BPA is a compound found in most transparent plastics used for packaging food, cosmetics, etc..
BPA is present in the vast majority of plastic packaging used in both food and cosmetics. It is used to stabilize these products, for example not to crystallize and become brittle. But plastics particular interest to us are those used in food as bisphenol, an artificial estrogen, is transferred to some extent to food or drinks with consequences that have not yet been determined accurately. Therefore
environmentalists go with the fly behind the ear with this product. I prefer not to make too much because otherwise I could not live and, after all, as the poet and writer Manuel Alcántara living is unhealthy -course, you end up clapping.
years ago that are published studies linking the consumption of this product with the occurrence of certain chromosomal abnormalities associated with the occurrence of fetal abnormalities or genetic diseases such as Down syndrome or other forms of cancer. The harmful effects of these changes are evidenced from the 60's in the form of genetic abnormalities in different animal species, primarily mice. The results are not directly extrapolated to humans, but if we put warning about the effects that this product may have on them.
But let the alarm for later.
Plastics are divided into seven groups by the authorities to better control its use, and that each of these groups has specific qualities in terms of clean power, energy consumption, degradation time, etc, clearly distinguish it from the others. These seven groups are:
1. POLYETHYLENE:
Called with PE. There are basically Three types of polyethylene:
a) High Density PE: A plastic colorless, odorless, non toxic, strong and resistant to shock and chemicals. It is used to make containers of different types of plumbing, flexible pipes, textiles, trash cans, papers, etc ... All are products of great strength and not attacked by chemical agents. In this category is the PET (polyethylene terephthalate) with which they are made of water bottles and clear plastic soda bottles, oil, juice, vegetable trays and many pots of cosmetics.
b) Medium Density PE: Used in the manufacture of pipes underground natural gas. Is yellow.
c) Low Density PE: Colorless, odorless, nontoxic, softer and more flexible than high density. It is less strong but a good insulator. It is used for bags and sacks of employees in shops and supermarkets, flexible piping, insulation for electrical conductors, toys, etc ... flexibility is required.
2. POLYPROPYLENE:
is known by the acronym PP. It's a very tough and durable plastic. It is opaque and highly resistant to heat. It is very resistant to shocks but has low density and can be bent easily, folded multiple resisting what material is used as a hinge. With The cases are made, piping hot fluids, car batteries enclosures, appliances, garden furniture, toys, and packaging.
3. POLYSTYRENE:
is designated with the initials PS. It is a fragile plastic that can be colored and has a good mechanical strength, as well the shock resistant. It is used to make packaging, electronics and items that require a very light, garden furniture, patio furniture bars, etc ... The spongy form expanded PS is also called the name Porexpan or Styrofoam, which is used to manufacture protective packaging, as well as thermal and acoustic insulation in walls and ceilings. It is also used in heating systems.
4. Polyvinyl Chloride:
is designated by the acronym PVC. It is the most versatile plastic. Very stable, durable and resistant, being able to make it less rigid and more elastic if you add another additive plasticizer.
has high resistance to corrosive fluids, so it is used for the construction of reservoirs and drainage pipes.
tube is used to make insulation and protection, water pipes, gutters, siding, doors, windows, electrical installations boxes, etc.
5. Acrylics:
is often referred to also use the abbreviation commonly is known as PMMA and acrylic. Has good mechanical properties and can be polished easily. As used in making ornaments. It is used as replacement glass for windows build as it is very resistant to shocks.
In its translucent or transparent is used to make signs, backlit displays and goggles.
The main drawback is its high price.
6. Polyamides:
are designated with the letters PA and is commonly known as nylon (nylon).
rigid in his presentation is used to make transmission parts such as wheels of all kinds, screws, machine parts, tools and household utensils, etc ...
The textile industry uses it in the form of fiber. Also used in this way to make rope (socks, ropes and various tissues).
VIII) thermosetting plastics:
are those who once cast can not soften with heat, as they experience a chemical change called SETTING, for this process permanently bonded molecules and the polymer is rigid. Once
fabricated are not capable of being molded or may be subjected to high temperatures, because their molecules are degraded by heat. Some of these plastics are: melamine, polyester, Bakelite and urea.
As we have seen the world of plastics is rich and varied. But let's stay with what we care about right now: BISPHENOL.
products generally contain less BPA plastics are those marked with the symbol 1 within a triangle formed by three arrows. Usually corresponds to a container of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) that is packaged water, soft drinks, beer and many products aliemtación especially for catering.
health authorities consider that the levels of contamination that can occur by transfer of BPA from these containers to their content is not relevant so massively used and assumes that will continue for a long time for two reasons: the cost of recycling and transportation costs. Undoubtedly
glass is much healthier because it does not transfer anything to the food contains and it is not "bad" for the environment (so far as it can cause a fire by magnifying effect.) However its cost of recycling and transport are remarkably high because the glass requires temperatures of 1500 º C for recycling compared to about 250 degrees that require most plastics. The glass also weighs much more than plastic containers can not be made the packaging plants as with PET, in large packing plants can be molded.
is here where the crux of the matter. The plastic comes from oil, an exhaustible resource, but requires the use of less oil for recycling and transport which generates less air pollution in this area. What is then the advantage of glass over plastic or plastic on the glass?
In the next article delve a little about advantages, disadvantages and potential profits despite the plastic called bisphenol danger that seems not so much.
Finally, to ease a bit today, with existing studies on toxicology, we can say that smoking, drinking more than two glasses of wine a day, living near a transformer of high or even live in heavily polluted areas such as Huelva and Madrid, is far more dangerous than drinking bottled water in PET.
