Which Types of Plastic Are Safest?
Plastic is becoming an environmental nightmare – but we are learning that it may be a health nightmare as well. The graphic below shows which types of plastic are safest, and which you should try to avoid.
We are probably all aware of the fact that plastics pose a problem for the environment. Since only some are recyclable, and even recycling itself is an energy-intensive process, disposing of plastic is quickly becoming a major environmental issue. Not only that, but research now shows a growing number of health concerns related to our constant use of plastics.
Plastic is found literally everywhere in our homes these days – from carpets to curtains, bottles to bags, food wrappers, eating and drinking utensils, and even the linings of canned goods. Many chemicals can leach from these plastic items over time, some of which have been linked to a wide range of health concerns, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and reproductive abnormalities, as well as nervous system and brain disorders.
But some types of plastic are more dangerous than others. The worst effects that we know of at this time are typically related to plastics containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC #3), polystyrene (PS #6), polycarbonate (Other #7), and bisphenol A (BPA).
The graphic below shows the common types of plastics, what they are typically used for, and what known health risks are associated with each type, so that you can become aware of which types are most important to avoid in your daily environment.
And stay tuned for some simple tips coming soon on how to reduce your plastic use!
Source: Fix.com Blog
