This is a posting I left on another Tribe about the dangers of plastics. It occurred to me that this information may be useful to others, particularly on this website, since we Domestic Goddesses are usually the ones buying these products and putting them to use.

The following information was originally published in the June 2005 issue of Organic Style Magazine in an article titled Yes, Your Food Storage Can Be Safter, by Kieran Doherty. I know that many of you already know some or all of this information, but I thought it might be helpful to those who don't, or expand on what may already be known:

If you want to know the type of plastic in your wrap, sandwich bags, or storage containers (they're not likely to be labeled), contact the manufacturer's customer service department or check its Web site. On the bottom of plastic containers used for packaging, you'll see a number inside a triangle. It's a code developed by the plastics industry to make sorting plastics easier for recycling centers; it also indicates what type of plastic the container is made of.

<1> PETE, aka PET (polyethylene terephthalate) Used for most transparent bottles, such as water, soda, cooking oil, and medicine bottles. Generally safe to use (not reuse); generally recycled.

<2> HDPE (high density polythylene) Sturdy, rigid plastic found in reusable food storage containers, milk and detergent bottles. Generally safe; generally recycled.

<3> PVC (polyvinyl chloride) Used for plastic wrap, and detergent and cooking oil bottles. Additives in PVC can increase the risk of birth defects and hormone-related cancers. Its production can be hazardous to workers and the environment. Generally not safe; not recycled.

<4> LDPE (low density polyethylene) Flexible plastic used for bags or wraps, such as produce bags and baby-bottle liners. Most number 4 plastics are not designed for reuse. Generally safe; generally not recycled.

<5> PPE, aka PP (polypropylene) Pliable plastic found in squeeze bottles, reusable food containers, and yogurt and margarine tubs. Generally safe; generally recycled.

<6> PS (polystyrene) Used in rigid take-out containers and foam meat trays. Can leach styrene when heated, a possible endocrine disruptor and human carcinogen. Not safe when heated; generally not recycled.

<7> Other; most often refers to PC (polycarbonate) This plastic is most commonly used for baby bottles, five-gallon water jugs, and reusable sports water bottles. It can leach out the hormone-disruptor bisphenol A, especially when heated. Because this group can include various other plastics, it has limited recycling potential.

A word about recycling: Not all recycling facilities accept all plastics. Enter your ZIP code at www.earth911.com to find out what numbers you can set out.

Recommendations: The Do's and Don'ts

For Microwaving: Do use microwave-safe glass or ceramic.
Don't use any plastic, including plastic wrap, Tupperware, and Styrofoam. Cover foods paper, not plastic, but don't use recycled paper towels-they may contain metalic flecks (from ink or ground-up staples) that can combust.

For Refrigerator Storage: Do use glass, ceramic, stainless steel, or PVC-free plastic wrap. Don't use plastic containers for anything that will leave behind a residue that will require scouring, which can create scratches. Don't store or cover hot food in or with plastic-let it cool first.

For Packing Lunches: Do use foil or waxed or butcher paper to wrap sandwiches and snacks. If you prefer the convenience of bags, look for ones made from number 4 plastic.
Don't use any plastic for high-fat foods such as meat or cheese; plastics contain chemicals that are attracted to fat.

For Water: Do use glass or stainless steel or pitchers made from number 2 or 5 plastic.
Don't use pitchers made from number 7 plastic.

For Freezing: Do use foil, freezer paper, or number 4 plastic freezer bags.
Don't use any glass or plastic not labeled FREEZER SAFE-extreme cold can cause both to crack. Don't put hot food in plastic bags or containers-let it cool first.

For Pantry Storage: Do use glass, aluminum, stainless steel, or number 5 plastic.
Don't store food in any plastic container made from number 3,6, or 7 plastic.

Currently, most plastics are made from cude oil, but there's a new generation of plastics made from starches such as rice, corn, and soy. Called bio-based plastics, they are biodegradable and recyclable (some are even compostable), and their production is generally better for the environment and your health. There are concerns about fertilizers and pesticides used in the production of rice, corn, and soy, but on the whole, bio-based plastics are still a more earth-friendly option than their petroleum-based counterparts.