| People are hearing all kinds of scarey reports | | | | No.1 - Pete or Pet (Polyethylene Terephthalate) |
| about toxic chemicals leaching from plastic bottles | | | | No.2 - HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) |
| and containers into our food and beverages. Much | | | | No.3 - V (Vinyl or PVC) |
| of it is true. To make matters more alarming if | | | | No.4 - LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) |
| you re-use or heat these bottles, it could increase | | | | No.5 - PP (Polypropylene |
| the dangers of the plastic. Therefore, increasing | | | | No.6 - PS (Polystyrene) |
| exposure to any number of chemicals and | | | | No.7 - Other (Usually Polycarbonate) |
| hormone mimics. | | | | Some plastic products are still not labeled with |
| According to the "Children's Health Environmental | | | | initials or numbers. In those cases just call the |
| Coalition", there is some help in the way of | | | | manufacturer directly. |
| choices. There is a way for us to know which | | | | In a nutshell, if the bottle has the number 1, 2, 4 |
| plastics are worse and which aren't as bad. Many | | | | or 5 on the bottom, it is made from a safer |
| plastics we use have a recycling symbol that can | | | | plastic. If the number is 3, 6, or 7 the percentage |
| help us decide if we want to use them. If you | | | | is higher and the plastic will leave a chemical |
| look on the bottom of a bottle or container there | | | | residue. Category 3 is the worst, followed by 7 |
| is a number inside the recycling symbol. Those | | | | and then 6. |
| numbers tell which ones are accepted by | | | | Best advice is to avoid plastics for food and |
| recyclers. They also tell the class of plastic and | | | | beverages - use metal, glass or ceramic |
| therefore its chemical characteristics. Below is a | | | | containers if at all possible. |
| "Mini-Guide to Plastic Bottle Safety". | | | | |