Comments on: PET (#1) Plastic May Leach Endocrine Disruptors

By: Lorna

Lorna — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:44:00 +0000

I am hoping someone is still reading the comments and could offer an opinion for me. . .
We are living in the Middle East and have no choice but to drink bottled water (the tap water is NOT safe). However, our only two choices are #1/PET and #7/PC bottled water (I haven’t found the supposedly safer #7/PES). Since we must drink water! and we must use bottled water, which is the lesser of the two evils–PET or PC? Please bear in mind that the water is stored and shipped in HOT conditions (136F today). We have two young boys I am most concerned about, and will be living here for two more years. Thank you for any advice you can give.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:59:00 +0000

I clean with vinegar that comes in a #1 plastic container. Does that mean it had phthalates in it that I am spreading all over my house?!?!?

By: Used Plastic Pallet

Used Plastic Pallet — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:41:33 +0000

I'm not finished read this yet, but it's so fabulous 'n I'll back again when I was finished my job

By: Sally

Sally — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:20:51 +0000

But glass leaches lead, my dear.

By: Sally

Sally — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:17:04 +0000

Mr. Sax is not a chemist. He does not know anything about PET. All of the studies he cites were of something packaged in PET, without comparison values for the material before packaging.
PET does not contain esters of orthophthalic acid (what are normally called “phthalates”). Phthalates might have been in the bottle caps or in the processing equipment in the bottling plants.
And not all PET contains antimony either.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:48:32 +0000

Hi Ed,

I appreciate you taking the time to discuss leaching chemicals and plastic! You made a couple of points that I'd like to address:

1. Yes, almost all food containers are made from copolymers, but shelf stable products are not always warehoused at low temperatures. And even if they were, I can tell you that almost everyone I know stores extra bottled water/sports drinks in a nice hot garage or car trunk. It's just not reasonable to assume that it's impossible for chemicals to leach from PET plastic. And who knows? PET may end up being as unstable as polycarbonate, which leaches under low temperatures.

2. I too am concerned about microwaving any type of plastic, but especially PET food containers. What alternatives are you speaking of? If plastic, I can't speak to whether they're worse or not. I do know that silicone is highly stable and is microwavable (see my comment on glass below).

3. In all my research, I've never come across an aluminum can lined with PVC. The lining used is a BPA-based spray on epoxy.

4. Styrene is certainly one chemical to avoid when in its singular form or in polystyrene or styrofoam. However, styrene as a part of SAN has been shown to be a particularly stable plastic - at this point anyway.

5. Glass is very durable when used correctly and I highly recommend it. A little common sense goes a long way to prevent breakage hazards. Glass is also very affordable and lasts for many, many years. I'm still using my Grandma's Pyrex dishes from 50 years ago!

Alicia

By: Ed Byrne

Ed Byrne — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:23:04 +0000

Almost all food and beverage containers are made of copolymer and stored at relatively low temperatures. Leaching is almost impossible for those items. I am concerned, however, about microwaveable containers made of PET. Most of the alternatives are worse. Aluminum cans are lined with PVC, a known carcinigen; styrene is a known carcinigen and it is useally loaded with residual monomers; the chemicals used to treat paper packaging are really toxic. The only remaining option is glass and then you have the safety hazards associated with broken glass.

By: Mkokopelli

Mkokopelli — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:57:05 +0000

What do you think about the fabrics being made out of recycled PET plastics? I was looking at a doll that was stuffed with recycled PET. Do you think that could be dangerous?

By: Glass Dharma

Glass Dharma — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:33:48 +0000

We live in such a chemical world, it will take time but awareness is always the first step. in the meantime, I will avoid plastics whenever possible for so many reasons…

By: Alicia

Alicia — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:24:46 +0000

I know – so frustrating!

Green to Grow bottles are made from PES, so they're perfectly fine.