The doctor said that if melamine releases melamine, it will easily crystallize and precipitate in the renal tubules, leading to kidney inflammation, stones and bladder stones, and formaldehyde is likely to be related to nasal cavity cancer, sinus cancer and leukemia cancer; .

(Provided by the Health Bureau)


[Health Channel/Comprehensive Report] The Taipei City Health Bureau recently announced the results of the random inspection of melamine food containers. One case did not comply with the regulations. Melamine was found to be 4.6ppm, which exceeded the standard. .

The Taiwan Cancer Foundation pointed out that melamine contains formaldehyde and melamine. If melamine is released, it will easily crystallize and precipitate in the renal tubules, leading to kidney inflammation, stones, and bladder stones. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen and may be associated with nasal cavity cancer, sinus cancer, and leukemia. related.

Yang Zhenchang, an attending physician in the Department of Clinical Toxicology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, said that melamine is a heat-resistant resin (110 to 130°C) containing formaldehyde and melamine, which is widely used in building materials such as tableware, floors, and tables.

Melamine tableware made of good material basically does not or only emits a very small amount of formaldehyde and melamine. The current regulations stipulate that the dissolution limit of formaldehyde and melamine should not exceed 2.5ppm.

Please read on...

Do not serve hot food in melamine dishes

Yang Zhenchang emphasized that if you accidentally choose melamine tableware with poor materials, formaldehyde and melamine may be released. Excessive melamine can crystallize and precipitate in the renal tubules, leading to kidney inflammation, stones and bladder stones. As for formaldehyde, the volatility is high. Therefore, the harm to the human body mainly comes from inhalation, followed by skin exposure.

Formaldehyde can produce acute and chronic toxicity such as respiratory tract irritation and allergies to the human body; in addition, it is a confirmed carcinogen for humans, and it is likely to be related to nasal cavity cancer, sinus cancer and leukemia cancer.

In order to reduce unnecessary exposure of formaldehyde and melamine, it is recommended not to use melamine tableware to hold hot food unless the safety of the material can be confirmed.

Identification and use of 7 types of materials for food plastic containers

Yang Zhenchang said that the identification codes of plastic materials range from 1 to 7, and most of them are printed on containers or packages in the form of triangles and numbers inside to facilitate recycling.

Different plastics are briefly introduced according to their classification codes as follows:

The No. 1 plastic is PET (polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as PET bottle):

light weight, good toughness, acid and alkali resistance, easy to carry and use, plus airtight and non-volatile, so it is widely used Used in the manufacture of various containers, especially beverage containers.

PET is generally non-toxic and does not increase the chance of cancer, but its heat resistance is poor, usually only able to withstand burning at 60 to 85°C.

The doctor said that different plastic containers have different heat resistance, acid and alkali resistance; the picture shows the situation.

(picture taken from freepik)

●The No. 2 plastic is HDPE (High Density Polyethylene):

it is hard and resistant to various corrosive liquids, and its heat resistance is about 90 to 110°C, so it is often used to make plastic bags, film boxes, kitchen utensils, and battery casings , PE coating on the surface of paper containers, and edible oil containers, etc.

HDPE is generally non-toxic, even at extremely high concentrations, it only causes reversible liver damage to animals, such as increased liver fat; in addition, PE does not increase the chance of cancer, so it is quite safe to use.

●Plastic No. 3 is PVC (polyvinyl chloride):

it is widely used in daily life because of its characteristics of easy processing and plasticity.

PVC itself is a polymer, generally speaking, it is not toxic, but PVC is not heat-resistant only at 60 to 80°C.

In addition, the phthalate plasticizers in PVC have the effect of environmental hormones (or endocrine disrupting substances). If excessive intake will produce hormone-like effects in the body, interfere with the endocrine system of the human body itself, and then affect the human body. Individual growth, development, constant maintenance, and reproductive effects, especially on male infants and young children.

●No. 4 plastic is LDPE (low-density polyethylene):

the heat-resistant temperature is 70 to 90 ℃, and it is mainly used to make plastic bags and plastic films for packaging food, clothing, and general consumer goods.

The toxicity of LDPE is the same as that of HDPE, and generally speaking, it does not produce toxicity.

No. 5 plastic is PP (polypropylene): the

material has good toughness, acid and alkali resistance, and heat resistance (100 to 140°C), so it is widely used in daily life, such as bean (rice) pulp bottles, microwave containers, straws, garbage Buckets, buckets, laundry bags, syringes, protective clothing, automobiles or electrical products, etc.

PP has no oral toxicity and will not increase the chance of human cancer, so it is an ideal food container material in plastic containers.

●No. 6 plastic is PS (polystyrene):

low water absorption and good stability, unfoamed PS is used in food containers, such as Yakult boxes and take-away drink cups, etc.; foamed PS is widely used in disposable Disposable tableware, such as Styrofoam disposable tableware, some instant noodle bowls and cake boxes.

PS generally has no oral toxicity, but its component styrene can cause respiratory tract, mucous membrane and skin irritation at high concentrations, and may also harm the liver, pancreas and nervous system.

●No. 7 plastics are other plastic products other than the aforementioned 6 types of plastics:

there are many types, and the more common ones are polycarbonate (PC), melamine, and polylactic acid.

Among them, PC may release bisphenol A, and melamine may release formaldehyde and melamine, which are No. 7 plastic materials that are often considered to be harmful to health.

Plastic type number.

(The picture is taken from the Taiwan Cancer Foundation Facebook page)

Yang Zhenchang emphasized that in addition to the above-mentioned food containers, other tableware such as spoons and straws, it is recommended to choose environmentally friendly tableware or bring your own tableware. If you choose plastic tableware, you can choose PP or other according to the above-mentioned instructions on plastic materials. Safer material.

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keywords

  • Melamine

  • PET bottle

  • Disposable chopsticks

  • Polypropylene

  • environmental hormones

  • plastic product

  • polystyrene

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