Plastic Leaching

I had heard of this, but didn't know the numbers! I wish that we would go back to cardboard milk containers, they were so much easier to use and store, and better for our environment too!

I have heard this too and then I heard that it was not true. You just dont know what to believe and what now to believe any more. The intenet is great but it can also pass on false information too. Wonder how one would go about finding out if this were true or not? Do you have the source of the information? I really do want to know if it is true or not. If it is, then my plastic is going to the local thrift store.

I have never heard this..can you sent me to a site to learn more about it?

Does this include those plastic baggies (like ziploc?) I'm in SERIOUS trouble if that's the case. My freezer is full of ziploc storage bags! LOL!

Please pardon my interruption, but you have it backwards. The LEAST harmful plastics are the LOWEST numbers. The HIGHER the number, the MORE toxic. ****However!!!!***** #3 is an exception! Read on... Here's some info: Least toxic: 1 - soda and soft drink containers. The most popular, and the least harmful. 2 - milk and water jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent and grocery produce bags 4 - plastic wrap, heavy weight plastic bags 5 - clouded plastic product, like yogurt contains and baby bottles Most Toxic: 3 - PVC. Used in shower curtains, some plumbing pipes, shower curtains, vinyl toys and squeeze bottles. 6 - Styrofoam -used in egg cartons and disposable coffee cups, carry-out containers, and opaque plastic cutlery 7 - an old plastic that was used for baby bottles, sippy cups, clear plastic cutlery, etc. A good reason not to use old plastics that might have been stored for a long time. For more info go to: http://grassrootsinfo.org/plastics.html I hope this has cleared up any misinformation.

Yes I have heard of this... and here in South Africa we are trying to promote not to re-use your plastic containers, however, plastic is so convenient as glass breaks easily, and is very expensive as well... It is rather sad what is happening to our environment. We can get milk in Cardboard containers for example, but then the milk tastes like cardboard... and now milk is getting more expensive and we have a shortage of it... Ja, well! We just have to do the best we can with the resources and knowledge we have... Great posting!

I recently heard on the Today show that the numbers most harmful is the 3,6,7 numbered ones and whats worse alot of things aren't even numbered and just as harmful. I totally cleaned out those numbered bottles from my house. I didn't know about the freezing thing or the heating thing really I freeze water and pop(to make it slushy) all the time guess now I will try to use something different. Aluminum cans aren't any better they are linked to memory loss and Altimers(OOps! excuse spelling) disease. Is there anyhting safe anymore?

Wonderful. I freeze in ziplocs, plastic containers and anything else that will freeze without allowing air or bursting. I guess I am doomed to get cancer. According to all the things that cause it, I don't stand a snowman's chance!

I would like to store things in glass, but it is more expensive and it breaks.

It seems like everything will give you cancer now A days!; I ate from a plastic container, I got cancer! I ate too many big mac's and got cancer, I smoked and I got cancer! Oy! I have been eating from plastics a long time. I guess I am going to die. God soon everyone will be living in plastic bubbles. Oh, wait that might cause cancer...

this is such bad news. i have been using plastic containers to house the food items that i keep in the refrigerator and freezer. perhaps i will buy more tupperwares again. these are plastics which have been made from edible sources. the disadvantage with tupperware items involves their being eatable for pests and some insects. the stainless steel ones become difficult to open when frozen. thank you for having shared this information with us, modestah.

here is a link for you to check out: http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/petbottles.asp and at the very bottom of the page there is another link that might help: http://www.jhsph.edu/PublicHealthNews/articles/Halden_dioxins.html Really all should read this information to end any unnecessary worry. Enjoy.

Wow--just noticed this discussion even though it's a year old. I've been just really learning about the dangers of plastics especially those used for beverages, like milk, water, soda, you name it, and you're right, the #1 are "supposed" to be safe but only for one time usage. I have to admit I've been guilty of reusing the small water bottles, thinking I was doing my little part to not constantly buy small water bottles and just reuse/refill them not realizing in the process I've been practically poisoning myself in the process. And yes, been reading how dangerous it is to heat anything up in these plastics, but wow, didn't know about the freezing thing as I've done that myself...freeze water in the bottles so have a iced cold beverage on those hot summer days---I hope to get one of those legit refillable bottles like Brita, but yikes they're expensive!