Plastic labeling: is a plastic bottle dangerous?

In this article, we have collected answers to the most popular questions about plastic bottles and shakers. These questions arise for most buyers of sports containers made of plastic. Now we will discuss in detail the issues of plastic labeling, the types of plastic used and the possible danger when used in certain conditions. Let's touch on the question of whether it is possible to wash plastic shakers and bottles in the dishwasher and put them in the microwave.

Why do I need to label plastic products?

Labeling of plastic products is necessary to indicate the material from which the product is made, and the possibility of its processing or disposal. This marking can be found not only on plastic, but also on metal, paper, glass, batteries and accumulators. This marking looks like a triangular recycling symbol with a number inside. The letters under the triangle serve as additions to the numbers, duplicating and / or detailing their meaning. All these are the types of polymers used, which differ in their properties and the possibility of further processing or disposal. The most common plastics that are used most often are assigned numbers from 1 to 6. Number 7 appeared a little later and includes a fairly extensive list of polymers of different structures. 

Thus, the cherished triangle with a number does not directly indicate the quality and safety of the product, but only prescribes the possibility and method of disposal.

Types of plastics and their labeling.

1. PET (PET) 1, polyethylene terephthalate, PETG, polyethylene terephthalate-glycol.

The most common type of plastic is PET or polyethylene terephthalate. Manufacturers use this material for making bottles, bags for milk and kefir, containers for filling soft drinks and juices. It is also excellent for recycling and therefore does not pollute the environment.

Shakers and sports bottles are not made of PET plastic, at least we have not met such, but some large - volume water containers are made from its modification-PETg, that is, from polyethylene terephthalate glycol. An important advantage of PETG is that It can be used in the production of products related to food products, including for repeated use. The properties of the material allow it to contact food in accordance with modern requirements. However, PETg can also not be excessively heated and it is highly undesirable to wash such products in the dishwasher. With regard to bottles made of pet plastic, bottles with this label should only be used once, which means that they, for example, can not be washed in the dishwasher, can not be boiled, can not be poured acid or alkali and other aggressive liquids. This is due to the fact that PET 1 is not resistant to alkalis and high temperatures, it is impossible to wash and disinfect it well enough before reuse. Dangerous substances are released only when the container is heated from 240C, and in everyday conditions this is an impossible condition. Over time, PET can release phthalate. This is a dangerous substance that is used to give plastic products elasticity, strength and softness. In trace amounts of phthalate does not pose a risk. But like many poisons, it can accumulate in the body and spread throughout the body.

Another feature of pet and PETg plastics is that these plastics are among the most favorable for the reproduction of bacteria that do not belong to plastic containers, but to the remnants of the contents. For this reason, when re-using pet and PETg products, thorough washing is required in order to minimize the growth of bacteria.

2. HDPE (HDPE, HDPE) 2, high-density polyethylene (low pressure).

Manufacturers use HDPE to make bottles and other containers for the needs of the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. That is, dense and strong packages for long-term storage. This type of packaging is recyclable and recyclable. By the way, bottle caps are often made of this type of plastic and they are also ready to be recycled. This type of packaging is non-toxic and completely safe, and can also withstand high temperatures. However, it is best not to heat the package in the microwave more than once. In the sports nutrition industry, HDPE is mainly used to produce containers for powders and liquids, for example, Optimum Whey Gold Standard protein cans are made from HDPE. It is non-toxic under normal conditions. At high temperatures, it can release formaldehyde, a cancer-causing carcinogen.

3. PVC (pvz) 3, polyvinyl chloride.

PVC is not intended for contact with food. Practically non-recyclable. Thick and relatively durable. This material is intended for technical use only. PVC is hoses, stretch ceilings, pipes, oilcloths, elements of product cases (furniture, car interior). May contain dioxins, phthalates, bisphenol A, vinyl chloride, mercury, and cadmium. You can't burn it. "Plastic smell" indicates the release of gases into the air that can be dangerous to health.

4. LDPE or PELD, HDPE-low-density polyethylene, high-pressure polyethylene.

HDPE material can be used in food production. Smooth and elastic material. "Non-rustling" bags, garbage bags, toys, linoleum, tarpaulins, films, lids for bottles of 19 liters, shrink group packaging for PET bottles. The material is recyclable and recyclable. 

5. PP, PP-polypropylene.

Safe in contact with food. Can be recycled. Heat-resistant and durable. Polypropylene is the material from which about 90% of all sports shakers are made. It is used to make bottles for children, containers for food, containers for yogurt, and tubes for drinks. It is suitable for storing both hot and cold food and beverages, as it is heat-resistant. It is safe for humans, but it is recommended to wash thoroughly before reuse and use a shaker (bottle) for no more than one year.

6. PS, PS-polystyrene.

Potentially dangerous, contains styrene. The most common material of this type is foam. It is also used in the production of meat and poultry pallets, egg containers, food containers, as a packaging material for transporting electronics and other fragile goods. This material during heating releases a poison - styrene, aka carcinogen. In any case, do not send containers with a marking 6 in the microwave.

7. OTHER or O, other.

A group that includes all other plastics that are less common than the previous 6. the most popular is polycarbonate (PC). It is used to produce baby bottles and 19-liter reusable water bottles. Especially relevant is the issue of the content of bisphenol A in polycarbonate bottles for children. The Austrian Agency for health and food safety (AGES) conducted an important campaign in 2010 to test 30 infant bottles available for migration of bisphenol A. 26 of the 30 samples did not contain the chemical (all values were within the established limit). From this we can conclude that baby bottles made of polycarbonate are not dangerous, but they should be properly operated: thoroughly washed and sterilized.

At number 7 is also a popular premium material for making sports bottles and containers - Tritan. Tritan is used to make containers of a more expensive price segment, for example, blender Bottle or Nalgene sports bottles. Tritan does not contain BPA. BPA is not and has never been an ingredient or by-product of Tritan production. Extensive testing using generally accepted scientific methods confirms that the material is a plastic that does not contain bisphenol A. For more information about the safety of Tritan, see the website of the manufacturer of this plastic - Eastman Tritan ™.

In conclusion, I would like to note that almost all sports containers are made of plastics number 5 (polypropylene) or plastic number 7 (Tritan), which means that such containers are completely safe for repeated use, provided that they are regularly washed.

The blog materials were used in the preparation of this article: https://www.healthwaters.ru/blog/