Plastics
We are ingesting huge amounts of microplastics every day. It has been estimated that on average we may eat upto 5g of microplastics each week - that's about a credit card worth!
Most microplastics are consumed through our food and the products we use, such as paper cups and straw, tea bag, plastic bottles, food packaging, etc.. We do not consume these products directly but they are made with significant amounts of plastic in them and this plastic leaches out into our food. For example, it has been estimated that using a tea bag to brew tea could release literally millions of microplastic particles into your tea. Increasing the contact time and/or increasing the temperature will increase the amount of microplastics leaching into the food.
Microplastics can cause all sorts of health issues including Neurodegenerative Diseases, Inflammation, Endocrine Disruption, Cancer and the list goes on. A lot of the plastic will pass through the body but some will accumulate in the blood and tissue. Some plastics are worse than others but, as a rule of thumb, try and avoid them all.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
HDPE is one of the very few (or only) safe plastics to be used to hold food stuffs. It is stable and should not leach or contaminate it contents under normal working conditions.
Polythene
- Carcinogenic
- Endocrine disruption
PP (Polypropylene)
- Inflammation
- Local immune response.
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
- Toxic chemicals leaching (Antimony and Phthalates)
- Endocrine disruption
- Cancer risk
- Reproductive toxicity
- Respiratory issues
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and PUR (Polyurethane)
- Cancer
- Reproductive toxicity
- Neurological damage
PLA, Bioplastics (Polylactic Acid)
- Toxic
- Inflammation
-
Tissue damage
BPA (Bisphenol A)
Found in some plastics and on many till receipts from supermarkets and other shops.
- Neurological damage
- Prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children
PS (Polystyrene)
- Carcinogenic
Links:
Key to symbols
Non toxic.
Danger, Toxic.
Endocrine Disruptor, affects the hormonal and chemical balance.
Neurotoxin, affects the brain and nervous system.
Poisonous.
Cancer risk.
Reproductive issues.
Heart risk.
Inflamation.
Skin irritation.
