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Polycarbonate is the main one you want to stay away from. That leaches Bisphenol-A. Here's how to tell if your plastic is polycarbonate. Look on the bottom of your plastic container. If it's got a 7 inside the little triangular recycle symbol, that's either polycarbonate or "other" (indicating an unknown mix of different plastics). This plastic leaches toxins much faster if it's exposed to hot liquids, by the way.
PVC, denoted by the 3, uses BPA somewhat.
Also, so do epoxy resins. Look at epoxy resins like the popular JB Weld epoxy next time you're at Home Depot. The epoxy tube is Bisphenol-A-polyglycidyl ether. So, probably not a great idea to use this product around Plumbing where it might leech into your drinking water supply. The same may also hold true for some types of pvc.
Plastics that don't have BPA are polyethylene, a very common plastic, which is used in 2-liter soda bottles, and has a 1 inside the triangular recycle symbol,
HDPE (High-density polyethylene), a somewhat less common plastic that's used in gallon milk jugs, and is denoted by the number 2,
LDPE (4) - Low density polyethylene (plastic bags)
More information on BPA can be found here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A
Another toxin to be aware of is phthalates, which can cause cancer, and hormonal imbalances, Allergies, and mutation of the genitals in children. They're used in a lot of plastics and vinyl to make it flexible, and they not only leach through usage in food-type usages, it has also been shown that phthalate levels increase even when they're used externally, so it may be possible that this toxin can be absorbed through the skin. They're used in cars, children's toys, PVC as denoted by the "3" on the plastic recycling stamp, sex toys, and medical devices like IV tubes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate
There is another dangerous toxin known as antimony. It is found in PET plastics (denoted by the number 1, also called Polyethylene), and is released in much higher concentrations with heat. So if you leave your plastic water bottles inside of a hot car during the summer, this poison is getting into the water. Here's an ASU study done by us Arizona folks that found that the PET water jugs that people use in Phoenix can leach dangerous levels of this when folk store polyethylene water jugs in their garages.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17707454
What else can I help you with?
Will toxins leach out of plastic wrap into food when microwaved?
Think about this one- Does different types of plastic matter? (plastic wrap vs. hard plastic) Or do all plastics leach toxins?
What is impact of non-biodegradable waste on environment?
Non-biodegradable waste has a very harmful effect on the environment. Non-biodegradable products take many years to decompose, and cause more and more land to be used for landfills. Toxins from plastics leach into ground water causing contamination.
What are the safest plastics for everyday use?
The safest plastics for everyday use are typically labeled with recycling codes 2, 4, and 5, which correspond to HDPE, LDPE, and PP plastics. These plastics are considered safe for food and beverage storage as they are less likely to leach harmful chemicals.
Is oxybenzone in cheese?
Oxybenzone or benzophenone-3 can leach from food packaging into food as it is used in some plastics to protect them from UV breakdown.
What happens if you burn a plastic army soldier?
It melts and releases toxins into the air, as all plastics do when they melt and burn.
Can start a fire with plastic?
Yes, you can, but is strongly not recommended. Plastic smokes heavily when burned, releasing toxins. Different plastics release different toxins. Breathing the smoke of a plastic fire is dangerous as well due to the oily soot that is in the smoke.Do not burn plastic in a campfire.Fires that have caught in manufacturing facilities plastics are particularly difficult for firefighters to extinguish. The smoke that many plastics release when burned can be flammable as well.
Why should you ban harmful plastics in food and drink containers?
Banning harmful plastics, such as Bisphenol A, from food and drink containers is important. Bisphenol A has been proven to cause cancer. When food is heated in plastic containers the plastics heat up as well and leach into the food. Plastic leaching also happens when water bottles warm in the sun.
What are the demerits of using plastic?
Typically plastic do not break down and therefore are not environmentally friendly.Plastic bottles and some containers tend to leach toxins when heated put through different temperature changes.For example, freezing a water bottle and then drinking from it as it thaws changes the plastic and then contaminates the water.Another disadvantage to using plastic is that most are not recyclable in most parts of the world.
How does trash effect water?
Trash can significantly harm water quality by introducing pollutants and toxins into aquatic ecosystems. When litter, plastics, and chemicals enter waterways, they can leach harmful substances, disrupt aquatic life, and degrade habitats. Additionally, trash can block waterways, leading to flooding and further contamination of water sources. This pollution ultimately affects not only wildlife but also human health and access to clean water.
Do plastic objects cause holes in the ozone layer?
Plastic objects on burning release various gases.These gases are the ones that reach the atmosphere. They cause depletion there.Yes they do. Plastics release toxins causing hole in ozone.
What toxins does garbage release?
Garbage can release toxins such as methane gas (from decomposition of organic matter), leachate (contaminated liquid), and harmful chemicals from plastics and other materials. These toxins can pollute air, soil, and water sources, posing environmental and health risks. Proper waste management and recycling can help reduce the release of these toxins.
What kind of plastics are used in microwave?
Microwavable plastics typically include polypropylene (PP), which has a high melting point and is resistant to heat, and polyethylene (PE), specifically low-density polyethylene (LDPE) for some containers. These plastics are designed to withstand microwave temperatures without melting or releasing harmful chemicals. It's important to check for microwave-safe labels on containers, as not all plastics are suitable for microwave use. Avoid using plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polystyrene (PS) in the microwave, as they can warp or leach harmful substances.
