March 27, 2025 – The Hidden Dangers of Plastic Bags: A Closer Look at Safe Usage
Plastic bags, a staple in our daily lives, can be found everywhere from vegetable stalls in markets to supermarket checkouts, and even in our fridges storing meat and fruits. However, behind this seemingly mundane item lies a potential health hazard that cannot be ignored.
The plastic bags we use daily often contain phthalates and other plasticizers. When these bags, filled with food, are placed in the fridge, the low temperatures may cause the plasticizers to leach out, silently infiltrating our food. Once ingested, these chemicals can disrupt the endocrine system and even increase the risk of cancer. Therefore, it’s crucial for us to understand how to properly use plastic bags for food storage. But first, let’s take a step back and explore the history of plastic bags.
The origin of plastic bags dates back to 1899 when German chemist Peckmann accidentally discovered polyethylene in his experiments. However, this discovery did not attract much attention from the scientific community at that time. It wasn’t until 1933 when two chemists, Fawickt and Kipson from the Imperial Chemical Industries in the UK, successfully synthesized polyethylene in a serendipitous experiment, marking the beginning of a new chapter in polyethylene applications. Subsequently, researchers not only elucidated the production principle of polyethylene but also developed industrial production methods. During World War II, polyethylene was widely used in military products due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, contributing significantly to advancements in communication technology during the war.
After the war, the production capacity of polyethylene gradually shifted towards the civilian market, particularly the packaging industry. With the rise of supermarket culture, polyethylene plastic bags quickly became an indispensable part of people’s lives. However, technological progress, while bringing convenience, also brought new challenges.
The safety of plastic bags, especially their impact on human health, has always been a public concern. Rumors occasionally circulate online that plastic bags may contain carcinogenic substances, causing anxiety. In reality, there are various types of plastic bags, distinguishable by the triangular recycling symbol and numbers on the packaging. The shopping bags we commonly use are mostly made of No. 2 high-density polyethylene or No. 4 low-density polyethylene, which do not release the carcinogen benzopyrene under normal conditions.
According to AsiaMB’s understanding, some are worried about the plasticizers in plastic bags. However, not all plastic bags require plasticizers in their production. Moreover, China has established strict standards and regulations for plastic packaging materials to ensure that the migration of plasticizers into food is within safe limits. Current scientific research has not found conclusive evidence that plasticizers cause cancer. Therefore, plastic bags that meet national safety standards can be considered safe for normal use.
Nevertheless, it’s important to note that plastic bags are not suitable for storing all types of food. For example, frozen meat can easily stick to plastic bags in low-temperature environments, affecting the quality and safety of the meat. Perishable foods like fruits and vegetables, in warm and humid environments, may spoil faster due to insufficient sealing of plastic bags. Additionally, fat-soluble substances and high-temperature foods should not be packaged in plastic bags as high temperatures may cause the bags to release harmful substances.
Particularly noteworthy is that plastic bags should never be heated together with food. Under high temperatures, plastic bags may release harmful substances such as phthalates, polyvinyl chloride, and bisphenol A. Once these substances enter the human body, they can disrupt the endocrine system, affect the normal detoxification function of the liver, and even increase the risk of cancer. Therefore, for health and safety reasons, we should choose containers made of ceramic, glass, stainless steel, or other materials for heating or cooking food.
In daily life, we should select food-grade plastic bags for storing food and use them correctly according to the instructions. At the same time, we should avoid using plastic bags in high-temperature environments to reduce the risk of chemical migration.