As polymers, plastics are highly diverse in chemical composition, properties and possible applications and are widespread in the society and environment. From their composition, a number of chemical components plastics are made of are hazardous to human health and the environment (Lithner, 2011). These chemicals may be discharged when plastic containers are degraded during their usage life cycle. Although plastic polymers are not considered toxic, recent studies has shown that plastic products may contain non-bound residual monomers, polymerisation chemicals and additives or could release degradation products which are toxic in their chemical properties (Lithner, 2011).This study examines the possible toxicity of plastic containers which may manifest as environmental and health hazards of chemicals in plastic polymers and products. 

 

By examining recent literature, this study reports substantial consensus on the possible toxicity of plastics and makes recommendations thereof. Considering the extensive dispersion in the society and the environment, the growing production, and the release and use of many hazardous chemicals in plastics, it is important to further assess exhaustively the risks of chemicals associated with plastic polymers and products. 

 

In addition, there is another potential endocrine disruptor which has been related to the breast cancer for women and decrease in sperm counts in men, diethylhexyl adipate (DEHA) may be found in low density

 

Besides BPA, phthalates also available in most of the commercialized products and it is most often used in Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) as plasticizer. A US study found the connection between the risk of obesity and diabetes with the exposure of phthalates (Oakenfull, 2014).  In addition, research found out that there is a connection between the obstruction in bronchial and increase in asthma with the usage of plastics that consists of phthalates (Exposure to Environmental Hazards, 2003). 

 

Lastly, epoxidation of soybean oil, ESBO is also frequently used as stabilizers and plasticizers for PVC resins. Even though ESBO is a good substitute of phthalates, it will reacts with hydrogen chloride due to its epoxy structure to form chlorohydrins. ESBO alone is not sufficient to stabilize the PVC ( Medical Polymer, 2003). ESBO can be toxic and easily be detected in foods. 

 CODE:  4 

 CODE:  5  

 CODE:  7 

            As plasticizers are oil-soluble, meats and cheeses are among the foods that can be contaminated by plasticizers such as DEHA, phthalates and few more others due to its fat content of the food. 

            In another studies, when old and new bottles filled with hot boiling water, both released BPA amount 55 times greater than it did with cold water. 

            There are a lots of preventive actions that hasve been done in order to minimize these issues. For example, an action taken by regulators to establish a more systematic research program to identify and deal with the risks of chemicals in plastic containers. Indeed, a few awareness campaign conducted to spread awareness towards consumers about the danger and toxicity of plastics bottles and containers. The European Union and some states of the US have phased out the use of BPA in some product and they also have taken steps to reduce human’s exposure to BPA in the food supply. An action of supporting the industry’s actions to stop producing BPA- containing baby bottles and infant feeding cups for US market and supporting the efforts to stop producing BPA based in food cans linings and replace BPA used. 

1.      Keep identifying the type of plastic from its identification code every time when dealing or buying plastic’s product or plastic packaging. 

2.      Stop consuming plastic bottle and use your own glass or unlined stainless steel water bottles. However, be careful when choosing glass or a stainless steel water bottle since some of them contain a plastic liner, which may contain BPA.

3.      Minimize hard plastics such as hard plastic spoons, blenders, plastic cutting board and plastic cup in your kitchen since these items regularly come into contact with both foods and heat. 

4.      Bring your own food containers to shop to avoid using any plastic containers when cooking or reheating food in a microwave oven.  

5.      Avoid reuse of plastic bottles with the symbol 7 or look for products labels that say “BPA-free” as regularly washing and heating the polycarbonate bottle can increase the amount of BPA. 

6.       Check the nutrition information fact on the label and avoid any product with more than 4g of fat per 100g of food as plasticizers are more likely to migrate into food that contain more than about four percent oil or fat. 

7.      Limit canned foods and beverages since most of the food and beverage cans contain BPA especially for acidic food cans. 

8.      Avoid cooking in non-stick pans and eating foods packaged with non-stick plastics