Don146;t play with plastic

Life without plastic now seems virtually impossible, what with its extensive use in industries and at home.

Life without plastic now seems virtually impossible, what with its extensive use in industries and at home. In kitchens, plastic is used up in containers, bottles, cups, plates, bowls, moulds and microwave-ware.

Its use determines the raw materials to be used and their processing. The safety of a product is tested by authorities keeping in mind its utility, temperature at which it can be used, durability and disposal. However, we tend to use a plastic product beyond its original purpose. Some instances:
Disposables become storage containers.
Pet plastics and mineral water bottles become water storage bottles.
Boiling food is poured into ordinary heat-resistant plastics such as tiffin boxes.Pickles, acidic and oily food are stored in ordinary plastics.
Non microwavable plastic is microwaved.
Cheap, colored plastic bags are used to pack hot foods.

These practices can result in migration of chemicals used in the manufacture of plastic into food. The quantities of migrating chemicals depend largely on the nature and temperature of food and contact time. The chemicals of concern from packaging and plastic containers include styrene, bisphenol A and phthalates. The potential health hazards include toxicity to the nervous system, carcinogenic effects and haematological blood defects.

A few tips can save us from unnecessary exposure to toxic chemicals:
Commercial plastic packaging that has been used for storing non-food items for example, detergents should never be reused as food containers.
Plastic packaging that are used for commercial packing of food and takeaway plastic food containers used in eating outlets are disposable items designed for single use and are not intended for repeated storage of food.
Avoid using plastic containers in microwave, instead use glass or ceramic containers, free of metallic paint. 8220;Microwave-safe8221; doesn8217;t always mean there is no leaching of chemicals as these chemicals are released from plastic when heated. Also, avoid reheating or cooking food in a microwave or conventional oven in disposable containers like yoghurt and ice-cream tubs as they are not heat-stable.
Plastic packaging for microwaveable convenience meals are designed for one-time usage with the type of food packed in it and should not be reused for storing or microwave heating of food.
Beware of cling wraps, especially for microwave use, instead use waxed paper, a paper towel or a plate for covering foods. If you choose to use plastic wrap when cooking, be sure to keep it from touching your food by covering it loosely. Leave a corner turned back to vent. Avoid re-using plastic wraps.
Use alternatives to plastic packaging whenever possible, choose glass, stainless steel or glazed ceramic.
Discard worn or scratched bottles. Plastic water bottles are meant for single use only. Plastic water bottles exposed to sunlight and high temperatures can also lead to migration of chemicals into water.
Choose bio plastics made from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable oil, corn starch, pea starch or shrubs, rather than traditional plastics derived from petroleum, now available in a variety of plastic products like cutlery, cups, water bottles and take-out containers.