BPA and phthalates are not the only chemicals known to leach from plastic containers. A study by Maqbool Ahmad was published in the Journal of Environmental Sciences in 2006 that discusses this matter. The study is summarized below.
Containers Most Apt to Leach Chemicals
Polystyrene (PS) - Styrofoam (e.g. coffee cups)
- Poly vinyl chloride (PVC)
These chemicals are found in egg cartons, styrofoam coffee cups/hot beverage cups, reusable plastic cutlery(utensils).
Chemicals that Leach
- Styrene
- Aromatic compounds such as ethyl benzene, toluene, and benzene (only small amounts).
Factors that effect Leaching
- contact area
- type of plastic
- temperature
- contact time
Levels of Styrene Detected
The maximum amount of styrene leaching from containers made out of polystyrene was 29.5 micrograms/liter. After one year of storage, this amount increased to 69.53 micrograms/liter.
Health Effects of Styrene Exposure
Styrene can cause several health problems. Small quantities of styrene over long-term exposure have been proven to cause fatigue, nervousness, sleeplessness, low platelet and hemoglobin values, chromosomal and lymphatic abnormalities, and cancerous effects. It also also been concluded that styrene can bind with DNA which results in cancerous tumors.
Sources:
Ahmad, Maqbool, and Ahmad S. Bajahlam. "Leaching of Styrene and Other Aromatic Compounds in Drinking Water from PS Bottles." Journal of Environmental Sciences 19 (2007): 421-26. Scifinder. Web. Mar. 2011.
I decided to use this source because it provides information on additional chemicals that leach from plastic. It was published in a scientific journal and is unbiased due to review in the scientific community. The study was performed in Saudi Arabia and shows a world-wide concern about the use of plastics.
No comments:
Post a Comment