More on plastic dangers - two good articles.

[Guest guest]

'Prolonged use of plastic products can be harmful'

By Asma Ali Zain

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2006/April/theu\

ae_April317.xml & section=theuae & col=

9 April 2006

DUBAI — Caveat emptor - May the buyer, or in this case the consumer, beware:

Several health diseases including cancer, birth defects or genetic changes could

well be the result of prolonged use of common plastic products, according to

doctors and research analysts. As the controversial debate over the risks of

using plastic cups heats up, they also say that even the use of plastic

packaging products, which are commonly used in the UAE, are also harmful for

users.

“Apart from posing certain health risks that are inevitable during the

manufacturing process of plastic, the subsequent use of packaging products is

also harmful as certain chemicals get transferred from the plastic packaging to

the foods they contain,” cautioned Dr Delia Fayyad from Jebel Ali Hospital.

Said Dr Delia, quoting references from the Environment Ecology Centre: “The

common adverse health effects related to plastic products are numerous but they

can be avoided if alternatives to plastic are found.”

Examples of plastics contaminating food have been reported with most plastic

types, including styrene from polystyrene, plasticisers from PVC, antioxidants

from polyethylene, and acetaldehyde from PET bottles used commonly for

beverages.

She said polyvinylchloride can cause cancer, birth defects, genetic changes,

chronic bronchitis, ulcers, skin diseases, deafness, vision failure,

indigestion, and liver dysfunction, while polyethylene (PET) is a suspected

human carcinogen and polystyrene can irritate eyes, nose and throat and can

cause dizziness and unconsciousness. Elevated rates of lymphatic and

hematopoietic cancers for workers could also be a possible outcome,” she says.

Giving her recommendations to avoid such ailments, Dr Delia, outlined some

specific suggestions: “Buy food in glass or metal containers, avoid heating food

in plastic containers or storing fatty foods in plastic containers or plastic

wraps, do not give young children plastic teethers or toys, use natural fibre

clothing in bedding and furniture and in general avoid use of all PVC and

styrene products.

Dr Suraiwan Wenbzel, a research analyst from Dubiotech, Dubai Biotechnology

and Research Parks, said: “There are many types of plastics, and not each type

is suitable for use in relation with products meant for human consumption.” In

addition, to creating safety problems during production, many chemical additives

that give plastic products their desirable performance properties also have

negative environmental and human health effects. "

Plastics are synthetic substances produced by engineering chemical reactions.

Almost all plastics are made from petroleum, except a few experimental resins

derived from corn and other organic substances. Plastic has many properties

which has made it a raw material of choice for manufacturers of plastic bags and

packing materials.

The (usually low) cost of production, light weight, strength, easy

manufacturing processes , and wide availability are few of its other

advantageous properties. There is nothing wrong with plastic as a material.

“Man has simply not put plastics to the right use — or uses it without taking

proper precautionary care,” says Dr Delia.

 

 

Plasticizer in everyday products might pose serious health risk

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/homegarden/homegarden.php?story=dispatch/2006/04\

/09/20060409-I6-00.html

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Rosemary Sadez Friedmann

SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE

Have you heard about phthalates? Most health-conscious people

will say they’ve at least seen something about them. Phthalates (pronounced

THAY-lates) are petroleum-derived plasticizers that are used to make PVC plastic

soft and pliable and to release synthetic fragrances into the air. The

plasticizers are found in shower curtains, toys, food wraps, fingernail polish,

air fresheners and even hair sprays. They leach out of the product, so we

inhale or ingest them if we eat foods stored in PVC containers or plastic wraps.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has found that phthalates are so widespread

that they probably are present in everyone’s body. An effect of high exposure to

phthalates could be asthma and other respiratory problems. Phthalates also are

associated with breast, uterine, testicular, prostate and other cancers. In

general, plasticizers in our air and food act like a monkey wrench in the usual

chemistry of hormones. The U.S.

National Toxicology Program claims that insignificant evidence exists as of now

that phthalates cause human harm, but many people try to avoid them, pending

further investigations, whenever possible. So what does this have to do with

interior design? Plenty. Phthalates are also found in household furnishings

such as flooring, furniture and countertops. Alternatives are available, though.

Natural materials can be purchased and are more readily available because many

consumers have become increasingly aware of the dangers of many plastic

chemicals as well as other toxins. When buying furnishings or remodeling,

consider opting for non-PVC flooring. Use natural materials such as cork,

concrete, ceramic tile, wood and bamboo. Search for products that are made

without phthalates. Ask your architect, builder or designer for alternative

products for your home that don’t contain phthalates. You can research some

products. Some helpful Web sites include

www.thegreenguide.com and www.environmentalhomecenter.com. Another site is

www.usgb.org (the U.S. Green Building Council). This site is full of information

on healthybuilding products. Some food-storage products have less toxic

materials. Choose containers labeled with recycling codes 2, 4 or 5. They still

have phthalates but not as much as other plastic containers. Some plastic wraps

are phthalate-free, including Glad Cling Wrap, Saran Cling Plus and Best Yet

Clear Plastic Wrap. If the product says " stretchy " or " flexible, " it probably

contains phthalates. When purchasing household cleaners, read the labels and

choose cleaners that specifically list plant-essential oils. Those do not

contain phthalates.

 

 

 

" Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest

of life by the power of the spirit. " - Aurobindo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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