Is PC plastic toxic?
What is PC plastic?
The name is Polycarbonate, and there is another common name called bulletproof glue. It is a common thermoplastic with a transparency of about 90%. The high-transparency substrate is even more transparent than ordinary glass. It has high physical properties, so it is also known as transparent metal. It is rigid and tough, has high impact strength, is more resistant to falling than common plastics, has high dimensional stability, and has a wide range of operating temperatures, good electrical insulation and heat resistance. It can be processed by injection molding, extrusion molding and other processing methods. Among the common plastics, PC has excellent thermal properties and can be used for a long time between -100°C and +130°C, and its embrittlement temperature is below -100°C. However, polycarbonate has poor chemical resistance, and it is prone to cracking risk if exposed to many chemicals.
PC contains bisphenol A?
What is bisphenol A,BPA?
Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical primarily used as a starting material in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.
Bisphenol A damage to the kidney and liver is the most serious toxicity. In animal experiments, bisphenol A has reproductive toxicity at high doses. In addition, it was also found that bisphenol A may cause a certain degree of damage to the immune system and metabolic system, as well as possible effects on young development, such as accelerated puberty and changes in breast tissue.
The European Chemicals Agency classifies bisphenol A as a substance that is toxic to reproduction and an endocrine disruptor of the human body and the environment, and thus is determined to be a substance of high concern for use in a certain range. Endocrine disruptors are substances that may cause damage to relevant parts of the body through actions similar to hormones.
Synthesis of PC
There are three basic synthesis methods of PC, including aliphatic, aliphatic aromatic and aromatic polycarbonate. Among them, aromatic polycarbonate has high practical value, and bisphenol A (4 , 4-dihydroxydiphenylpropane) type polycarbonate is most commonly used.
How PC releases BPA
Generally, the PC plastic materials seen on the market are basically synthesized by bisphenol A. Although PC plastic can withstand high temperatures up to 130°C, because PC plastic is also a polymer plastic, PC is a material that can withstand temperatures up to 130°C. When the temperature is above 50°C~60°C, the polymer chain plastic will release free molecules, while PC plastic is not resistant to high temperature, especially high temperature containing water vapor, it is easier to release bisphenol A from the surface of the plastic, while PC plastic The relationship between the molecular structure of plastics, bisphenol A is easily soluble in oil, if the liquid contains oil, and the temperature reaches 50°C~60°C, it is easier to release bisphenol A, and a small amount of bisphenol A is in the Adults can excrete it through their own metabolism, but for infants and young children, they cannot completely metabolize it through their own body. Therefore, the PC feeding bottle, which was common before, has been banned by countries all over the world due to environmental hormones. sale. Therefore, it is not recommended to use PC water cups, water bottles, and kettles containing bisphenol A to hold warm water above 50°C to avoid the release of bisphenol A.
BPA free PC water bottle
Because of the synthesis method of PC materials, bisphenol A is released, but PC has the advantages of high transparency, high temperature resistance and drop resistance, so now there are some water bottles and kettles on the market that advertise that they do not contain bisphenol A. The reason is that the synthesis method is different. Different synthesis methods, such as aliphatic synthesis, can make PC materials free of bisphenol A, but the synthesis cost is relatively expensive.
Other alternative materials for PC plastic
PC water bottles, cups, and jugs for drinking have the risk of being consumed by the human body and absorbed by the human body. Other alternative materials have been developed for materials that may hold warm water above 50°C:
- PES: slightly higher than PC material, temperature resistance up to 170°C, light amber transparent color, less drop resistance than PC
- PPSU: Compared with the previous PES, the temperature resistance is higher, up to 200 degrees, and the appearance is light, brown and transparent. It is a medical-grade plastic. It is more scratch-resistant than the surface of PES, and it is also resistant to acid, alkali, and high temperature, and the price is also more expensive.
