5 Reasons Plastics Are Unsafe

CEBU, Philippines - We use them as if our lives depended on them, 24/7. From grocery shopping to food preparation to entertainment, plastics have really become an essential item in our lifestyle.

When we try to organize our stuff, we depend on plastic containers because they make our rooms look better, especially those with sleek designs. When we pack food, they’re there, making outings more convenient. And, when we are out to fulfill our fitness cravings, who would forget their bottle of energy drink?

Plastics, however, are not exactly a cup of tea when it comes to our body. It seems that this late 19th Century invention that has become an everyday item in this age of convenience and efficiency, contains chemicals that are not only harmful to our environment, but is even more harmful to us.

1. Phthalates. Phthalates are used by manufacturers to make plastic more pliable and soft. It can be found in clothing with vinyl, footwear, toys, food wraps, vinyl floorings, and even in surgical gloves. The problem with phthalate is that it is an endocrine disruptor, which means that it interferes with the function of the body’s hormones leader to the development of cancer cells, birth defects, and other developmental disorders in children, including the dominance of female characteristics for boys and male characteristics for girls.

2. Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is a major ingredient in plastic. It makes the material more transparent and strong, more shatter-proof, so to speak. BPA is found in drinking bottles, bottle caps, plastic cutlery, plastic food storage containers, toys, water popes, and even electronic equipment and gadgets like cellphones. Animal studies have shown that BPA causes cancer, lower one’s immune system, hasten puberty, obesity, diabetes, and other behavioral and developmental problems in children.

3. Polyethylene terephthalate. Every heard or PET bottles, well, that’s what PET stands for – polyethylene terephthalate. PET is commonly used in ready-to-drink beverages like softdrinks, fruit juices, and even water. The recyclability of this material makes it the best choice for manufacturers who hope to save on their expenses on material, thus increasing profit. However, the danger is just too real. A 2009 Discovery News report revealed that PET, although marketed as a safe plastic, may contain unknown chemicals that could disrupt the body’s hormones, eventually affecting the body’s normal functions.

“What we found was really surprising to us... If you drink water from plastic bottles, you have a high probability of drinking estrogenic compounds,” the article quoted Martin Wagner, an ecotoxicologist at Geothe University in Frankfurt, Germany.

Like phthalates and BPA, the hormone-altering chemicals of PET has the potential of causing cancer, affect reproductive health, and cause behavioral problems in children.

4. Polyvinyl chloride. When we talk of PVC what would come to mind would be pipes. In addition to pipes, PVC is also used for food packaging, plastic wraps, containers, toys, inflatable swimming pools, clothing, and a variety of other common household implements. What we may not be aware of is that PVCs contain additives that are harmful to our health. These additives include lead, cadmium, and phthalates. These chemicals would leak or flake from the plastic, eventually ending up in our food or drinks, causing cancer, birth defects, deafness, vision failure, liver dysfunction, or in the least, skin disease.

5. Polystyrene. This compound is used as an additive in the manufacture of plastic used as food containers for meat, fish, and other raw ingredient. It can also be found in plastic cutlery, cups, ice buckets, CD cases, flotation devices, ice buckets, and even toys. Ever had your fastfood taken out? Then the container used to pack it may contain polystyrene. One of the main ingredients for polystyrene, on the other hand, is styrene which, even in small amounts, could cause nerve, blood, and cell abnormalities, including cancer. Signs of styrene poisoning include fatigue, nervousness, and sleeping difficulties.