Potential Health hazards of Plastics Identifying Food Grade Plastics and Safety Codes

2. What are Plastics
 Organic polymers
 Mostly from
petrochemicals
 Also contain additives ,
fillers and artificial
colours
 Cadmium, antimony ,
Zinc oxides
 Oily Plasticisers

3. Plastics….1800 AD till date

8. Medical equipment

9. Types of Plastics
 Seven Types of Plastics used in Day-to-Day Life
 Not all are Reusable or Recyclable
 Plastic Recycling Code for identification

10. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Preferably Single Use
Leaching in Hot Water
Bacterial Growth if not Clean

11. HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
Detergent Containers
Milk Containers
NEVER REUSE

12. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
NO FOOD CONTACT
Not Recycled

13. LDPE (Low Density Poly Ethylene)
Safe - Food Grade Plastics

14. Polypropylene (PP)
Good Quality Plastic
Safe for Use
Heat Resistant

15. Polystyrene (Styrofoam) (PS)
Highly Toxic

16. Others (Polycarbonates, Polyacids)

17. How Safe are Plastics
 Conflicting Reports….Not Very Many Conclusive
Studies
 NO ONE REALLY KNOWS
 Potential Hazards
 Additives
 Colours and Dyes
 Metals- Lead, Cadmium, Antimony

18. Potential Effects

19. Potential Medical Issues
 Direct Toxicity during manufacturing
 Colouring agents, dyes can cause Organ Damage
 HORMONAL DISRUPTIONS
 Reproductive Disorders
 Nervous Growth Retardation
 Birth Defects
 ???? CANCERS

20. Potential hazards
 Burning of Plastics – Toxins in Air
 Lead Poisoning
 Cadmium poisoning
 Immune System Suppression

21. Main Culprits
Bisphenol A
Phthalates
Styrofoam
Lead

22. BPA in plastics
 Bisphenol A (BPA )
 In Polycarbonate plastics(#7)
 Canned Food
 Microwaving of Plastics
 Thermal Receipts , ECG paper
 Potential Chromosomal Disorders
 Birth Defects
 Growth Retardation- Physical and Mental

23. Pthalates
 In PVC
 Implicated in Breast Cancers
 Endocrine (hormonal) Disruptions
 Liver Damage
 Attention Deficit Disorders

24. How they enter our system
•Leaching in Soil
•Direct Ingestion
•Water
•Food….Sea Food

27. Whom to Believe
 U.S. Food And Drug Administration (FDA)
 Centre for Disease Control(CDC)
 Mayo Clinic
 India No guidelines till now
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
Indian Standards Institute (ISI)

28. How Do We Protect Ourselves

29. Use Food Grade Plastic
Safe for
Food
Products

31. Microwave Safe Plastic
•Avoid Microwaving
Plastics
•Use Microwave safe
Glassware
•Always Check for
Microwave safe Symbol

32. Freezer and Dishwasher Safe
Plastics

33. REUSE

35. Alternatives to Plastics