Are plastic water bottles safe? Lets Find Out (1)

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Internationally there are set codes for plastic packaging. This code is issued by The Society of Plastic Industry in 1988 in the United States and also adopted by the institutions that developed the system code, such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization).

Generally the code is located at the base, triangular, in the triangle will have a number, and name the type of plastic below the triangle, with examples and explanation as follows:

1. PET - Polyethylene Terephthalate .

Usually, at the bottom of plastic bottles, recycle logo printed with the number 1 in the center and writing PETE or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) under the triangle. Plastic bottles used for clear / transparent / translucent like mineral water bottles, juice bottles, and almost all other beverage bottles.
The majority of the world's PET plastic materials for synthetic fibers (approximately 60%), the textile commonly referred to as polyester PET (base material bottled 30%). PET / PETE Bottle is recommended ONE TIME USING ONLY, why? If used too often, especially are used to store warm water moreover hot, polymer coating on the bottle would melt and release carcinogenic (can cause cancer).

2. HDPE - High Density Polyethylene.

Generally, at the bottom of plastic bottles, recycle logo printed with the number 2 in the middle, and writing HDPE (high density polyethylene) in the triangle. Commonly used for milk bottle with white color, tupperware, drinking water gallons, folding chairs, and others.

HDPE is a plastic material that safe to use because of its ability to prevent chemical reaction between the plastic containers made of HDPE with food / drinks are packed. HDPE is stronger, harder, more opaque and resistant to high temperatures. Just as PET, HDPE is also recommended for one time use only, since the release of antimony trioxide compounds continue to increase over time.

3. V - Polyvinyl Chloride

Recycling logo printed (sometimes red) with the number 3 in the middle, and writing V , V is mean PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is the most difficult types of plastics recycling.

• This plastic can be found on the plastic wrap (cling wrap), and bottles
• PVC contains DEHA which can react with foods that are packed in plastic made from PVC when in direct contact with food such as DEHA is melted at a temperature of-15oC.
• The reaction that occurs between the PVC with foods that are packed with plastic is potentially harmful to the kidneys, liver and body weight.
• We should look for alternative food packaging that does not contain softeners, such as plastics made from polyethylene or natural materials (eg banana leaf).

4. LDPE - Low Density Polyethylene

Recycling logo printed with the number 4 in the middle, as well as the writings of LDPE
- LDPE (low density polyethylene) is a type of brown plastic (thermoplastic / made from petroleum), was used to place food, plastic packaging, and soft bottles.

• The mechanical properties of LDPE plastic type is strong, somewhat translucent, flexible and slightly greasy surface. At temperatures below 60 ° C is very resistant to chemicals, power protection against moisture quite well, but less well for other gases such as oxygen.
• These plastics can be recycled, either for goods that require flexibility, but strong, and has good resistance to chemical reaction.
• Goods made from LDPE is difficult to destroy, but still good for the food because it is difficult to react chemically with foods that are packed with this material.

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