2A+stephanie

Chemistry assignment. By Stephanie Lee.

In a survey that was conducted 6 individuals were asked if they used Aluminium food packaging, Glass food packaging, Plastic food packaging or all of them. 5 in those 6 individuals said they used all of them. But what they didn't know was just how dangerous each material was to the product they had bought. Each and every material used for food packaging has its advantages and disadvantages. Some are a lot more dangerous than others, and some have better advantages than others. Lets take a look at Aluminium packaging.

Aluminium packaging

As great as aluminium is to store your potato bake, or your meat from a barbeque. Aluminium packaging contains Bispheral A. Which is a rather toxic compound found in plastics. Aluminium manufactures line the interior of tins, can, trays etc with a small coating of plastic. By doing this we are exposing ourselves with Bispheral A. This kind of exposer caused cancer, ovarian disease and insulin resistance-ailments in animals. Scientist’s hypothesizes say it could occur to people. However, aluminium has a high level of resistance. This provides protection against light, ultra-violent rays, water vapour, oils and fats oxygen and microorganisms. This kind of barrier is guaranteed to keep the product being stored fresh and protected from external influences.

Glass Packaging

When we think of glass, we think of jam and vegemite. But what we don’t think of is how glass got to the supermarket. Glass is such a delicate material it means more trips via rail, road, air and sea are needed. This is causing a bigger environmental impact. But glass is 100% recyclable. Weird aye? Did you know glass is completely oxygen and carbon dioxide proof? This means nothing gets in the food or leaks from it. Glass is microwave suitable and contains natural raw materials. This product is completely ecological. Glass would have to be the only material that is both environmental to have but dangerous at the same time. For example if glass smashes. You could become seriously injured. With that aside, glass is the better option to have for food packaging in the home.

Plastic Packaging

Plastic packaging needs to protect items from external factors like dust, microbes and tampering. Unfortunately plastic containers can lose shape easily, crush under pressure and split during transportation. If this material doesn’t have the correct consistency, it will lack sufficient heat resistance and this will expose our food with harmful chemicals. Plastic is such a common use for packaging materials, but unfortunately plastic can sometimes lack the ability to be an air right material. Which is allowing gases and water vapour in and out meaning contamination is at a higher risk. However plastic is used for a variety of packaging. Being such a flexible material plastic can be rigid and tough and when needed can be soft and easy to use. Plastic is used to protect the earth and humans. For example. Medical facilities dispose of needles and any contaminated materials with tough plastic.

Bibilography:

[|www.livestrong.com/article/259503-the-disadvantages-of-aluminium-cans/] [|www.eHow.com/list_6081529_disadvantages-public-packaging.html] [|www.eHow.com/list_7447290_disadvantages-glass-packaging.html] [|www.azon.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1396] [|www.plasticsindustry.com/plastics-benefits.asp] [|www.sklozorya.com/en/preferences.html]