At the bottom of the bottle or box is usually a triangle with an arrow and a number in the middle. Perhaps few people pay attention to this extremely important notation.
Some families and food stores find reuse of plastic bottles and containers to store water, cooking oil, vinegar… Many people think that these plastic bottles and boxes after being washed are safe but not safe. know that toxicity can still develop during use.
Do you know the symbols in the picture?
Recently, the story of a 12-year-old girl living in the United Arab Emirates who repeatedly used a bottle of mineral water to store drinking water and contracted cancer, is becoming a hot topic on many forums. The main reason is that water bottles contain toxic materials when used too many times and cause cancer. Ordinary mineral water bottles or soda bottles when reaching a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius will easily deform and release toxins.
The bottom of water bottles, medicine or food containers often has a triangular symbol with arrows . In the middle of the triangle is a specific number. For example, the student’s drinking water bottle or number 7; purified water, milk or fruit juice bottles usually have the number 1; cooking oil bottles, cosmetic jars or number 2; and plastic instant noodle boxes with the number 5 on the bottom… However, few people care or learn about the meaning of triangles and these numbers.
Number 1 means PET (polyethylene terephthalate plastic). Plastic bottles containing drinks when reused, if hot water is over 70 degrees Celsius, not only deform but also decompose substances harmful to health. Scientists also discovered that this plastic product, if used for more than 10 months, can produce carcinogenic substances.
Number symbol in triangle at the bottom of mineral water bottle.
Number 2 means the amount of HDPE – high density polyethylene . These plastic bottles are heat resistant up to 110 degrees Celsius, often used to store food, shower gel or other high-purity items. When reusing should be very careful, because this type of plastic is difficult to clean, the remaining substances are easy to become bacteria.
Number 3 is PVC – PVC plastic. PVC is often found in ordinary raincoats, building materials, plastic products, and plastic containers. Although it has good ductility and is cheap, it can usually only be used up to a temperature of 81 degrees Celsius. This substance can be released a lot when at high temperatures, so it is rarely used as product packaging, and is also very difficult to clean and cannot be reused.
Number 4 is LDPE – low density polyethylene. LDPE is quite common in noodle boxes and snack shells. Products containing this substance will not be able to heat in the microwave, avoid high temperatures because it will release chemicals. People should not expose packaged junk food to high temperatures and do not use microwave ovens to cook instant noodles.
Number 5 is PP (polypropylene plastic). PP is usually found on the lid or bottom of a coffee cup, regular milk bottle, yogurt or juice bottle. This substance usually withstands temperatures of 167 degrees Celsius, so it can be reused, rotated in the microwave. However, it should be noted that some food containers on the bottom have a triangle with the number 5 but on the lid is the number 1. Number 1 is PET, a substance that cannot withstand high temperatures, so it needs to be placed in the microwave oven. Remove the lid of the box.
Number 5 in the triangle at the bottom of the bottle.
Number 6 is PS (polystyrene). PS is often found in instant noodle boxes, fast food containers. Although they are highly resistant to heat and cold, they should not be used in the microwave because they release chemicals when heated. In addition, do not use containers with strong acids and strong alkalis, because they will decompose polystyrene which is harmful to the body.
The triangle with the number 6 on the bottom of the instant noodle box.
Number 7 is PC – plastic PC . PC is used very commonly, especially for making disposable milk bottles and cups. If the PC plastic bottle uses BPA (Bisphenol A), it will be very harmful to the body. For ordinary plastic cups, you should pay attention not to hold hot water. If you notice a stain on the plastic surface, immediately remove it because it may be a bacterial reservoir that the naked eye can’t see.
The above is extremely important information because it is related to our health. Therefore, people should pay special attention to the number on the bottom or on the lid of each product they buy.