| Is There A Safe Plastic?
Whether any plastics are safe to use in baby and toddler products is a concern shared by many parents. Unfortunately, you really can't prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that something like a chemical is safe. How could you ever completely account for the multitude of permutations and possiblities?
You can, however, demonstrate that something is dangerous or potentially dangerous, and certain plastics fall comfortably within this zone. The charts below show what we know as of June 2010.
Unsafe Plastics |
| Recycle # |
Name |
Leach? |
Found In |
Reasons to avoid |
| #3 |
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) |
Yes |
shower curtians, plumbing materials, commercial grade plastic wraps (i.e., the kind you might find in grocery store deli's), plastic toys (Congress recently banned the use in plastic toys) |
PVC is a know human carcinogen
PVC can also cause reproductive and developmental damage
|
| #6 |
PS (Polystyrene) |
Unknown |
foam and some clear takeout containers |
PS is classified by the EPA as a possible human carinogen |
| #7 |
PC (Polycarbonate) |
Yes-leaches BPA |
hard plastics such as: water bottles, sippy cups, baby bottles, lining in some metal cans and sometimes in 5 gallon water jugs |
PC is made with BPA which is known to leach estrogen into food or drink. BPA is a hormone disrupter and can also effect the prostate and mammary gland which may cause cancer in humans. |
Safe Plastics |
| Recycle # |
Name |
Leach? |
Found In |
Reasons to Avoid |
| #1 |
PET or PETE (Polyethlene) |
not known to leach |
clear softer plastics such as: water bottles, soda bottles and ketchup bottles |
PET or PETE should only be used once and then recycled |
| #2 |
HDPE (High Density Polyethelene) |
not known to leach |
cloudy colored plastics, milkjugs, shampoo bottles |
HDPE - as with all plastics, avoid microwaving |
| #4 |
LDPE (Low Density Polyethelene) |
not known to leach |
re-usable food and drink containers, storage bags, and garbage bags |
LDPE - as with all plastics, avoid microwaving |
| #5 |
PP (Polypropylene) |
not known to leach |
tuperware (certain types), rigid containers, some takeout containers |
PP - as with all plastics, avoid microwaving |
|
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