The impact of plastics on the health of children and adults. Marking on plastic utensils and containers
The most common polymer materials (types of plastic):
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Polypropylene
- Polyethylene
- Polystyrene
- Polycarbonate
They are used to produce both technical and food plastics.
Plastics used for the production of products in contact with food and children's assortment must undergo examination for compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards and be certified. The manufacturer is obliged to label its products. Food-grade plastic has the generally accepted marking - “glass and fork”. It may say that it is intended for cold, bulk or hot foods, for use in the microwave or for freezing, sometimes indicating a temperature range.
For example, “Snowflakes” indicate that the container is suitable for freezing food, “stove with waves” - that the dishes can be heated in the microwave, and “shower plates” indicate that the containers can be washed in dishwasher. This marking is also used by some Russian manufacturers.
Harm
The harm of plastic
Plastic in pure form It is a rather weak, brittle material - it cracks in the light and melts in the heat. For strength, stabilizers are added to it. This makes the plastic stronger, but also more toxic. Because of this, it appears harm from plastic dishes.
The polymers themselves are inert, non-toxic and do not “migrate” into food. But intermediate substances, technological additives, solvents, as well as chemical decomposition products can penetrate into food and have a toxic effect on humans. Under certain conditions, plastic releases toxic compounds that, when entering the human body, negatively affect his health.
This process can occur while food is being stored or when it is heated. In addition, polymer materials are subject to change (aging), as a result of which destruction products are released from them. Moreover different kinds plastics become toxic under various conditions - some cannot be heated, others cannot be washed, etc. Improper use becomes main reason harm from plastic utensils.
American scientists claim that up to 80% of “plastic” substances found in the human body get there from construction and finishing materials, in particular, from such popular plastic windows, furniture, but most of all - from dishes: from food-grade plastic, all kinds of compounds pass into food products. Domestic manufacturers, assure that certified plastic utensils are absolutely safe - if used as intended.
Benefit
Advantages of plastic dishes
Compactness, lightness, hygiene, low cost, ease of operation allow you to use plastic dishes outside the home - on the road, outdoors, etc. They do not require washing or cleaning. Therefore, the need for using plastic utensils is growing. Restaurants also use plastic dishes. fast food, summer cafes and snack bars.
Plastic food utensils: how to use
To plastic utensils are not harmful health, it must be used strictly for its intended purpose. Food grade plastic of different brands has different properties. One brand of this polymer raw material is intended for the production of water bottles, the other for carbonated drink bottles. Yogurt cups are made from a grade of plastic that allows the casting method to produce a lightweight, cheap container that is neutral to milk fat, while pudding cups must resist sugar.
Experts insist: under no circumstances should you use plastic packaging as containers for storing food, and disposable tableware - repeatedly. Disposable packaging should be used for one time only.
How plastic will react to contact with ingredients for which it was not intended, and what compounds may form in this case, no one has studied. Particularly insidious are fats and acids, which can extract free toxic compounds from plastic.
Foods high in sugar and fat should not be cooked in plastic containers. They are heated to the point where the plastic melts and deforms. You need to cook them in a special container that can withstand heating up to 140, 180 or more C.
When reusing disposable plastic tableware, its outer protective layer is damaged, and carcinogenic substances - formaldehyde, phenol, cadmium, lead - begin to be released.
Don't drink from disposable bottles plastic glasses alcohol. Any plastic contains toxic substances, which do not dissolve in ordinary cold drinks, but do not withstand chemical attack alcohol.
The release of various compounds from plastic increases many times over when heated. Therefore, only special containers designed for this purpose can be used in a microwave oven.
At home, immediately remove the packaging film from food. Trim off the top layer of food stored in plastic packaging.
Do not use disposable packaging to store food. Store food in glass and ceramic containers. Try to avoid products packaged in plastic whenever possible, preferring loose ones.
Buy baby food only in glass or cardboard. Do not use plastic containers 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 plastic water jug that becomes cloudy should be thrown away.
Also, disposable packaging was not intended for washing, so the result may be unpredictable.
Any polymer material ages 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 shelf life applies not only to the product itself, but also to the packaging. This is most true for canned goods. For example, a toxic substance can be found in them - biphenol.
Lined with plastic film containing biphenol inner surface cans so that the metal does not come into contact with food. From here biphenol can pass into the contents.
It is advisable to replace canned food with fresh or frozen foods.
Transfer food from opened cans into glass containers, even if we're talking about about short-term storage (under the influence of oxygen, corrosion of cans increases sharply and the content of lead and tin in food begins to increase rapidly).
Toxins can accumulate in the body for years, undermining your health. Even small amounts are poisonous if exposed for a long time.
Buy food, plastic utensils and cling film only from reputable manufacturers and only from reliable stores.
Today there are disposable tableware made from environmentally friendly pure materials- reed, bamboo, eggshell based, as well as paper tableware made from cardboard.
ADDITIONALLY
Labeling of plastic utensils
To simplify the sorting of plastic, a special international marking has been developed - triangles formed by arrows with a number inside. The number indicating the type of plastic is located inside the triangle. Below the triangle is a letter abbreviation indicating the type of plastic.
PET Polyethylene terephthalate: bottles for carbonated drinks, water, juices, dairy products, vegetable oils, cosmetic products, etc.
Frozen ready meals in trays in which they can be heated in the microwave or oven, are made from crystallized polyethylene terephthalate. Its properties remain unchanged in the range from -40º to +250ºС. True, some brands may lose the necessary heat resistance after being subjected to deep cooling.
Buy drinks only in PET bottles and do not reuse them.
PP Polypropylene: medical products, bottle caps, hot dishes, food packaging film
Dishes made of polypropylene (PP marking) are safer. The polypropylene glass can withstand temperatures up to +100°C. You can drink hot tea or coffee from polypropylene glasses; you can heat food in the microwave in plates made from it. But upon contact with strong drinks and alcohol, it releases formaldehyde or phenol. If you drink vodka from such a glass, not only your kidneys, but also your eyesight will suffer. Formaldehyde is also considered a carcinogen.
PS Polystyrene: disposable tableware, cups for dairy products, yogurt, electrical insulating film
Polystyrene is indifferent to cold liquids. But when polystyrene cookware comes into contact with hot water or alcohol, it begins to release a toxic compound (monomers) - styrene. It is not recommended to place hot foods in polystyrene plates. Polystyrene plates are often used in summer cafes for barbecue. And along with hot meat and ketchup, the client also receives a dose of toxins - styrene, which accumulate in the liver and kidneys.
Disposable cups can only be used for water. It is better not to drink sour juices, sodas, hot and strong drinks from them. Some coffee machines use polystyrene cups. That is, you cannot drink hot coffee or tea from them.
Purchasing products instant cooking(those that just 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. Therefore, it is better to transfer the products into ceramic or enamel dishes and then pour boiling water over them.
Cool food before storing it in a container. For hot food and microwave ovens, use only special containers.
If there is no marking on the plastic, you can distinguish PS from PP by touch - polystyrene crunches and breaks, and polypropylene wrinkles. Also basic distinctive feature polystyrene bottles - bluish color of the container. And when pressing with a fingernail on PS plastic, a whitish scar (stripe) always remains; on PP plastic, the container will remain smooth.
HDP High Density Polyethylene: packaging bags, garbage bags
PVC Polyvinyl chloride: construction and finishing materials, furniture, shoes, medical products, water bottles, cling film
The synthetic poison dioxin can be released from PVC utensils in cases of heating food in microwave ovens or freezing water in freezers. Dioxins accumulate in human adipose tissue and are not eliminated from the body for a very long time (up to 30 years). Dioxin released causes cancer (especially breast cancer).
LDP Low Density Polyethylene ( low pressure): bottles for detergents and edible vegetable oils, toys, pipes, plastic bags.
Other types of plastic are multilayer packaging or composite plastic.
Mayonnaise, ketchup and other sauces, seasonings, juices, jams, ready-made soups and cereals that require heating, sold in bags. 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, and main courses are packaged in bags made of films that have a high melting point. Dishes in such packaging can be heated in the microwave or boiled directly in the bag. Such dishes can withstand temperatures from -40 to +230° C or more. But physiologists still advise eating them less often.
Dishes made of melamine (polymerized formaldehyde) - it is white, shiny (reminiscent of porcelain), weighs lighter, and does not break. When tapped, melamine dishes produce not a ringing sound, but a dull sound.
Using such utensils is extremely dangerous. To make the dishes stronger, asbestos can be added to it, which is prohibited even in construction (such dishes come to Russia from Turkey, Jordan and China). It cannot be used for hot food. When melamine dishes are poured hot water, formaldehyde begins to dissolve in water. Formaldehyde and asbestos can cause cancer. To ensure that the design on such a plate lasts for a long time, paints containing heavy metals, primarily lead, are used.
IN summer period Plastic utensils are gaining popularity. It is quite convenient to transport food in it. As a rule, such things are used on long trips and on picnics. The undoubted advantage of such dishes is their low cost. It's no secret that in most cases it is disposable. The quality of a dish can tell you a lot about its quality. After reading our article, you can easily determine what exactly the signs mean that are located on the bottom of a disposable plate or glass.
History of the creation of plastic tableware
Today, disposable plastic tableware is quite familiar to us. We use it as a lunch box or take it with us on a picnic. Does everyone know exactly when it appeared? You can find out this information in our article.
For the first time about plastic dishes learned in the United States of America in 1910. The first to be created was a disposable glass, and then they began to produce forks, plates, spoons and other items known to us today. The first dishes were made from thick paper. It only gained popularity in 1950. And it was at this time that paper began to be replaced by another material, namely plastic.
Plastic dishes in the USSR. Nowadays
In the Soviet Union, such dishes began to appear only in 1960, but they were not popular until 1990. This was due to the lack of fast food establishments. It is worth paying attention to the fact that disposable paper tableware is now gaining popularity again. This is no coincidence, because quite often plastic products for storing food do not meet quality standards. Paper, in turn, is a safe and environmentally friendly material.
To purchase utensils that are harmless to health, you need to know what the markings on plastic utensils mean. You can find out this and much more in our article.
Plastic utensils have mass positive qualities. The very first thing consumers pay attention to is the low cost of such a product. It is convenient to transport and there is no need to wash. It is known that plastic dishes are quite durable, but only if there is no excessive load on them. As a rule, due to its positive qualities, it is used for picnics, parties, or simply taken for food to work or on a long trip. Marking of plastic utensils for food products can tell a lot about its quality and recommendations for use. In order for disposable food containers to bring only benefits, you need to know how to use them correctly.
Today, many cafes and fast food restaurants use plastic disposable tableware because it is cheap, convenient and aesthetically pleasing. It is worth noting that from of this material Reusable containers are also being created. Many housewives use them to store bulk substances. Is plastic harmful? You can find out this information in our article.
Harm and negative qualities of plastic and disposable tableware
Few people know, but if used incorrectly, any disposable container can cause irreversible harm to health. To prevent this from happening, you need to know what the labeling of plastic utensils means. The decoding of the markers is provided in our article.
Reusable and disposable tableware is harmful if it is used incorrectly. However, some doctors believe that it carries a certain danger under any circumstances. First of all, experts do not recommend reusing containers that are intended for one-time use. The second time it is used, it releases a large amount of substances hazardous to health.
It's no secret that plastic is a material that is obtained chemically. It is for this reason that when exposed to different products it can behave completely differently. For example, not every disposable glass can be used to drink warm tea. Marking of plastic utensils is great way find out how you can use this or that container.
Plastic is known to be difficult to degrade. This process takes more than ten years. It is for this reason that this material negatively affects our ecology. To cope with this problem, factories are opening in many cities that process environmentally hazardous material. Unfortunately, there are quite a few such enterprises. It is for this reason that many fast food establishments prefer to use only paper utensils. It is more environmentally friendly and harmless.
Marking on plastic. Polystyrene dishes
In order not to harm your health, you need to know what the markings on plastic utensils mean. The decoding, which is described in our article, is remembered quite simply. This information will definitely be useful to you at a picnic or party, and will also help you maintain your health.
If there is a PS sign on plastic containers, you can be sure that such containers contain polystyrene. If used incorrectly, it is extremely dangerous to health. Plastic containers marked this way can only be used for storing refrigerated foods. The thing is that upon contact with hot food, containers with polystyrene release styrene, which accumulates in vital organs. Over time, this can cause the development of serious diseases. It is also highly recommended not to store alcoholic beverages in such containers or to heat food in the microwave.
Plastic utensils made of polypropylene
Does plastic marking exist and its decoding, which is described in our article, will allow you to find out.
There is an opinion that disposable tableware should never be used in the microwave. However, it is not. On some plastic containers you can find a sign with the number 5 and the symbols PP. This marking indicates that the cookware contains polypropylene. It is in such a container that you can heat food in the microwave and pour hot tea into it. Few people know, but polypropylene dishes do not deform when in contact with contents whose temperature is no more than 100 degrees Celsius.
The only thing that should never be stored in such a container is alcohol. If alcohol is poured into a polypropylene container, the plastic begins to release phenol, from the effects of which a person can completely lose his vision. A polypropylene container has a lot of positive qualities. It is known that it is quite durable and retains heat well. Plastic utensils are extremely popular today. Consumer labeling is main source information that allows you to find out what a particular container is intended for.
What does the triangle of three arrows mean on plastic containers?
You know what the markings on plastic utensils look like. In addition to numbers and letters, there is a triangle sign on it, which consists of three arrows. Not everyone understands what it means. Such a closed cycle of arrows indicates that the used dishes are subject to further processing. As a rule, there is a number inside the triangle, and several letters below it. They can tell you about the material from which your chosen cookware is made.
Sign with cutlery
The labeling of plastic utensils is the first thing a consumer should pay attention to when purchasing. As we said earlier, if containers are used incorrectly, they can cause irreversible harm to health. Often on plastic utensils you can find a sign with the image of cutlery. This marker indicates that food can be stored in this container. If such a sign is crossed out, then you can be sure that the product is not intended for use in the kitchen.
To protect yourself and your loved ones, you need to know and remember what the labeling of plastic utensils means. The decoding, which is described in our article, will allow you to find out what is included in a particular container.
If you go on a picnic with plastic utensils, then under no circumstances burn them after the picnic is over. When burned, disposable containers release substances hazardous to health. Experts strongly recommend not to eat in establishments that use plastic utensils. If you have no other choice, then be sure to pay attention to its quality. Labeling plastic utensils will allow you to find out whether they are used correctly in a particular establishment. A similar situation exists with Often, when there is a great desire to save money, they use cheaper glasses that are not intended for storing hot drinks.
As we said earlier, never reuse disposable tableware. This rule is not accidental, because in this case, the top layer on the surface of the plastic container is destroyed, and it begins to release life-threatening chemicals.
Gastroenterologists strongly discourage the use of plastic utensils. They emphasize that under any circumstances, some polymers still enter the human body. It is known that over time they accumulate and become causative agents of serious diseases. Experts strongly recommend not using disposable containers or at least paying attention to the recommendations for their use. Labeling plastic utensils will allow you to find out what a particular container is suitable for. Doctors recommend today that you stop using such kitchen items and use only disposable containers made of thick paper.
Let's sum it up
In the warm season, plastic dishes are especially popular. The marking of such containers is described in our article. We strongly recommend that you remember its decoding in order to maintain your health. Plastic dishes have a lot of positive qualities. It is cheap and compact. However, it also has several disadvantages. If used correctly, it will only bring you joy and will not ruin your picnic. Be healthy!
“Under certain conditions, plastic releases toxic compounds that, when entering the human body, undermine his health.
US scientists claim that up to 80% of “plastic” substances found in the human body come from construction and finishing materials (from plastic windows, furniture), but most of all - from dishes. From food-grade plastic, various compounds end up in food products.
Technical and food plastics are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene and polycarbonate.
The polymers themselves are inert and non-toxic. But technological additives, solvents, and chemical decomposition products get into food and have a toxic effect. This can happen when food is stored or heated. In addition, these materials, when subjected to change (aging), release destruction products.
Polyvinyl chloride is a chlorine-based polymer. It is distributed all over the world because... extremely cheap.
It is used to make drink bottles, cosmetics boxes, containers for household chemicals, and disposable tableware.
Over time, PVC begins to release a harmful carcinogenic substance - vinyl chloride.
From a bottle it gets into a drink, from a plate into food, and with food into our body.
Harmful substances from PVC begin to be released a week after the contents are poured into it. After a month, 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 and even alcoholic drinks are poured into them. In these markets, milk and sunflower oil. Large bottles are used as buckets and they even store “living” and holy water in it ( healing properties water can only be preserved in glass containers).
Water bottles should not be refilled with anything other than water. Only PET bottles can be reused. Toxic vinyl chlorine is released from PVC bottles.
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, the water and plastic quickly change their properties.
Conscientious manufacturers put a symbol on the bottom of dangerous bottles - a three in a triangle, or PVC, i.e. (PVC).
A harmful container can also be recognized by the influx on the bottom. It comes in the form of a line or a spear at two ends. If you press the bottle with your fingernail, a whitish scar will form on the dangerous one. The “correct” bottle remains smooth.
Disposable cups can only be used for water. It is better not to drink acidic juices, sodas, hot and strong drinks from them!
It is not recommended to place hot foods in polystyrene plates
Don't stock up on plastic utensils.
Do not spill tea or alcoholic drinks- It is not safe.
Plastic is a delicate material (it cracks in the light and melts in the heat). For strength, stabilizers are added to it. Plastic becomes stronger and...more toxic.
Polystyrene (designated with the letters PS) is indifferent to cold liquids. But from hot liquid or alcohol, the glass begins to release a toxic compound (styrene).
Polystyrene plates are used in summer cafes for barbecue. In addition to hot meat and ketchup, you can also get a dose of toxins.
Polypropylene glass (marked - PP) can withstand temperatures up to +lOO˚С. But if you drink vodka from such a glass, not only your kidneys suffer, but also your eyesight. Phenol and formaldehyde (a carcinogenic substance) begin to be released.
DISPOSABLE PACKAGING FOR ONE TIME ONLY
To ensure that plastic utensils are safe, they must be used strictly for their intended purpose.
Different brands of food grade plastic have different properties. One brand is intended for the production of water bottles, the other for carbonated drinks
Yogurt cups are made from a brand of plastic that is neutral to milk fat and acids.
Under no circumstances should plastic packaging be used as a container for storing food, and disposable tableware should not be used repeatedly.
It is not yet known how it will react and what may form when it comes into contact with products for which it was not intended.
Before reuse The plastic container must be washed. Disposable packaging was not intended for washing, so the result is unpredictable.
Do not use disposable packaging for food storage or reuse disposable tableware.
Cool food before storing it in a container. Use special dishes for the microwave oven.
Mayonnaise, ketchup and other seasonings, juices, jams, as well as ready-made soups and cereals that require heating, are sold in bags made from multilayer composite films. The choice of film depends on the properties of the product, the period and conditions of its storage.
Soups, cereals, and main courses are packaged in bags made of films that have a high melting point. Dishes in such packaging can be heated in the microwave or boiled directly in the bag. Doctors advise eating them less often: the less chemicals, the better.
Manufacturers of instant products (cups, bags, plates) often use polystyrene packaging.
And when it comes into contact with hot water, it begins to release harmful styrene. It is better to transfer everything into a ceramic or enamel bowl and then pour boiling water over it.
Frozen prepared meals in reheatable trays may lose adequate heat stability after being deep-chilled (some brands).
MELAMINE TABLEWARE
Using dishes made of melamine (formaldehyde) is extremely dangerous.
To make the dishes stronger, asbestos is added to them. And asbestos is prohibited even in construction, not to mention in dishes.
Formaldehyde and asbestos are very harmful and can cause cancer.
The design on the plate is also harmful. You cannot apply a harmless dye to melamine - it will not stick. Therefore, paints containing heavy metals, primarily lead, are used.
Food in such containers becomes toxic (when heated, harmful carcinogenic substances are formed). Heating soup in such a container can cause cancer.
Studies were conducted on animals: some were fed for 2 months from porcelain dishes, and others from bright plastic. The latter experienced changes in blood composition, which often leads to neoplasms.
Together with food, formaldehyde enters the body - a poison that negatively affects many vital important organs, up to their failure. This even affects the offspring (future children will be born with various disabilities and will be delayed 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 they don’t favor melamine; some countries write on the label: on the territory of the EEC, it’s not allowed, for export - please. So foreign manufacturers and sellers care about the health of their citizens.
Before you buy such dishes, think about whether it is worth risking your health.
Modern plastic dishes and plastic containers
Plastic containers for microwave ovens must be heat-resistant. Special markings on the bottom of this dish indicate its suitability for microwaves or heat resistance up to 140° C.
If the marking says that the dishes can be washed in the dishwasher, then they are resistant to heat.
If the container in which the product is frozen can withstand heating up to 95°C, then it is suitable for use in the microwave. Otherwise, it is necessary to defrost in another microwave-safe container.
Ordinary plastic ice cream packaging and other similar containers are not suitable for microwave use. Resistant to freezing, they can be deformed when heated.
Do not heat food in plastic bags intended for storing food.
Plastic dishes that cannot withstand high temperatures become deformed, the plastic decomposes and releases harmful substances. This also includes Chinese dishes, which are made mainly of plastic that is not suitable for food.
Foods high in sugar and fat should not be cooked in plastic containers. They are heated to the point where the plastic melts and deforms. It is better to cook them in a special container that can withstand heating up to 140, 180 or more C.
Cookware is now available that is specifically designed for use in microwave ovens.
Such dishes can withstand temperatures from -40 to +230° C or more.
In the microwave, you can use special plastic plates and bags designed for the oven that can withstand boiling temperatures (but without a metal clamp so as not to melt the packaging) and pierce the bag to allow steam to escape.
Plastic dishes - used mainly for storing food (cheese, butter) or ready-made dishes.
You can't cook in it.
When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the markings on the bottom of the cookware.
If there is an inscription - "for technical purposes" - even on a short time it cannot be used for food.
You cannot store acidic foods, cabbage, pickled cucumbers and other vegetables in plastic containers.
Wash with not very hot water.
Permissible and safe doses of chemicals.
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 permissible dose.
Others insist: the more chemicals a person consumes, the more it destroys the body...
Plastic entered our lives about 30 years ago. Now the first truly “plastic” generation is growing, and to draw conclusions about the effect of plastic on the body, it is necessary to observe at least five generations..."
Plastic has become 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 harm plastic bottles, dishes and other products, both for human health and the environment. This article describes in detail about plastic, its varieties and labeling, as well as the possibilities for recycling plastic products.
What is plastic
The names “plastic” and “plastic” come from the word “plastic”. This means that this material, as a result of heating, is capable of forming a certain form and save it after cooling. The general name “plastics” refers to 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 approximately the same as metals (density, hardness, fragility, heat resistance, etc.).
In general, plastics are characterized by low strength, relatively low density (no more than 1.8 g/cm3), and high resistance to moisture, acids and some solvents. When heated, they usually decompose. Plastics are much more brittle than most metals.
A little history
Parkesine was obtained by Parks from cellulose, as a result of treatment of the latter with nitric acid and a solvent. The revolutionary new substance was nicknamed “ ivory" Parkes planned to establish mass production of parkesine and founded his own company, the Parkesine Company. However, the company quickly went bankrupt, since the quality of its products was not so good.
Plastic began to be used for commercial purposes only after the Second World War. Mass production plastic bottles were established in the 1960s. Very quickly they gained wild popularity among both 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 (abbreviated as PET). The substance is loaded into a special machine (injection molding machine), where it is turned into a blank (preform) with thick walls and a formed neck. Then it is placed in the desired shape and a steel tube is inserted there. Through it into the preform under high pressure air is supplied, which evenly distributes the melt along the walls of the mold.
The mold is then cooled. The final stage- this is the removal of all defects resulting from plastic flowing over cracks in the mold. After this, the finished bottle is removed from the mold and sent for sorting. It is important to note that during the manufacturing process of plastic bottles, about 25% of products are rejected and recycled.
Another Key Feature plastic production- its energy intensity. So, to produce one thousand plastic bottles you will need to spend up to 10 kW of electricity.
The harm of plastic bottles
The excessive cheapness and ease of use of plastic have resulted in other significant problems for humanity. The harm from plastic bottles and other products made from this material is colossal. Moreover, both for the environment and for the health of the human body.
Almost all plastic food containers contain various harmful substances and toxins. Most often these are phthalate and bisphenol-A. Through food and drinks, they enter digestive system and are carried by the blood throughout the body. Toxins contained in plastic food containers can affect our bodies in the following ways:
- Knocks down hormonal balance.
- They accumulate in the liver, gradually destroying its cells.
- Reduce the defenses of the body's immune system.
- Impairs the functioning of the heart and circulatory system.
- Provoke the development of cancer cells.
Many people wonder: is it possible to store alcoholic beverages (such as beer or wine) in plastic bottles? The answer is clear: 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 this interaction when you taste wine made from plastic: there will be clearly synthetic “notes” 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 types of plastic) when heated to 35-40 degrees turns, in fact, into poison. By the way, in many European countries you with with great difficulty You will find beer in plastic for sale.
Thus, it is better to store alcoholic drinks in glass or porcelain containers. Plastic water bottles (still) are relatively harmless and harmless. However, it is strictly not recommended to reuse such containers.
The harm of plastic bottles and packaging to humans largely depends on the labeling of the products themselves. This issue is worth dwelling on in more detail.
Labeling of food plastics
Not ready to completely give up plastic yet? Then learn 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 from.
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 for bottling soft drinks and liquid products. Recyclable.
- No. 2 HDPE (or PE HD) - high density polyethylene. Plastic with low level danger, although the possibility of the release of formaldehyde, a substance that provokes genetic disorders and changes in hormonal levels, cannot be ruled out. 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. This cheap and relatively safe plastic is used to make garbage bags, CDs, linoleum. It is harmless to humans, but causes significant damage 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. 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 reducing the use of this type of plastic to a minimum.
- No. 7 O (or OTHER) - all others (in particular, polyamide and polycarbonate). When heated strongly, they can release bisphenol-A, a rather dangerous substance that provokes hormonal imbalances 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 has found wide application in medicine. Every day, plastic products help save thousands human lives, and it is true. But on the other hand, plastic waste in last decades are rapidly polluting our planet. Here is a list of seven impressive facts that will help you understand the scale of this environmental problem:
- It takes up to 500 years for one unit of plastic to completely decompose.
- Up to 40% of all plastic waste is bottles.
- When buying water in a plastic bottle, you pay approximately 90% solely for the packaging.
- In Europe, only 2.5% of total mass plastic.
- In the US, this figure is 27%, which is still the highest figure in the world.
- 13 billion plastic bottles are produced worldwide every year.
- Every year, about 150 tons of various plastic waste are thrown into the ocean.
"Trash Islands": Realize the scale of pollution
Please pay Special attention to the last point. In 2014, environmentalists estimated that there are about 270 thousand tons of plastic waste on the surface of the World Ocean. And in 2017, Dr. Jennifer Lavers discovered that the coast of the uninhabited Henderson Island, located in the Pacific Ocean, literally words are littered with garbage. The pollution indicator here reaches 670 objects per square meter of territory. Both numbers are amazing!
There is so much plastic garbage in the World Ocean that they have already formed several “spots” or islands: two each in the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, and another one is located in Indian. The largest of them is the so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Sometimes it is also called the “Eastern Garbage Continent”.
The Pacific Garbage Patch is located approximately between 35° and 42° north latitude and between 135° and 155° west longitude. It occupies a relatively stable area of 700 thousand square kilometers of ocean (roughly the size of Turkey). was first discovered in 1988. Whirlpools of the Pacific current system bring garbage and waste here from all over the northern part Pacific Ocean, including coastal areas of the USA and Japan.
Of course, a garbage spot is not a continuous carpet of household waste. According to research, for one square meter The water surface here contains at least 5 mg of whole or partially decomposed plastic. Jellyfish and fish often mistake it for food, confusing it with plankton. Suffer from plastic pollution oceans and birds. Thus, bottle caps, lighters and other “goods” are often found in the stomachs of dead albatrosses. human civilization.
Refusal of plastic and polyethylene: environmental trends of the 21st century
The accumulation of plastic waste in the environment negatively affects the habitat of many animals and 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 plastic pollution on the Earth have long been implemented in different regions and countries. First of all, they aim to collect plastic bottles, sort them and recycle them, as well as to reduce consumption overall plastic products in the world.
According to environmentalists, every year humanity uses about 4 trillion plastic bags for their household needs! As of 2017, about 40 countries around the world have already completely abandoned their production and operation. Among them are quite “advanced” in environmentally states (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, centralized collection of plastic bottles (and other waste), as well as their sorting and further processing, plays a role. Thus, in the USA, at almost every waste collection point there are special containers for collecting plastic products.
Plastic recycling
As mentioned above, the period complete decomposition 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 the deposits of plastic that humanity has already produced.
That's why it's so important industrial processing products made 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 automobile fuel from plastic raw materials.
But most often plastic is processed into so-called “granulate”. And this process includes several successive stages:
- Reception of plastic bottles and other containers, as well as their sorting.
- Cleaning PET products from debris and dirt (an extremely important stage, because poor removal of dirt and glue from bottles has a detrimental effect on the quality of the final product).
- The use of crushing equipment and the transformation of plastic into small crumbs.
- Repeated cleaning (rinsing) of plastic crumbs from contaminants.
- Drying and temperature treatment of crumbs (agglomeration).
- Granulation of the resulting material to particles of the desired size.
Necessary equipment
For the first stage of plastic processing (sorting and pressing), you only need two units:
- Conveyor (or sorting table).
- Press machine.
In this case, labels, caps and rings from bottles are usually removed manually.
For further processing a wider range of equipment is needed. This:
- Vibrating sieve (removes debris and solid impurities).
- Conveyor (sorts raw materials).
- Crushing machine (crushes plastic into small fractions).
- Centrifuge (dries plastic).
- Extruder (processes plastic chips into granulate or other product of a given shape).
The list of additional equipment includes:
- Dispenser.
- Rinse bath.
- Friction screw.
- Container for soaking flex.
The minimum cost of one processing line is about 4 million rubles. Domestic equipment costs much less (about 1.5 million rubles). However, it is more likely to break down and is less productive. Leading companies in the production of equipment for plastic processing: Herbold, Sorema, Redoma, Shredder.
Finally…
Planet Earth is rapidly becoming polluted plastic waste. There are real garbage islands the size of large states. One of the most obvious solutions to this global environmental problem lies in the comprehensive recycling of already produced plastic and a complete (or partial) refusal to produce new plastic containers. Many countries around the world are already actively working in this direction.
The damage caused by plastic utensils is quite serious. Currently, utensils 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 tableware
In the manufacture, for example, of cups, in addition to PVC, polystyrene is used, designated as PS or ABS plastic. If you fill such a glass with hot water or a strong drink, it immediately begins to release a toxic compound - styrene. Inhaling its vapors will lead to a large number of serious and chronic diseases. They have a detrimental effect on the functioning of the liver and kidneys, on the activity of the circulatory and nervous systems. Prolonged exposure of styrene to the human body is fraught with changes in blood composition and acute respiratory diseases. respiratory tract, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. With frequent use of such a “toxic cup,” toxic substances accumulate in the liver and kidneys, which is dangerous for the formation of cirrhosis.
Dishes made of polypropylene
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 your kidneys and liver will suffer, but also your eyes. But that is not all. The glass also releases 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 absorbed very quickly through the skin, and once it enters the body it begins to affect the brain. Even if the dose chemical substance 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 is, of course, polyvinyl chloride, since it is very cheap to produce. PVC, in turn, decomposes to form toxic vinyl chloride, which, when ingested, affects the central nervous system, the human skeleton, as well as the heart, connective tissue and brain. Due to liver poisoning, angiosarcoma appears. Vinyl chloride lowers immune system and promotes the formation of tumors, has carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects.
Let's take, for example, a plastic bottle. She secretes this 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: milk and sunflower oil are sold in them at markets, many people use them as buckets and even store spring water in it (however, the healing properties of water can only be preserved in glass containers).
Be aware that water bottles should not be refilled with anything other than water. Only PET bottles can be reused. Toxic vinyl chlorine is released from PVC bottles.
Experts say 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 the bottle, water and plastic quickly change their properties.
Labeling of plastic utensils and decoding
It is difficult, but not impossible, to distinguish between dangerous PVC plastic utensils. Just look at the bottom. Honest manufacturers mark bottles with a mark-icon, which represents a 3 in a triangle, or the letters PVC, which means the abbreviation PVC, and sometimes they simply write V. Unfortunately, it is rare to see dishes with honest inscriptions. 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 comes in the form of a line or a spear with two ends.
How to check plastic dishes
The most reliable way is to press your fingernail onto the dishes. If a dull white mark has formed on it, then the object is made of polyvinyl chloride, but remains smooth - made of a safe polymer.
In children's plastic dishes, in most cases made in China, Poland and Turkey, salts of heavy metals and great amount melamine compounds, because the waterproof polymers used in the manufacture of such dishes include melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resins. When using such polymer products, the MF resins begin to break down and release formaldehyde, a colorless gas with a pungent odor, which can be confirmed by sniffing the dishes and moistening them with warm water.
But we advise you not to carry out such experiments, as it is dangerous for your health. Perhaps plastic dishes are quite nice to look at, lightweight, unbreakable, and 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. Avoid plastic Coca-Cola bottles, etc., and use only special baby bottles. Over time, when the child becomes older, you can use glassware. Everyone knows that glass can withstand high temperatures without releasing toxic substances.
Many people take home-cooked food with them to work. Homemade treats, as usual, are placed in plastic containers, which are now very popular. Food is stored in them, heated in microwaves, and eaten. Meanwhile, such use is heating and contact with water and food, there is a release and formation of toxic substances that enter the body.
Plastic dishes are poison!
Remember that safe utensils are: stainless steel, cast iron, glass, ceramic (the latter is preferably white, not brightly colored and with a minimum of patterns). Food can also be stored and wrapped in foil.
Now you are aware, which means you are armed! ;) Take care of your health and the health of your loved ones!
Video Harm from plastic utensils