Ask TSL: What is Silicone?

Posted on April 1st, 2008 by Alicia

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Silicone has quickly become a household name in the fall-out of toxic plastics. Its starring role begins right away as we introduce it to our babies from the day they’re born. It’s been touted as inert, toxin-free and versatile. But just what is silicone and is it really as great as it sounds?

We decided to give silicone a thorough background check. We started with Wise Geek, The Silicone Zone and Mindful Momma, then tapped into our favorite resource, Stacey Feeley of Silikids.

Wise Geek explains that silicone is often confused with silicon, which is an abundant natural element found in the earth. Silicone does contain silicon and harnesses many of its mineral properties and is composed of both organic and inorganic polymers.

The Silicone Zone gives a great background on silicone:

Silicone is a class of inorganic rubbers of various compositions and formulas made by linking silica atoms. Silicone was developed for its superior reliability, long life, and extreme temperature adaptability and stability. It will not become misshapen or break down due to extreme temperature exposure. Silicones can be found in liquid and solid form depending upon uses and curing process.

Micaela of Mindful Momma answers questions of safety and recyclability in her article Spotlight on Silicone.

Is silicone safe to use with food?

In terms of safety, silicone seems to have a good track record. It is an inert material, therefore it does not react with food or beverages, or produce any hazardous fumes. I did a lot of searching on the web and there appear to be no known health hazards associated with use of silicone kitchen products - even with baking. I just hope that’s still true in 10 years…

Is silicone recyclable?

Silicone does not decompose but it is recyclable - although probably not through your city-wide recycling program. You’ll probably have to drive to a specialty recycling facility - but then again, silicone is very durable so you won’t have to worry about disposal for a long time.

So far, the only thing I’ve seen made from recycled silicone are those stretchy bracelets that people wear for every cause known to man…but I bet there are some industrial uses for it too.

Q & A with Stacey

Why did you choose Silicone for the Silikids line of baby products?

Silicone is hygienic and hypoallergenic. Its rubber like material is safe, durable and pliable, there are no open pores to harbor bacteria.
Silicone is easy to use and to clean. Microwave or freezer safe/dishwasher and washer & dryer friendly.
Silicone does not fade or scratch.
Silicone is extreme temperature resistant.

What is the difference between food grade and medical grade silicone?

Basically, the main difference is that medical grade is specifically made so that it can stay in the body for more than 30 days. The textures vary a bit as well. Most pacifiers and bottle nipples are be made out of medical grade silicone, while cookware and food containers are made from food grade silicone. We like to use food grade because it holds up better when boiled, microwaved put in the dishwasher, etc.

Should we be concerned about using pacifiers and nipples that are made from food grade silicone?

I wouldn’t be concerned with a food grade pacifier. Many silicone spoons are as well made from food grade silicone. Either way, silicone is a very safe material.

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Filed under: Ask TSL, Expert Guest, Safer Materials, Silicone

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Echo

I would like to hear more of a discussion on why silicone is purported to be so great and "safe"? How is it different (food-grade silicone) than the silicone that was so problematic with leaking breast implants? How much testing (independent of course) has been done?

softlanding

Hi Echo,

That's a great question. When we began looking for info on silicone, that was our first question. We found several studies that seemed to show no link between health issues and silicone breast implants. One such study is "Women with Silicone Breast Implants Have No Increased Risk of Death from Most Causes" completed by the National Cancer Institute.

Our research always begins with the same basic question, "Does this material contain BPA, PVC or phthalates, known toxins/endocrine disruptors?" If not, we move to the next step and look into the material's background (which we shared in the above article).

Honestly, when we look the myriad of plastics out there, it's easy to see that we're basically having to make a choice between the least toxic options. We're surrounded by plastic - even when we use glass containers, we use plastic lids to seal them for storage.

Nothing is clear cut. We just have to give our due diligence in finding the best answer we can, then make the safest choice for our families.

By the way, this discussion isn't meant to include silicone cookware. We've haven't delved into that arena completely.

Best,

Alicia

Emilee

I too would like to see some more independent testing done. But at the same time I don't think that it is necessarily a "green" choice. As said in the article it is not easily/readily recyclable, unless maybe you find a mail in center. But also I'd like to know what the processing/manufacturing entails and what raw products are used. I'm really trying to not only get our family using "safe" products but products that are made to be easily recycled, or from recycled materials, using environmentally minded processing, and if not recyclable - biodegradable. hmm maybe we need a bamboo bottle...HAHAHAH J/K. But in the case of Bottles, I think we need to be supporting BREASTFEEDING more as well, than just supporting all these gazillion different styles and brands of bottles, that is the ULTIMATE, SAFE & GREEN choice!!! :)

Violet

I would love to see a post about silicone cookware (muffin molds, cooking utensils, etc.) I have all different kinds of black nylon (?) utensils. I am ready and willing to replace them all but I just need a good alternative!
Any ideas?
-Violet

thesoftlanding

Hi Violet,

That's a great question and one we get quite often! We've been researching and researching silicone cookware for the last six months or so. We just want to be really sure about our conclusions regarding its safety before offering our opinion.

So far we haven't found any evidence to sway us one way or another. Silicone is definitely high heat durable and free of know endocrine disruptors (BPA, phthalates), but not many scientific studies have been done on the use of silicone as bakeware at high temperatures.

The jury's still out for us at this point. There is some great discussion on the topic on Debra Lynn Dadd's website at http://www.dld123.com/q&a/index.php?cid=24 and at Care2.com http://www.care2.com/greenliving/is-silicone-ba...

We'd love to hear everyone else's thoughts!

Alicia

SafeMommy

What we do know is that several plastics are proven to be harmful, but let's not focus on what bit's known about silicone but use common sense by not overdoing the heating for sterilization , etc