🔴Hazard alert! ⚠ Know the 7 types of plastic and its Severity!

The 7 types of plastic and their Severity!

Which Plastic code is the more Hazard to use?

Now, it has been established that these seven plastic resins identifying codes have different toxicity levels. Although the best is to avoid plastic usage at all, if you have to use it, there are certain codes that are safer than the others. Generally, codes 2, 4, and 5 are better than codes 1, 3, 6, and 7. Here's the list of products that each code comprises.

 

1.Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) is a general-purpose thermoplastic polymer that belongs to the polyester family of polymers. Polyester resins are known for their excellent combination of properties such as mechanical, thermal, chemical resistance as well as dimensional stability.

Application of Polyethylene Terephthalate

·         Because Polyethylene Terephthalate is an excellent water and moisture barrier material, plastic bottles made from PET are widely used for mineral water and carbonated soft drinks

·         Its high mechanical strength makes Polyethylene Terephthalate films ideal for use in tape applications

·         Non-oriented PET sheet can be thermoformed to make packaging trays and blisters

·         It's chemical inertness, together with other physical properties have made it particularly suitable for food packaging applications

·         Other packaging applications include rigid cosmetic jars, microwavable containers, transparent films, etc.

Is it Hazard?

Yes, Most Dangerous

Continuous usage may contribute to

·         cancer development,

·         skin problems,

·         menstrual and pregnancy issues,

·         phthalates are endocrine disruptors.

Safe Usage Method

    Use One time, usually considered safe for usage in a limited quantity

 2. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a cost-effective thermoplastic with linear structure and no or low degree of branching. It is manufactured at low temperature (70-300°C) and pressure (10-80 bar) & derived from either:

Modifying natural gas (a methane, ethane, propane mix) or

The catalytic cracking of crude oil into gasoline

Application of High-Density Polyethylene

·         Polyethene’s, opaque containers of milk, juice and water, some medicine bottles, shampoo, and detergent bottles, cereal boxes

Is it Hazard?

No

Relatively SAFER

Although it is usually considered safe for usage in limited quantity, studies have shown that code 2 plastics can leach nonylphenol, especially when exposed to sunlight, which is an endocrine disruptor.

3.Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl) is an economical and versatile thermoplastic polymer widely used in building and construction industry to produce door and window profiles, pipes (drinking and wastewater), wire and cable insulation, medical devices, etc. It is the world’s third largest thermoplastic material by volume after polyethylene and polypropylene.

Applications of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

PVC used in toys, packaging, etc., bottles of mouthwash, shampoo and squeeze bottles, oil jars, shower curtains, used in flooring, carpet backing, loose-leaf binders, wire insulation, window frames and other construction materials, medical tubes, blood bags

Is it Hazard?

Yes

It is the most toxic and the most harmful form of plastic. It contains bisphenol A (BPA), lead, phthalates, mercury, dioxins, and cadmium. It can cause endocrine disruption, ADHD, asthma, and allergies in children and is also known to be carcinogenic in nature, contributing to various types of cancer, such as that of the breast. If it is burnt, it releases dioxins, one of the most toxic chemicals known. They can cause cancers and are organic pollutants.

4.Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is a semi-rigid and translucent polymer. Compared to HDPE, it has a higher degree of short and long side-chain branching. It is produced at high pressure (1000-3000 bar; 80-300°C) via free radical polymerization process.

 

The LDPE is composed of 4,000-40,000 carbon atoms, with many short branch

Applications of Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)

Film applications, bags for grocery, bread, frozen food and garbage, beverage cups, squeeze bottles, food containers, wire cables

Is it Hazard?

No

Comparatively safer, however, it is still known to leach endocrine disruptor nonylphenol, particularly under sunlight.

5.Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene is a tough, rigid, and crystalline thermoplastic produced from propene (or propylene) monomer. It is a linear hydrocarbon resin. The chemical formula of polypropylene is (C3H6)n. PP is among the cheapest plastics available today.

Applications of Polypropylene (PP)

Food containers, such as cheese, yogurt, ketchup and syrups, bottle caps, straws, baby bottles, diapers, sanitary pads, many parts in appliances and cars

Is it Hazard?

No

This type is relatively safe and stable but can leach plastic additives and has been linked with the causation of occupational asthma.

6.Polystyrene (PS)

Polystyrene (PS) is a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon polymer made from the monomer known as styrene. Polystyrene can be solid or foamed. General-purpose polystyrene is clear, hard, and rather brittle. It is an inexpensive resin per unit weight. It is a rather poor barrier to oxygen and water vapor and has a relatively low melting point. Polystyrene is one of the most widely used plastics, the scale of its production being several million tons per year. Polystyrene can be naturally transparent but can be colored with colorants.

Applications of Polystyrene (PS)

Egg cartons, food packaging, and containers, disposable cutlery, CDs and DVDs, medicine bottles, hangers, test tubes, smoke detectors, Petri dishes

Is it Hazard?

Yes

Code 6 plastics can leach styrene, a chemical that is also present in secondhand cigarette smoke, which is known to be a carcinogen. It can also impact one's nervous system and brain. Some studies that were conducted on animals also showed that code 6 plastics can harm lungs, liver, genes and negatively affect one's immune system.

7.Polycarbonate (PC).

It is called the other (O), which refers to all other plastics, contains Polycarbonate (PC).

Applications of Polycarbonate (PC).

Water bottles, water storage containers, baby bottles, cups, baking bags, ketchup and juice containers, eyeglass lenses, car parts, CDs, DVDs, lab equipment

Is it Hazard?

Yes, Most Dangerous

Plastics with PC can leach bisphenol A (BPA), which is an endocrine disruptor and can affect one's estrogen hormones. it can affect sperm production in men and chromosomes in women, can lead to disruption in puberty, affect one's behavior, immunity, neurological functions, and even cardiovascular health. It is also carcinogenic in nature and can cause breast cancer and prostate cancer. It is also responsible for infertility, diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders, and resistance to chemotherapy.