Plastic bottles are available in almost every household
In addition to saving up and selling for money
These plastic bottles
It is also often used for “waste use”
For example, it is used to divide edible oil, cereals and so on
But you know what?
If the plastic bottle is not stored properly, it has been used for too long
It is likely to produce substances that are harmful to the human body and damage health
Can improper use of plastic bottles cause cancer?
Many friends say that the bottle marked “1” on the bottom of the plastic bottle is disposable, and if it is reused, the plasticizer contained in it is easy to precipitate, resulting in DNA mutations in the body, and even increasing the risk of certain cancers.
In fact, the “triangle + number” logo is the logo code of the plastic type developed by the American Plastics Industry Association, which can make the variety of plastic easy to identify, and the cost of recycling will be greatly reduced.
Generally, the bottom of the transparent mineral water bottle will be marked with the word “1”, its material is mainly “PET”, the full name is “polyethylene terephthalate”, this material can generally be
Heat resistant to about 70°C
The conditions of use are generally around -20 ° C to 70 ° C, this kind of plastic bottle
It is not recommended to use it excessively and repeatedly, it is best to use it once or twice and do not use it again,
But many families like to use it to hold cooking oil, seasonings, etc., and place it next to the stove, the temperature is high, which may bring health risks.
The plasticizer, in fact, is often said to be a plasticizer in life, and it is added to hard plastics mainly to increase elasticity and durability. The most commonly used in plasticizers is “phthalates (DEHP)”.
For plasticizers, as long as they meet the regulations of the world’s countries on the amount of plasticizers, residues and migrations, it is allowed to be used in the production of food packaging materials.
So, are plasticizers carcinogenic?
The Cancer Research Center under the World Health Organization lists “DEHP” as a class 2B carcinogen, and “class 2B carcinogen” mainly refers to “substances that may cause cancer to people, but the evidence is limited or insufficient”.
Although the plasticizer represented by DEHP may migrate from some plastic products to food and eventually enter the human body under certain conditions, the use of DEHP in food packaging is strictly limited, and its migration amount will not reach the dose of harm to the human body, and its carcinogenicity to the human body itself is insufficient evidence. So
“Plasticizer carcinogenic” also needs to be viewed scientifically
A table to learn about plastic products
At present, there are seven types of commonly used plastics, which exist in the following items, among which plastic products marked with 1, 2, 4 and 5 have better safety.
Material
Common products
Use caution
Polyethylene terephthalate
Beverage bottles, bottled water, daily chemical products
Heat resistant to 70 °C easy to deform, use for 10 months may release carcinogens, once or twice is safer, not recommended excessive repeated use
High-density polyethylene
Food and pharmaceutical packaging and cleaning and bath products, such as yogurt bottles, chewing gum bottles, shower gel bottles
Not easy to clean and not recommended for recycling
polyvinyl chloride
Plastic bags, table mats, toy ducklings, skipping ropes, erasers
In case of high temperature and grease, harmful substances will be released, and it is not suitable for contact with food
Low density polyethylene
Plastic wrap, plastic bags, toothpaste and other hose packaging
Avoid high temperatures and do not contact with fatty foods
polypropylene
Crisper boxes, plastic fast food boxes, straws, toys, washbasins, etc
Above 110 °C, it is easy to deform
polystyrene
Fast food boxes, transparent packaging boxes, disposable plastic tableware, etc., self-service trays, etc
Avoid high temperatures, there is a risk of “styrene” residue
other
Water cups, mineral buckets, suitcases, yoga mats, imitation porcelain tableware, etc
Except for Tritan (copolyester), do not come into contact with food
Rules for the safe use of plastic products
1. Mineral water bottle: can be filled with oil, not wine
Many people use mineral water bottles as versatile containers for wine, oil, etc.
● Plastic bottles are not too dangerous for oil, but they cannot be placed in overheated places, such as stovetops, and need to be replaced regularly.
● It is best not to pack alcohol in plastic bottles, because alcohol will dissolve plastic.
2. Plastic containers: choose no peculiar smell and no black spots
When buying plastic containers and other products, smell whether there is a scorched smell and see if there are scorched black spots. If there is, it can be basically confirmed that it is made of recycled waste, especially food packaging and other food contact or human body, as little as possible.
Try to choose a larger brand.
3. Plastic bag: choose a smooth surface and brittle sound
There are two most common materials for daily plastic bags, namely PVC (No. 3) and PE (No. 4) materials.
● PVC (No. 3): sticky and astringent to the touch, shaking with your hands is small and muffled, try not to touch food.
● PE (No. 4): It is more lubricated to the touch, tough, the sound is brittle when shaking, and the safety of contact with various foods is high, but it is not suitable for high-temperature heating, such as hot water and microwave oven.
4. Try to avoid heating
Packing boxes and lunch boxes are commonly used in daily life, and there are two main types of materials.
● Expanded polystyrene (No. 6): poor heat resistance, can not be heated.
● Polypropylene (No. 5): The lunch box is thin and transparent, allowing heating in the microwave.
However, it is difficult for ordinary consumers to distinguish between these two types of lunch boxes, and it is recommended not to microwave heating.
Source:
People’s Network Science Popularization
Editor: Guo Lei