Material Testing Insights: Whether Polypropylene is a safe plastic to use ?

Is Polypropylene a Safe Plastic to Use in Your Home?

The reality we inhabit is highly malleable. Almost everything we consume, use, or possess is packaged in or made of plastic. There are some plastics that are bad for our health or the environment because they contain compounds like bisphenol A (BPA).

When and where would you utilize polypropylene? 

The plastic is known as polypropylene. Polypropylene, one of the commercial plastics available today, is often regarded as one of the safest options. Polypropylene is safe for use in contact with food and is therefore commonly found in containers designed to store dairy goods like yogurt, cream cheese, and butter. It can withstand high temperatures, making it ideal for the packaging of microwaveable foods. Indoor and outdoor carpets are often woven with polypropylene fibers, and the material is also utilized to make several surgical instruments and implants.

Indoor and outdoor carpets are often woven with polypropylene fibers, and the material is also utilized to make several surgical instruments and implants.

Is it a risk?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends polypropylene, a plastic made from petroleum, above other polymers because of its low toxicity. Fabrics made from it are less combustible than those made from wool, and it does not cause cancer in humans. It should be noted, however, that more recent studies suggest some polypropylene containers may be harmful. A wide variety of plastics used in various consumer goods were analyzed in a 2019 study. They discovered that the production procedure greatly affected the degree to which a certain plastic was harmful.

Researchers observed that some polypropylene products triggered a toxic or stress response in cells and had an effect on androgen hormones. Since plastics are chemically complex and the impacts of various products may vary, more study is warranted. The findings of this study have not led the FDA or the EPA to alter their previous guidelines regarding the usage of polypropylene.

Does it not contain bisphenol A?

Polycarbonate plastics are made with a chemical called bisphenol A (BPA). It’s also an ingredient in epoxy resins, which are used to line the inside of food cans and water pipes.

It’s easy for BPA to seep into our water and food supply chains. A CDC investigation using a Trusted Source found that BPA amounts were present in greater than 93% of the urine samples tested.

Although the Food and Drug Administration has determined that low levels of BPA exposure are safe for humans, some environmental and health experts are worried that prolonged exposure may cause concerns with brain development, immunological function, learning capacities, reproductive diseases, and other health problems.

The proliferation of BPA-free plastics is a direct response to the public’s rising alarm over the chemical. One plastic that does not contain BPA is polypropylene.

Advice for Using Plastics Safely

It would be exceedingly difficult to rid the world of plastic because it is so pervasive. Here are some suggestions for cutting back on plastic and making its safe use easier:

• Heat increases the likelihood of chemicals seeping out of the container and into the food, hence, doctors advise against heating food in plastic containers. Instead of plastic or paper, use glass or metal to reheat your food.
• If possible, opt for “BPA-free” products. Plastics with the recycle numbers 3 and 7 should be avoided unless a leaf appears next to the number (signifying that the plastic is BPA-free). The likelihood that such polymers contain BPA and other noxious chemicals is higher for such products.
• Don’t keep any plastic bags or boxes older than 2012. In that year, the FDA Trusted Source prohibited the manufacture of infant bottles, sippy cups, and formula containers made with bisphenol A (BPA).
• You should not use roasting or steaming bags made of plastic or coated plastic. These items may leach chemicals into your meal if heated.
• Plastic water bottles with resin recycling code 1 should not be reused. They are made to be used just once before being thrown away.
• Receipts from the cash register have a glittery film on them, so you shouldn’t touch them. Breastcancer.org claims that the glossy coating on the product is hiding BPA.
• In the long run, glass or metal could be better than plastic for serving and storing food. Manufacturing plastic products may not be great for the environment, even if polypropylene is a safer option than other plastics.

In conclusion

You may find polypropylene everywhere, from rugs to sour cream tubs. It’s often regarded as being among the safest plastics available. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared polypropylene for use in food storage containers since it does not cause cancer. The triangle and the number 5 on the bottom of a polypropylene container indicate that it is made from that material. If you’re worried about being exposed to chemicals that could seep out of a polypropylene packaging, there are measures you can take to reduce your risk. Before reheating food, transfer it to a glass or metal container, and avoid reusing disposable packaging.

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