Part 4 of 5
Navigating Triangle Codes in Plastics
I’d still work towards only exposing your food and drink to inert surfaces like glass, stainless steel, ceramic, and so on, but using plastic number five can help you get there. When shopping for this, you have to search for polypropylene tableware or polypropylene serveware online and look for the five code or the word polypropylene in the packaging or the product itself. Code five is recyclable. So in plastics, strive for five.
Number six, PS. This is polystyrene. You’ll recognize it as styrofoam. Foam plates, cups, coolers, packing material, egg cartons, those disposable takeaway containers. Now from an estrogenic viewpoint, pretty much a non-issue. It doesn’t have those problems, but polystyrene can leach styrene, a known toxin when it’s warmed up, and it’s usually used for hot foods because of its insulating ability, but I’d stay away from this one. Believe it or not, it’s recyclable. Nix six.
Number seven, other. This is where everything goes that doesn’t fit under any other code. Things that are made of BPA go here. So it’s a flat reject. Common uses, bottles, water bottles, and sadly, baby milk bottles. Even if it says BPA-free, the substitutes are likely as bad or worse. Go recycle it into an outside doormat or something. With seven, you won’t thrive. Nothing past five. I know, the rhymes are getting bad. Good thing we’re done.
Although it doesn’t fall under a code because it’s not a plastic resin, let me say something about silicone. I guess I wasn’t very clear about this because people are asking yes or no on silicone. Silicone’s a great option and safe to warm, cool, or store food in. No chemical leaching, except possibly when you cook with it at temperatures above 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
References:
PS
PMID: 17915704 Leaching of styrene and other aromatic compounds in drinking water from PS bottles
PMID: 36181812 Understanding plasticiser leaching from polystyrene microplastics.
PMID: 34065221An Insight into the Growing Concerns of Styrene Monomer and Poly(Styrene) Fragment Migration into Food and Drink Simulants from Poly(Styrene) Packaging
Platinum cured silicone vs peroxide cured
https://silicone.co.uk/news/difference-platinum-peroxide-curing/ Accessed 12/2/22
https://www.mtgspa.com/en/benefits-platinum-cured-silicone/ Accessed 12/1/22
#7 Other
BPA and it's substitutes
PMID: 34069744 BPA, BPAF and TMBPF Alter Adipogenesis and Fat Accumulation in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells, with Implications for Obesity
PMID: 28159674 Extranuclear-initiated estrogenic actions of endocrine disrupting chemicals: Is there toxicology beyond paracelsus?
PMID: 29104009 A plurality of molecular targets: The receptor ecosystem for bisphenol-A (BPA)
PMID: 34901887 Teratogenicity and toxicity of the new BPA alternative TMBPF, and BPA, BPS, and BPAF in chick embryonic development
“Tritan®,” by Eastman Company, found in Nalgene® water bottles and labeled BPA free, is an amorphous copolyester that falls into category 7. (Leaches other estrogenics)
PMID: 25477047 Chemicals having estrogenic activity can be released from some bisphenol A-free, hard and clear, thermoplastic resins
Platinum cured silicone vs peroxide cured https://silicone.co.uk/news/difference-platinum-peroxide-curing/ Accessed 12/2/22 https://www.mtgspa.com/en/benefits-platinum-cured-silicone/ Accessed 12/1/22