It is undeniable that plastic is inexpensive and unbreakable, making it convenient for storing and preserving food, especially when you are traveling. However, despite these qualities, plastic is made with a multitude of chemicals dangerous to health.
What is the danger of plastic containers?
It depends on the plastic products you use because the plastic may contain phthalates. These are a group of dangerous "gender-transforming" chemicals, that is, males of many species become more female.
These chemicals can disrupt the endocrine systems (hormone balance) of animals, causing testicular cancer, genital deformities, low sperm count, and infertility in many species, including polar bears, deer, whales, and otters .
In humans, phthalates have been associated with several problems, including premature labor and neurobehavioural problems in infants after in utero exposure, according to a study conducted by the University of Waterloo Public Health School. Michigan and Harvard Medical School. It has also been found that phthalates cause high urinary levels associated with insulin resistance and can lead to diabetes.
Plastic containers may also contain bisphenol-A (BPA) or any of these alternative chemicals, such as BPS, or bisphenol B, C, E, F, G, M, P, PH, TMC and Z.
Although these alternative chemicals have not been widely studied, BPA is recognized as an endocrine disruptor, it has been associated with a number of health problems, especially in pregnant women, fetuses and young children, but also in adults.
What else is hiding in plastic?
Plastic food packaging that can be used to wrap cheese or other deli products can be made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), known to cause cancer, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has also determined that polyvinyl chloride is carcinogenic to humans. The manufacture of PVC also leads to the formation of dioxin, another carcinogen.
Styrofoam trays, egg cartons and opaque plastic utensils may contain another chemical known as styrene, classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in group 2B, that is, to say a product that can be carcinogenic to humans.
Warming speeds up the passage of chemicals in your food
In a US study conducted in 2011, researchers tested common plastic products, 70% of them had estrogenic activity, which means they are able to disrupt the hormonal levels of the human body. However, these results were in laboratory conditions.
In real-life conditions, such as passing plastics through a dishwasher or heating them in a microwave oven, 95% of plastic products tested positive for hormone-disrupting estrogen activity.
With regular use, such as washing in the dishwasher and scratches, the rate of chemical infiltration increases, but heat remains the greatest hazard, increasing up to 55 times the rate of chemical transfer.
More risk of high blood pressure
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that all plastic containers used in the microwave oven be labeled for use in the microwave oven.
Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) have been touted as safer alternatives, but they have also been linked to health problems, including high blood pressure, according to a study by 2015 conducted by the Medical School of New York University.
Finally, it is important to know that plastic that is safe for microwaves does not exist. There are a lot of chemicals that could potentially seep into your food, and it's hard to know which ones are tested and found safe for consumption.
On the other hand, here is what you can do to reduce your exposure to these chemicals.
Tips to reduce your chemical exposure at home
- Do not risk your health by unnecessarily exposing yourself to toxins, especially in your food stored in plastic containers, moreover, these measures will help you avoid these dangerous substances:
- Purchase containers in the form of boxes, bottles or glass jars instead of plastic, and store your food and beverages, and avoid using plastic food wrap as well.
- Use glass bottles and avoid plastic cups for your children.
- Look for products made by companies that are eco-friendly, animal-friendly, non-toxic or 100% organic.
- And above all, avoid the use of the microwave oven because it has been scientifically proven that it can cause various diseases
