Health effects of plastic bottles in our daily life can not be ignored. We are using plastic in various ways. Drinking water, packaged food, thing's packaging and many other ways. Actually, plastic becomes an integral part of our daily life. But, there are many ways by which plastic destroying our life and our environment.
We use plastic bottles in our daily life and routine. Soft drinks, packaged drinking water comes in plastic bottles. Sometimes we use these plastic bottles a number of times without knowing the facts behind the plastic bottle uses. Plastic can effect development and fertility among us. It can causes diseases in adults. It also make easy to exposure with bacteria.
What is so important in a plastic bottle which can affect health? The answer lies in the numbering system of plastic types.
Every plastic bottle have a numbering system in the base which is surrounded by chasing arrows. Actually, it shows the recycle property of the plastic.
As shown in the image below, the number is at the center of the chasing arrows.
image source:- Wikipedia
This numbering system guide is developed by the Society of the Plastic Industry or SPI.
Plastic bottles or containers generally made from the processes known as Blow Molding and Injection Molding. Injection molding process is used to create many things such as wire spools, packaging, bottle caps, automotive parts and components. Injection molding is the most common modern method of manufacturing plastic parts. While the blow molding process is used to produce necked bottles.
Plastic bottles numbers start from 1 and goes to 7. These numbers represents the resins used in the plastic bottles manufacturing.
So, What do the numbers mean and how can it affect your health?
Number 1 :-
What is It?
If this number is on the base of the bottle which you are using, it means it is a PET bottle. PET stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate.What are the uses?
PET bottles mostly and generally used in soft drinks and drinking water bottles.Can It Be recycle?
PET can be recycled into fiber fill for sleeping bags, carpet fibers, rope, pillows etc.Health Effect of using PET bottles
PET bottles do not contain bisphenol A (BPA) or phthalates, it does contain any possible human carcinogen (A carcinogen is any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that promotes carcinogenesis, the formation of cancer). Also, harmful bacteria can build up in it as you reuse it. You have also noticed on the label of the drinking water bottle mentioning that crush it after use.Number 2 :-
What is it?
Number 2 indicates the type of bottle is HDPE and HDPE stands for High Density Polyethylene. It is most widely used resin and naturally translucent and flexible.What are the uses?
HDPE plastic bottle found in milk jugs, butter tubs, detergent bottles etc. Food storage containers are commonly made from HDPE resins.Can it Be recycle?
HDPE can by recycle into flower pots, trash cans, traffic barrier, cons, detergent bottles etc.Health Effect of using HDPE bottles
Type 2 plastic i.e. HDPE neither contains bisphenol A (BPA) nor phthalates. Generally it is considered safe for food and drink use. It is considered safe to use but is is advisable to use type 2 plastic bottles with limited use.Number 3 :-
What is it?
Type 3 bottles are made from PVC ( Polyvinyl chloride) and you can found letter V printed on the base of the bottles. This material is chemically resistant, but it is vulnerable to some solvents. PVC has poor resistance to high temperatures and will distort at 160 °F or 71 °C, making it incompatible with hot-filled products like hot milk or water. It has attained a bad reputation in recent years due to potential health risks.What are the uses?
It is used in shampoo bottles, cooking oil bottles and fast food serving items.Can it Be recycle?
PVC bottles/plastic can be recycled in drainage and irrigation pipes.Health Effect of using PVC bottles
Number 4 :-
What is it?
LDPE or Low density Polyethylene is the type 4 plastic. It is similar to HDPE in composition. It is less rigid and generally less chemically resistant than HDPE, but is more translucent. LDPE is significantly more expensive than HDPE.What are the uses?
LDPE found in grocery bags, bread bags, shrink wraps, margarine tub tops etc.Can it Be recycle?
LDPE can recycled into new grocery bags.Health Effect of using PVC bottles
Number 5 :-
What is it?
Type 5 bottles are made from PP or Polypropylene. It is flexible and semi transparent. One major advantage of polypropylene is its stability at high temperatures, up to 220 °F (104 °C). The compatibility of PP with high filling temperatures is responsible for its use with hot fill products. PP shows good chemical resistance, but provides poor impact resistance in cold temperatures.What are the uses?
It is used in yogurt containers, straws, pancake syrup bottles, bottle caps etc. Microwave safe plastic utensils are made from polypropylene.Can it Be recycle?
PP can be recycled into car battery cases, plastic lumber, manhole step etc.Health Effect of using PVC bottles
Number 6 :-
What is it?
Type 6 plastic are made from PS or polystyrene. It offers excellent clarity and stiffness at an economical cost.What are the uses?
It is used in disposable hot cups, packaging material for peanuts, meat trays etc.Can it Be recycle?
It can be recycled in to plastic lumber, cassette tape boxes, flower pots etc.Health Effect of using PVC bottles
Number 7 :-
What is it?
Type 7 is usually a mixture of various kinds of plastic. Polycarbonate falls into this category.What are the uses?
It is used in a squeezable ketchup bottles.Can it Be recycle?
Unlike others it can not be recycled because it is a mixture of plastics.Health Effect of using PVC bottles
Now you understand the all 7 types of plastics used in the industry and at our home. Type 2, 4 and 5 considered to be safe to use. Type 1, 3, 6 and 7 should be avoided to use. You have seen type 1 bottles around you in mineral water bottles, use it and crush it. Plastic is also harmful for our environment so use them carefully.
Resources:-
1. Wikipedia.
2. google.
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