posted on October 2, 2001 03:51:38 PM
Greetings Earthlings,
I heard this on the radio the other day and thought it may be of some interest to those who handle old plastics and perhaps some hard rubbers ((no jokes please)or elastolins, especially those with young children.
There are many types of these materials with varying chemical compositions, apparently some types, upon aging and exposure to other chemical substances in close proximity, or exposure to sunlight begin to break down, change, and/or lose their chemical bonds. One manifestation of this, that I'm sure most of us have observed occaisionally, is the plastic item or electric cord, etc. that has a sticky or slimy substance on its surface. Many times making it appear somewhat shiny or wet. According to this report, some components in that substance have the poroperty of mimicking human estrogen and can be absorbed into the skin rather easily. Additionally the studies indicated that the effects were quite measureable, and that developing children were most effected, with male children developing female traits and young girls experiencing premature pubescence. Finally, it may be difficut to detect whether some plastics are sweating or bleeding these chemicals, as it may not be as apparent as the sticky pieces mentioned earlier.
I know that I have handled many plastics like this, as a child and at present. I generally clean them with either naptha or alcohol (test a small spot first, and never over paint or printing) and then lightly polish it with metal polish to bring back the surface.
I don't know how valid this report was nor do I recall who did the study. Just thought I'd pass it along while my nails were drying.
posted on October 2, 2001 04:06:02 PM
THe report is valid in the fact that plastic does and can leach but for the most part what plastic leaches is in the form of gases inless they are heated at that time the will leach resins.
Most of the gases from old and modern plastic can leach are poison.
PVC being the worst of the modern plastic.
Burning PVC is very dangerious the most dangerious is when the ash and smoke is mixed with water it make sulfuric acid so when the smoke is breathed in it damages lungs, also the gases given off are know to cause cancer.
also another is gas is Cyanide I work in a plastic factory have to go through all kinds of safty training yearly..
one of the by peoducts of older plastic is formaldehyde.
Lexan is another modern plastic that is not very friendly to life and is worse as it ages or when it burn then most pvc the gases from heated or burning lexan amoung other thing cause the lungs to not be able to make use of oxygen you can still be breathing and dye from a lack of air..
http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
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[ edited by dman3 on Oct 2, 2001 04:08 PM ]
[ edited by dman3 on Oct 2, 2001 04:12 PM ]
