard.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used in the manufacture of plastic bottles. In high concentrations, the effect of this compound is comparable to the female sex hormones estrogen. Initial studies by British scientists showed that the presence of BPA in the human body can lead to the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Subsequent experiments led to more restrained conclusions. So, for example, the content of BPA in the manufacture of plastic bottles turned out to be significantly lower. dangerous value. It is not able to accumulate in the body, as it is excreted during the day. It has been proven that in liver diseases and obesity, the content of BPA in the body is also increased and this phenomenon cannot be associated with the use of plastic containers. The connection with the occurrence of oncological diseases, strokes, arthritis could not be proved at all.

In Germany, a number of studies were also conducted on the topic of the harm of plastic bottles. A substance resembling the female sex hormone, namely 17 beta-estradiol, was found in mineral water, which was both in plastic and glass containers. Yes, the percentage turned out to be different, but at the same time it never exceeded the level at which it would be worth talking about serious harm. The harm of plastic bottles is significant only in one case - if you decide to burn them and breathe in this smoke. In this smoke there will be bezvreda dioxins that can accumulate in the body, causing mutations, contributing to cancer, cause deformities in babies in the womb, and can even kill them. Another substance - benzopyrene can also have a carcinogenic effect. But all these horrors cannot happen to you if you only drink mineral water or juices or milk from plastic containers. In order for the negative effect to make itself felt, inhalation of smoke from burned plastic containers is necessary. I can’t say that this article completely reassured me about the dangers of plastic bottles, but it allowed me to take a slightly different look at this situation.

On our own, we add that, nevertheless, not everything is so fabulous with plastic containers, as it might seem after reading. There are nuances to be considered. Plastic bottles and other containers are created according to the given parameters and for certain situations when used. For example, in a bottle of milk, it is better not to pour juices or, especially, alcoholic beverages. Also an important factor is the decency of the manufacturer, which can sometimes save on quality and environmental friendliness. Temperature conditions also needs to be taken into account.

Did you know that when heated and in contact with water, plastic releases various harmful toxic compounds that, when they enter the human body, undermine its health, accumulate and cause various diseases.
Scientists say that up to 80% of the poisonous "plastic" substances found in the human body come from:
building and finishing materials - from heaters, waterproofing, wallpaper
household items - from plastic windows, furniture, household appliances
but most of all - from plastic dishes.

From food plastic, various toxic compounds pass directly into products.
The use of plastic utensils is very harmful. Especially harmful is the use of plastic containers that have become fashionable now, as they often go to store and heat food in microwave ovens. It is with this use - heating and contact with water and food, that there is the release and formation of toxic substances and poisons that enter the body. It turns out that we do not directly use poisons, and there are, as it were, no poisons around us, but everything that we touch, under certain conditions, releases poisons.
Technical and food plastics are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene and polycarbonate.
By themselves, polymers are inert and non-toxic, but technological additives, solvents, chemical decomposition products, having got into food, have a toxic effect. This can happen when food is stored or heated. In addition, these materials, subjected to change (aging), emit destruction products.
Polyvinyl chloride is a chlorine-based polymer. It is distributed throughout the world, tk. extremely cheap. It is used to make bottles for drinks, boxes for cosmetics, containers for household chemicals, disposable tableware. Over time, PVC begins to release a harmful carcinogen - vinyl chloride. From the bottle it gets into the drink, from the plate into food, and with food into our body. The harmful substance from PVC begins to be released a week after the contents have been poured into it. A month later, several milligrams of vinyl chloride accumulate in mineral water (oncologists believe that this is a lot). Often, plastic bottles are reused: tea or other drinks are poured into them, even alcoholic ones. They sell milk and sunflower oil in the markets. Large bottles are used as buckets and even store "living" and "holy" water in it (the healing properties of water can only be preserved in glass containers).
BOTTLED WATER IS DEADLY
We are used to drinking from plastic bottles so much that we don’t even think about the dangers of such containers. The water itself, which eggplants are filled with, may not contain any harmful impurities. Although there is evidence that some manufacturers "enrich" it not with minerals, but with pharmaceutical preservatives.
Australian scientists conducted an experiment and found bisphenol-A in 95% of the volunteers studied. Moreover, the number of subjects included children and pregnant women. This substance got into the urine, most likely from bottled water. Under normal storage conditions, plastic does not exchange chemical elements with water. When heated even slightly above room temperature, the active movement of toxic molecules from a plastic bottle into the liquid with which it is filled begins. It is clear that in the heat of more than 30 degrees, such water becomes poisoned, including bisphenol-A. This component has a negative effect on thyroid gland, CNS, provokes the inability to have children, hypertension, obesity and diabetes.
In our country, there is another significant danger - the reuse of eggplants. Some even pour into them hot water others are used repeatedly. This certainly increases the risk of chronic intoxication. Experts also note the significant cost of such water, which is hundreds of times higher than tap water. They advise it is better to spend this money on a quality water filter.
Water bottles should not be refilled with anything other than water. Only PET bottles can be reused. PVC bottles release toxic vinyl chloride. Experts believe that bottle plastic remains neutral only in the absence of oxygen, as long as the water retains its original chemical composition. As soon as the bottle is opened, water and plastic quickly change their properties.
Conscientious manufacturers put an icon at the bottom of dangerous bottles - a three in a triangle, or PVC, i.e. PVC. Harmful capacity can also be recognized by the influx on the bottom. It comes in the form of a line or a spear at both ends. If you press the bottle with your fingernail, a whitish scar forms on the dangerous one. A "correct" (relatively correct) bottle remains smooth.

MELAMINE WARE
Using dishes made of melamine (formaldehyde) is extremely dangerous. For the strength of dishes - asbestos is added to it. And asbestos is banned even in construction, let alone in dishes. Formaldehyde and asbestos are very harmful and can cause cancer. The drawing on such a plate is also harmful. A harmless dye cannot be applied to melamine - it will not hold. Therefore, paints containing heavy metals, primarily lead, are used.
Food in such dishes becomes poisonous (when heated, harmful substances-carcinogens are formed). Just a few times warming up soup in such a dish, you can earn a cancerous tumor.

Animal studies were conducted: some were fed for 2 months from porcelain dishes, and others from bright plastic. In the latter, a change in the composition of the blood was observed, which often leads to neoplasms.
Together with food, formaldehyde enters the body - a poison that adversely affects many vital organs, up to their failure. This even affects offspring (future children are born with various deviations, will lag behind in development).
The dishes come from Turkey, Jordan and China - for Russian market it is painted with scenes from “our life”. At home, manufacturers do not risk selling such dishes.
And in Europe, melamine is not favored, some countries write on the label: in the EEC, it is impossible, for export - please. This is how foreign manufacturers and sellers take care of the health of their citizens.

BEFORE YOU BUY SUCH WARE, THINK - IS IT WORTH RISKING YOUR HEALTH!?
Disposable cups can only be used for water. It is better not to drink sour juices, sodas, hot and strong drinks from them! It is not recommended to put hot food in polystyrene plates. Polystyrene (indicated by the letters PS) is indifferent to cold liquids. But when heated, the glass begins to release a toxic compound (styrene).
Product manufacturers fast food also often use polystyrene packaging (cup, bag, bowl). And when it comes into contact with hot water, it begins to release harmful styrenes. Plates made of polystyrene are also used in summer cafes and canteens. In addition to the already not very healthy hot lunch, you can also get a dose of toxins.
Foods high in sugar and fat should not be cooked in plastic containers. They are heated to the melting point and deformation of the plastic. It is better to cook them in glassware that can withstand heating up to 140, 180 or more C.
Frozen ready-to-eat meals in reheatable trays may lose proper heat resistance when deep chilled (some brands).
Plastic utensils - used mainly for storing food (cheese, butter) or ready meals. You can't cook in it. Do not store in plastic containers sour foods, cabbage, pickle cucumbers and other vegetables. Wash with hot water too.

Canada has already listed bisphenol-A, which is used in plastic bottles, dental fillings, CDs and other everyday items, as a toxic substance. “Our science has proven that BPA can harm both human health and the environment, and we are the first country (in the world) to take strong action for Canadians,” Canadian Health Minister Leona Aglukkak said in a statement. Concerns about the harm of BPA were raised as early as 2008. Then Canadian scientists announced a possible connection between the presence of a substance in plastic dishes with a change in behavior, the risks of prostate and breast cancer, and changes in the brain.

According to Russian standards, bisphenol-A belongs to the class of moderately hazardous substances.
Some argue: if you do not exceed the permissible level chemical substances, there will be no harm. You need to eat more than 2 kg of canned food per day to get closer to the maximum allowable dose. Others insist: the more chemicals a person consumes, the more it destroys the body ... Plastic entered our lives 30 years ago. Now the first truly “plastic” generation is growing, and to draw conclusions about the effect of plastic on the body, you need to observe at least five generations ...

Stop poisoning yourself!

PVC (polyvinyl chloride material or just vinyl) is today the cheapest, and therefore the most common, type of plastic. PVC is mainly used in construction areas (building cladding, plastic windows, wall panels, pipes, etc.) and less than 20% of products made from this type of plastic are used in household and other areas of life. Moreover, in Russia this figure is almost 50%, while in Europe they try to refuse this type of plastic as much as possible. Why is this happening? After all, the advantages of PVC are obvious: cheapness, practicality, strength ...

In Europe, the name has long been fixed for PVC "poison plastic" (poison plastic). The harm of polyvinyl chloride for surrounding nature and human health is huge: it not only contains many dangerous components, but also releases poisonous gas when heated or burned.

Unfortunately the material polyvinyl chloride - a very common type of plastic. It can be found everywhere. This includes linoleum in the apartment, plastic windows, stretch ceilings, vinyl wallpaper, and plastic toys (from dental rings that kids put in their mouths to dolls), and different types of packaging (bags, bottles, food containers).

When buying PVC products, you should remember:

To make polyvinyl chloride elastic, plasticizers are added to it, which, when entering the body, reduce its immune properties, and can also cause damage to the kidneys and liver, cause infertility and cancer. This is the main harm of PVC. In addition, PVC may contain other hazardous elements: chromium, cadmium, lead, etc.

The advantages of PVC are absolutely incomparable with the danger posed by burning polyvinyl chloride material. During combustion, up to 50 mg of harmful dioxins are formed from 1 kg of polyvinyl chloride. This amount can cause cancerous tumors in approximately 50,000 small laboratory animals.

Safe technology PVC recycling, as well as the production of PVC products, does not exist. Polyvinyl chloride material is not recyclable, and the highly toxic dioxins released during the disposal of products made from this plastic spread over thousands of kilometers.

The production of PVC products carries no less danger to the environment. The harm of plastic windows, for example, lies in the fact that 20 g of toxic waste is generated during the manufacture of one window. A complete apartment renovation using polyvinyl chloride generates about 1 kg of toxic waste.

How to identify PVC products?

In countries that follow environmental situation and give preference to safe materials, it is customary to mark the types of plastic - put an icon with a number surrounded by arrows. In Russia, the labeling of plastic products is not yet mandatory, which means that all plastic products have such a label, but it is also useful for us to know what this or that sign means.

1. PETE or PET (polyethylene terphthalate) - a type of plastic that is used in the manufacture of bottles, boxes, cans and other packaging for bottling water, juices and soft drinks. This material is also used in packaging for powders and bulk food products. Polyethylene terphthalate is one of the most common and safest types of plastic. In addition, it is highly recyclable.

2. HDPE or LDPE (high pressure polyethylene). This type of plastic is used in the manufacture of bags and mugs for water or milk, bottles for shampoos, bleaches, cleaners and detergents, canisters for machine oils. It is considered a safe type of plastic, lends itself well to recycling and recycling.

3. PVC or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) belongs to one of the most dangerous types of plastic. We are talking about him today. It is used for the packaging of cleaning liquids, the production of windows, pipes, wall and floor coverings, garden furniture, stretch ceiling films, oilcloths, blinds, bathroom screens, etc. Food containers and children's toys can also be made from it. However, the harm from PVC is quite large, because it contains heavy metals and plasticizers, which can cause damage to the kidneys and liver, infertility, and cancer. At the same time, it is difficult to process, and when burned, it releases dangerous poisons into the air - carcinogenic dioxides. If possible, it is better to abandon this type of plastic or reduce its use to a minimum.

4. LDPE or HDPE (low pressure polyethylene) - a type of plastic that is used to make plastic bottles and other flexible plastic packaging. Thanks to this material, we have plastic bags. This kind of polyethylene is also a safe plastic.

5. PP or PP (polypropylene) far from the most durable type of plastic, but absolutely harmless to the environment and human health. Polypropylene is mainly used for lids, discs, yogurt cups, syrup and ketchup bottles. This plastic is also used for the manufacture of children's products: toys, feeding bottles, etc.

6. PS or PS (polystyrene) - a type of plastic resulting from the polymerization of carcinogenic styrene. Hence its harmful effect. And although polystyrene is often used to make dishes, cutlery, egg containers or meat trays, it is better to refuse such products.

7. OTHER or OTHER. This category includes polymers blends of various plastics not listed above. For example, polycarbonate dangerous view plastic, which, with frequent heating or washing, releases a substance that causes hormonal disorders in the human body. But harmless environmentally friendly plastics can also be marked with this figure.

Plastic bottles, containers and utensils have firmly entered our everyday life. But simultaneously with “plasticization”, there are more and more reports about the danger that this material is fraught with: under certain conditions, it releases toxic compounds that, when they enter the human body, gradually undermine his health.

American scientists claim that up to 80% of the “plastic” substances found in the human body get there from building and finishing materials, in particular, from such popular plastic windows, furniture, but most of all from utensils: all kinds of compounds pass from food plastic into products nutrition. Domestic manufacturers, in turn, assure that certified plastic utensils are absolutely safe. True, they make a reservation: if you use it for its intended purpose.

The most common polymer materials (or plastics) are polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polycarbonate. They produce both technical and food plastics. The polymers themselves are inert, non-toxic and do not "migrate" into food. But here are the intermediate substances, technological additives, solvents, as well as chemical decomposition products that can penetrate into food and have a toxic effect on humans.

This process can occur during storage of products or when they are heated. In addition, polymeric materials are subject to change (aging), as a result of which degradation products are released from them. And different kinds plastics become toxic various conditions- some cannot be heated, others can not be washed, etc.

Dangerous fragility of plastic

Polyvinyl chloride is a chlorine-based polymer. It is distributed all over the world because it is extremely cheap. It is used to make bottles for drinks, boxes for cosmetics, containers for household chemicals, disposable tableware. Over time, PVC begins to release a harmful substance - vinyl chloride. Naturally, from the bottle it gets into soda, from the plate - into food, and from there - directly into the human body. And vinyl chloride is a carcinogen. Highlight it dangerous substance The PVC bottle starts one week after the contents have been poured into it. A month later, several milligrams of vinyl chloride accumulate in mineral water. From the point of view of oncologists, this is a lot.

Often plastic bottles are reused, tea or fruit drinks and even alcoholic drinks are poured into them. Markets sell milk and butter in plastic bottles. Five-liter bottles have replaced buckets and canisters for summer residents, and advocates of a healthy lifestyle go with them to springs for “living” water and store Epiphany water in them for a year. Experts are unanimous: nothing but water can be refilled into water bottles. And even then not in all. Only PET bottles can be reused. PVC bottles release toxic PVC.

However, many experts are sure that any bottled plastic remains neutral only in the absence of oxygen, that is, as long as the water retains its original chemical composition. As soon as the bottle is opened, the water quickly changes its properties, after which the plastic inevitably changes its properties. As for the "living" and holy water, its healing properties can only be preserved in glass containers.

How to distinguish hazardous PVC products from safe plastic? You need to look at the bottom. Conscientious manufacturers put an icon at the bottom of dangerous bottles - a three in a triangle. Or they write PVC - this is how PVC is designated in English. But there are few such bottles with honest inscriptions. Harmful capacity can also be recognized by the influx on the bottom. It happens in the form of a line or a spear with two ends. But the most the right way- press the bottle with your fingernail. If the container is dangerous, a whitish scar forms on it. The "correct" bottle remains smooth.

Disposable cups can only be used for water. It is better not to drink sour juices, sodas, hot and strong drinks from them! Hot foods are not recommended to be placed in polystyrene plates.

Convenient, practical, but risky

The time for picnics is approaching, and in order to minimize household inconveniences, we stock up on plastic plates. Pour tea from a thermos or alcoholic drinks into plastic cups. Cheap, practical, but not safe.

Disposable plastic utensils cost a penny. But plastic is a delicate material. Cracks in the world. Melts from the heat. For strength, stabilizers are added to it. Plastic is getting stronger and... more toxic.

Polystyrene (indicated by the letters PS) is indifferent to cold liquids. But as soon as you pour a hot or alcoholic drink, a harmless glass begins to release a toxic compound called styrene. Plates made of polystyrene are often used in summer cafes for barbecue. And the client, in addition to hot meat and ketchup, also receives a dose of toxins.

Tin Can Mystery

Any polymer material aging under the influence of light, heat, heating and contact with all kinds of substances. Then it becomes cloudy, absorbs odors and ingredients from the contents and releases toxic substances. Food manufacturers indicate that the shelf life applies not only to the product itself, but also to the packaging. This is especially true for canned goods. For example, they can detect a toxic substance - biphenol. Plastic film containing biphenol is lined on the inside of cans to keep the metal from coming into contact with food. From here, biphenol can pass into the contents. That's why:

• ditch canned food in favor of fresh and frozen foods.
• transfer food from opened cans to glass, even if we are talking about short-term storage (under the influence of oxygen, the corrosion of cans increases sharply and the content of lead and tin in food begins to increase rapidly).

Follow the label

At one time, to simplify the sorting of plastic, a special international marking was developed - triangles formed by arrows with a number inside. The number indicates the type of plastic. Instead of a number or under a triangle at the same time as the number, you can find the letter code of the plastic:

• PET
  Polyethylene terphthalate: bottles for carbonated drinks, water, juice, dairy products, vegetable oils, cosmetic products, etc.
• HDP
  High density polyethylene: packaging bags, garbage bags
• PVC
  Polyvinyl chloride: construction and Decoration Materials, furniture, shoes, medical products, water bottles, food packaging film
• LDP
  Low density polyethylene: detergent bottles, toys, pipes
• PP
  Polypropylene: medical products, hot dishes, food packaging film
• PS
  Polystyrene: disposable tableware, cups for dairy products, yogurt, electrical insulation film
• Other types of plastic: multi-layer packaging or composite plastic

Expert opinion

Nadezhda Tarakanova, technologist at Bytplast
The plastic used for the production of products that come into contact with food and children's assortment is subject to mandatory examination for compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards and is certified. And if the manufacturer declares, for example, that the product is intended for drinking water, then it is checked as a container for drinking water. The manufacturer is required to label his products. Food plastic has a generally accepted label - "glass and fork." It may be written that it is intended for cold, bulk or hot products, for use in microwave oven or for freezing, sometimes a temperature range is indicated. “Snowflakes” indicate that the container is suitable for freezing food, “wave oven” indicates that the dishes can be heated in the microwave, and “shower plates” indicate that the containers can be washed in the dishwasher. This marking is also used by some Russian manufacturers, including us.

Polypropylene glass (marking - PP) can withstand temperatures up to +100°C. But it does not tolerate a chemical attack - it emits formaldehyde or phenol. If you drink vodka from such a glass, not only the kidneys suffer, but also the eyesight. Formaldehyde is also considered a carcinogen.

Disposable packaging - one time only

Buy food, plastic utensils and cling film only from reputable manufacturers and only in reliable stores.

In order for plastic utensils to be safe, they must be used strictly for their intended purpose. Food plastic of different brands has different properties. One brand of this polymer raw material is intended for the production of water bottles, the other is for bottles with carbonated drinks. Yogurt cups are made of plastic of a grade that makes it possible to produce a light and cheap container by casting, while being neutral with respect to milk fat, and pudding cups must resist sugar.

Therefore, experts insist: in no case should you use plastic packaging as containers for storing food, and disposable tableware - repeatedly. How plastic will react to contact with ingredients for which it was not intended, what compounds can be formed in this case, no one has investigated. Especially insidious are fats and acids, which can draw free toxic compounds out of plastic.

There is one more important point. Before secondary use Plastic container must be washed. The disposable packaging was not intended for washing, so the result is unpredictable.

The release of all kinds of compounds from plastic is greatly enhanced by heating. Therefore, only special containers can be used in the microwave oven.

• Store food in glass and ceramic containers.
• Try to avoid plastic-packed products as much as possible, give preference to products by weight.
• Cut off the top layer from food stored in plastic packaging.
• At home, immediately remove the packaging film from the products.
• Buy drinks only in PET bottles and do not reuse them.
• Buy baby food only in glass or cardboard.
• Do not use plastic utensils for baby food.
• Do not microwave food in plastic containers.
• Do not keep water in pitcher filters for a long time. In the morning and evening, replace the remaining water with fresh water.
• A cloudy water pitcher should be thrown away.

Flexible packaging

Mayonnaise, ketchup and other sauces, seasonings, juices, jams, as well as ready-made soups and cereals that require heating, are sold in packages - regular or "standing". Such bags are made from multilayer combined films. The choice of film depends on the properties of the product, the period and conditions of its storage. Soups, cereals, main courses are packed in bags of films with a high melting point. Dishes in such packaging can be heated in the microwave or boiled directly in the bag. But physiologists advise eating them less often: the less chemistry in life, the better.

When purchasing instant products (those that only need to be poured with boiling water), pay attention to the packaging (cup, bag, plate). Although Rospotrebnadzor and certification bodies monitor the safety of materials, nevertheless, manufacturers often use polystyrene packaging. And when it comes into contact with hot water, it begins to release harmful monomers - styrenes. Therefore, it is better to transfer products to ceramic or enameled dishes and then pour boiling water over them.

Frozen ready meals in trays that can be reheated in the microwave or oven are made from crystallized polyethylene terphthalate. Its properties remain unchanged in the range from -40º to +250ºС. True, some brands may lose the necessary heat resistance after they have undergone deep cooling.

Do not use disposable packaging for food storage, and do not reuse disposable tableware. Refrigerate food before placing it in the container. For hot food and microwave oven, use only special utensils.

Small doses - big problems

How to determine acceptable and safe doses of chemicals? The opinions of scientists differ. Some argue: if you do not exceed the permissible level, there will be no harm. You need to eat more than 2 kg of canned food per day to get closer to the maximum allowable dose. Others insist: the more chemicals a person consumes, the more it destroys the body. If there are no symptoms of poisoning, this does not mean that the substance is safe. Toxins can accumulate over the years, undermining health. Even small amounts are poisonous if exposed for a long time.

Plastic entered our lives only 30 years ago. Now the first truly “plastic” generation is growing, while conclusions about the effect of plastic on the body need to be observed for at least five generations.

Discussion

1. Isn't rejuvenated oncology an alarming symptom?
2. Isn't osteoparosis of infants an alarming signal of chemicalization? Or is it from acceleration. Or from the sexual revolution?

07/10/2015 20:26:54, Sergey201246

I read the article in 2013 and was surprised to find that I knew almost nothing of what I read. Now I will be careful and try to protect my loved ones. Many thanks to the authors! And the non-dissemination of information only speaks of its great importance, which is why everything is hidden from people.

12.03.2013 11:48:46, Vasnetsova Irina

Comment on the article "Plastic and food. Safety rules"

Don't use aluminum. All my dishes are either steel or tefal. But recently I bought a Woll, a deep frying pan. Cookware is either steel or cast iron. on dishes ( back side) there are special icons indicating which stoves this cookware is suitable for.

how to wash a shirt collar. kids hairstyles for prom short hair. markings on plastic utensils pp.

Discussion

I do not know the rules, but at our school everything is strictly "according to the law." Six days, every day 5 lessons, one day - 6. Ie. There are 31 lessons per week in total. There are "voluntary-compulsory" electives, but they have the right to put them only in the second half of the day - not earlier than an hour after lunch - i.e. after 2:30 pm I think.

By the way, consider such an important thing. If you have the same lessons on Saturday and Monday, then with a 6-day week on Saturday to Monday homework DO NOT HAVE RIGHT to ask.

Discussion

1. I don’t have such a button, but if I suddenly use tablets, all the same, salt and rinse aid are already loaded into the machine. But I prefer powder.
2. I get almost dry. Moreover, I basically put on a short program without drying, then I open the door for a few minutes and the dishes are almost dry, because. was hot at the end of the program.
3. I bet.
4. In the car.
5. exhaust filter.
6. upright
7. I think yes, I wash plastic dishes without problems
8. to the usual, then home.
9. I wouldn't
10. I don’t know, but salt is inexpensive

At the same time, another question: how much salt does the "average in the hospital" have? Let's say Moscow, 30-35 cycles per month. How much salt (1 kg / 1.5 kg) is enough for how many months?

Finally lived up to buying roof rails. Quite unexpectedly, a question arose between the household about drying: in one model (Italy, Vibo, actually for a drying cabinet without a bottom, but mine with a bottom is also possible) plates below, a shelf for the type of glasses, etc. upstairs, in another (Spain, Indux...

Plastic is so deeply “ingrained” into our reality that we simply cannot imagine our existence without it. Think about how many things and objects made from this synthetic material surround us in Everyday life. On the other hand, more and more often these days they talk about the dangers of plastic bottles, dishes and other products, both for human health and for the environment. This article talks in detail about plastic, its varieties and labels, as well as the possibilities of recycling plastic products.

What is plastic

The names "plastic" and "plastic" come from the word "plastic". This means that this material is able to form a certain shape as a result of heating and retain it after cooling. Under common name"plastics" means a number of organic materials based on high-molecular compounds - polymers.

The production of synthetic plastics is based on polymerization and polycondensation reactions of certain substances. It can be benzene, phenol, ethylene or acetylene. Set of mechanical and physical properties plastics are about the same as metals (density, hardness, brittleness, heat resistance, etc.).

In general, plastics are characterized by low strength, relatively low density (no more than 1.8 g/cm 3 ), high resistance to moisture, acids and some solvents. When heated, they usually decompose. Plastics are much more brittle than most metals.

A bit of history

Parkesin was obtained by Parkes from cellulose, by treating the latter with nitric acid and a solvent. The revolutionary new substance was nicknamed "ivory". Parkes planned to mass-produce parkesine and established his own company, the Parkesine Company. However, the company quickly went bankrupt, as the quality of its products was not so good.

Commercial use of plastic began only after the Second World War. Mass production of plastic bottles began in the 1960s. Very quickly they gained wild popularity, both among consumers and manufacturers.

Production of plastic products

Today in the world there are many enterprises producing sweet drinks, mineral water and alcohol. All of them, of course, need a huge amount of appropriate plastic containers. How are plastic bottles made? How complex is this manufacturing process?

The raw material for the production of plastic bottles is granulated polyethylene terephthalate (PET for short). The substance is loaded into a special machine (injection molding machine), where a blank (preform) with thick walls and a formed neck is obtained from it. Then it is placed in the desired shape and a steel tube is introduced there. Through it, air is supplied to the preform under high pressure, which evenly distributes the melt along the walls of the mold.

The mold is then cooled down. The final stage is the removal of all defects obtained by the flow of plastic along the cracks of the mold. After that, the finished bottle is removed from the mold and sent for sorting. It is important to note that in the process of manufacturing plastic bottles, about 25% of the products are rejected and recycled.

Another key feature plastic production- its power consumption. So, for the manufacture of one thousand plastic bottles, you will need to spend up to 10 kW of electricity.

Harm of plastic bottles

Excessive cheapness and ease of use of plastic turned into other significant problems for humanity. The harm from plastic bottles and other products made from this material is enormous. Moreover, both for the environment and for the health of the human body.

Almost all plastic food containers contain various harmful substances and toxins. The most common are phthalate and bisphenol-A. Through food and drink, they get into digestive system and are carried throughout the body in the blood. Toxins found in plastic food containers can affect our bodies in the following ways:

• Disrupt hormonal balance.
• They accumulate in the liver, gradually destroying its cells.
• Reduce defenses. immune system organism.
• Deteriorate the work of the heart and circulatory system.
• Provoke the development of cancer cells.

Many people ask: is it possible to store alcoholic beverages (for example, beer or wine) in plastic bottles? The answer is unequivocal: no. Alcohol is an active chemical medium. Alcohol, being in prolonged contact with polymers, begins to interact with them. You yourself will feel the result of such an interaction when you try wine made of plastic: synthetic “notes” will clearly be present in the drink.

The same thing happens with beer. In plastic bottles, methyl alcohol absorbs all harmful toxins, turning into a real "organic solvent". Plastic containers cause maximum harm to the body when they heat up. So, for example, polystyrene (one of the varieties of plastic) when heated to 35-40 degrees turns, in fact, into poison. By the way, in many European countries you will have a hard time finding beer in plastic for sale.

Thus, alcoholic beverages are best stored in glass or porcelain containers. Plastic bottles for water (still) are relatively harmless and harmless. However, it is strongly not recommended to reuse such a container.

The harm of plastic bottles and packaging containers for humans largely depends on the labeling of the products themselves. It is worth dwelling on this issue in more detail.

Labeling of food grade plastics

Are you ready to go plastic-free just yet? Then learn how to choose products from it with minimal damage to your health. Special labeling of food plastics will help you with this. It looks like a triangle, consisting of three arrows. The number placed inside it, as well as the letter symbols under the figure, will tell you what type of plastic a particular product was made of.

So, take a plastic container or bottle and inspect it carefully. It must have one of the following signs:

• No. 1 PET (or PETE) - polyethylene terephthalate. Relatively harmless. The most common type of plastic used in the filling of soft drinks and liquid products. Recyclable.
• No. 2 HDPE (or PE HD) - high density polyethylene. Plastic with a low level of danger, although the possibility of the release of formaldehyde, a substance that provokes genetic disorders and changes in hormonal levels, is not ruled out. It is often used in the manufacture of bags, disposable tableware, containers for milk and dairy products.
• No. 3 PVC (or V) - polyvinyl chloride. Technical plastic used in the production of plastic windows, pipes, furniture parts, etc. Not suitable for food use.
• No. 4 LDPE - low density polyethylene. Garbage bags, CDs, linoleum are made from this cheap and relatively safe plastic. It is harmless to humans, but causes significant damage to the environment.
• No. 5 PP - polypropylene. Of all, it is considered the safest. It is often used to make children's toys, medical supplies, and food containers.
• No. 6 PS - polystyrene. It is used in the production of a wide range of products - meat and vegetable trays, sandwich panels, yogurt cups, etc. May release styrene, which is considered a dangerous carcinogen. Experts recommend minimizing the use of this type of plastic.
• No. 7 O (or OTHER) - all others (in particular, polyamide and polycarbonate). With strong heating, they can release bisphenol-A, a rather dangerous substance that provokes hormonal disruptions in the human body.

Plastic and ecology

Plastics are perhaps one of the most controversial materials. On the one hand, it is a very cheap and convenient material that I found wide application in medicine. Plastic products help save thousands every day human lives, and it is true. But on the other hand, plastic waste has been rapidly polluting our planet in recent decades. Here is a list of seven impressive facts that will help you realize the scale of this environmental problem:

• It takes up to 500 years for one piece of plastic to completely decompose.
• Up to 40% of all plastic waste is bottles.
• Buying water from plastic bottle, approximately 90% you pay exclusively for the container.
• In Europe, only 2.5% of the total mass of plastic is recycled.
• In the US, this figure is 27%, and this is still the highest figure in the world.
• 13 billion plastic bottles are produced in the world every year.
• Every year, about 150 tons of various plastic garbage is thrown into the ocean.

"Garbage Islands": realize the scale of pollution

Pay special attention to the last point. In 2014, environmentalists estimated that there were about 270 thousand tons of plastic waste on the surface of the oceans. And in 2017, Dr. Jennifer Lavers discovered that the coast desert island Henderson, located in the Pacific Ocean, is literally littered with garbage. The pollution index here reaches 670 objects per square meter. Both numbers are amazing!

So much plastic debris has accumulated in the oceans that they have already formed several "spots" or islands: two each in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and one more is located in the Indian. The largest of these is the so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch (Eastern Garbage Patch). Sometimes it is also called the "Eastern Garbage Continent".

The Pacific Garbage Patch is located approximately between 35° and 42° northern latitude and between 135° and 155° west longitude. It occupies a relatively stable patch of ocean with an area of ​​700,000 square kilometers (roughly the size of Turkey). was first discovered in 1988. The whirlpools of the Pacific Current System bring debris and waste from all over the northern part here. Pacific Ocean, including coastal areas of the United States and Japan.

Of course, a garbage patch is not a solid carpet of household waste. According to studies, there is at least 5 mg of whole or partially decomposed plastic per square meter of water surface here. Jellyfish and fish often mistake it for food, confusing it with plankton. Suffer from the plastic pollution of the oceans and birds. So, in the stomachs of dead albatrosses, bottle caps, lighters and other "benefits" of human civilization are often found.

Rejection of plastic and polyethylene: environmental trends of the XXI century

The accumulation of plastic waste in the environment adversely affects the habitat of many animals, contaminates water and soil. Moreover, two things are considered the main enemies of our planet - plastic bottles and disposable plastic bags.

Measures aimed at reducing the plastic pollution of the Earth have long been implemented in various regions and countries. First of all, they are aimed at the collection of plastic bottles, their sorting and recycling, as well as the overall reduction in the consumption of plastic products in the world.

Ecologists estimate that every year humanity uses about 4 trillion plastic bags! As of 2017, about 40 countries of the world have already completely abandoned their production and operation. Among them are states that are quite "advanced" in ecological terms (France, Denmark, Australia, Finland), and, surprisingly, third world countries (for example, Rwanda and Tanzania).

But, one way or another, humanity is not yet ready to completely abandon plastic and polyethylene. Therefore, it is extremely important role in each country there is a centralized reception of plastic bottles (and other waste), as well as their sorting and further processing. For example, in the United States, almost every waste collection point has special containers for collecting plastic products.

Plastic recycling

As mentioned above, the period of complete decomposition of plastic containers can last up to 500 years. It is quite obvious that our planet can turn into one global dump even before it has time to completely “digest” all those deposits of plastic that mankind has already produced.

That's why it's so important industrial processing products from this material. In addition, PET raw materials can be reused an unlimited number of times. There are also special technologies that make it possible to obtain automotive fuel from plastic raw materials.

But most often plastic is processed into the so-called "granulate". And this process includes several successive stages:

1. Reception of plastic bottles and other containers, as well as their sorting.
2. Cleaning PET products from debris and dirt (extremely milestone, because poor-quality removal of contaminants and glue from bottles adversely affects the quality final product).
3. The use of crushing equipment and the transformation of plastic into small crumbs.
4. Re-cleaning (washing) of plastic crumbs from contamination.
5. Drying and thermal processing of crumbs (agglomeration).
6. Granulation of the received material to particles of the necessary size.

Necessary equipment

For the first stage of plastic processing (sorting and pressing), it is necessary to have only two units:

• Conveyor (or sorting table).
• Press machine.

Labels, caps and rings from bottles in this case, as a rule, are removed manually.

For further processing a wider range of equipment is needed. It:

• Vibrating sieve (removes debris and solid impurities).
• Conveyor (sorts raw materials).
• Crusher (crushes plastic into small fractions).
• Centrifuge (dries the plastic).
• Extruder (processes plastic crumb into granulate or other product of a given shape).

The list of optional equipment includes:

• dispenser.
• Rinsing bath.
• Friction screw.
• Container for soaking flex.

The minimum cost of one processing line is about 4 million rubles. Domestic equipment is much cheaper (about 1.5 million rubles). However, it is more likely to break down and is less productive. Leading companies in the production of plastic recycling equipment: Herbold, Sorema, Redoma, Shredder.

Finally…

Planet Earth is rapidly becoming polluted plastic waste. Real garbage islands the size of large states drift in the Ocean. One of the most obvious solutions to this global environmental problem lies in complex processing already produced plastic and complete (or partial) refusal to produce new plastic containers. Many countries of the world are already actively working in this direction.