Plastics are typically classified by a number from #1 to #7, each number representing a different type of resin. That number is usually imprinted on the bottom of your container; flip it upside down, and you’ll see a recycling triangle with the number in the middle.
The plastics to avoid are numbers 3, 6 and 7. Why?
#3 (polyvinyl chloride) contains softeners called phthalates that interfere with hormonal development; its manufacture and incineration release dioxin; and vinyl chloride, its primary building block, is a known human carcinogen.
#6 (polystyrene) can leach styrene (considered a possible human carcinogen) into food; and it may also disrupt hormones or affect reproduction.
And #7 (mainly polycarbonates) is composed of a hormone-disrupting chemical called bisphenol A.
The healthiest plastics are numbers 2, 4 and 5. They transmit no known chemicals into your food and they’re generally recyclable. #1 is safe for single use (for example, in disposable water bottles), but don’t reuse.
May 8, 2008 at 7:59 pm |
Thought you’d like to read this!! Ann