What Are the Dangers of Plastics as Food Packaging?

Plastic is used in a wide variety of food packaging ranging from plastic wraps to bottles and containers. Many of the foods purchased in the supermarket are packaged in plastics that are linked to health problems. Knowing which foods are packed in what kind of plastic allows the consumer to make an informed choice.

Polyethylene Terephthalate

• Polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET or PETE, is used in containers for soft drinks, water and juice, as well as salad containers and peanut butter jars. This type of plastic may leach the chemical known as antimony trioxide. Workers exposed to this chemical for long periods of time have exhibited skin and respiratory irritations. Female workers show an increase in the incidence of miscarriage and menstrual problems. Other health dangers include reproductive and liver problems, and there are links to cancer. Liquids left in a container over a period of time have the potential to release antimony into the liquid, according to the Life Without Plastic website.

Polyvinyl Chloride

• Polyvinyl chloride, also commonly known as PVC, contains phthalates, a toxic chemical. PVC is used in clear food packaging, cooking oil containers and peanut butter jars. According to Life Without Plastic, Polyvinyl chloride has been described as one of the most hazardous products created. Depending on the softener or plasticizer used, PVC is an endocrine disruptor mimicking the female hormone estrogen, may cause certain types of cancer, has been linked to allergies and asthma in children and may negatively affect the kidney, liver, spleen, body weight and bone formation.

Polystyrene

• Polystyrene is used in egg cartons, take-out food containers, disposable coffee containers and the packaging of cheese and meats in the supermarket. Polystyrene leaches styrene, also known as vinyl benzene, an endocrine disruptor that mimics the female hormone estrogen and can potentially cause developmental and reproductive problems. Long-term exposure has shown nervous system and brain problems in workers. Heating oily food in a polystyrene container causes styrene to migrate significantly into the contents of the container. Drinking hot coffee from a Styrofoam cup will also increase the release of styrene.

Polycarbonates

• Polycarbonates contain the chemical bisphenol-A, also known as BPA. According to the Bad Plastics website, BPA has been banned for use in most plastic in Canada and the European Union but not in the United States. Polycarbonates are found in baby bottles, food and drink containers, sports bottles and water cooler bottles. BPA is an endocrine disruptor which mimics the female hormone estrogen. Additional health dangers include behavioral and neural effects, insulin resistance, genetic damage, heart disease and inflammation.