Monday, August 3, 2009

Code of Plastics @ 7:22 AM

Plastic is one of important things in our life. It's simple and easy-to-use, plastic is very often used as base source of some products. But, some plastics are dangerous. Does it mean, plastic is not safe to use? Not to worry about that, because there are some safe plastic.
Scientists in the world has made code to know the source of plastic makers. Those codes firstly released in 1988 by The Society of Plastic Industry in USA. To make the plastic users know the safety of things made from plastic. This code usually as number placed at the under of plastics shaped triangle.
To know is very easy. Triangle shows that the plastic is recycled product. Then number code on the triangle has relationship with the alphabet under it. These number and alphabet show the kind of plastic that used for that things. Until now, there are 7 codes on plastic that often used.

1 - PETE
This means this plastic made from polyethlyne terephthalate. This plastic contain 30% PETE. Usually, this kind of plastic is quite transparant. In general, this kind of plastic used for mineral water bottle, juice bottle, or plastic bottle. But, this kind of plastic may only used once! Not twice, or more. This kinds of plastic isn't good to keep hot food and hot drink. Because heat can cause polymer on bottle move to the food.

2 - HDPE
This kind of plastic made from high sensity polyethlylene(HDPE). The substances that made this plastic are safe because it have no reaction to the food. This plastic also stronger, and can survive with high temperature. And can used on white milk bottle, Tupperware, etc. But, this kind of plastic also may not used for many times. Because antimony trioxide will increase because of time and it's dangerous to our health.
3 - V
This is the short type to mention polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that contains di-2-etil-hexsiladiphate(DEHA) that has reaction to food. DEHA is easy react the food on 15 degrees Celcius. This plastics is dangerous and very difficult to recycled. Usually these plastics used as Cover Plastics. So don't use plastic with this code!
4 - LDPE
This code means this plastics were made from low density polyethylene, this made from petroleum. It's strong and flexible. On <60 degrees Celcius, very resistant to Chemistry compound. It has protection to water vapor, but not too good for another gases, like oxygen.
5 - PP
This plastics were made from polypropylene. In general found on transparant . This kind of plastic is stronger and lighter. So, this plastic is very safe for food. This plastic can survive on high temperature too.
6 - PS
This plastics were made from polystyrene (PS) or usually called polymeraromathic. When meet food, this plastics can cause styrene. We should not use this plastics because it's dangerous to brain's health and estrogen hormone on woman that cause reproduction problem and growth. So, it we find it, burn it!
7 - OTHERS
This means this plastics were made from another six components above. Example: Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polycarbonate (PC), and nylon. SAN usually found on food place like sport drink bottle, car spare part, housewife tools, computer, and so on.
ABS usually found on Lego Toy, and pipe. SAN and ABS has high resistance to Chemistry reaction and strong. But still safe. PC usually found on baby milk bottle, infant glass, polycarbonate drink bottle and tin that used to wrap food and formula milk tin. PC can destroy hormone system, chromosome, lower sperm production and change immune system.

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