In recent years, silica gel has become very popular. It is used as a safe substitute of traditional plastics and continues to be put on the market. We see them everywhere - baby bottles, pacifiers, kitchenware, toys, mugs, food containers, seals on bottles and containers; even used as biscuit mats and muffin baking pans for high-temperature ovens, and ice molds for freezers.
But I believe that when we use silica gel, we always have doubts. Is silica gel plastic? Is it safe enough?
Today, let's decrypt silica gel!
Q1:
Is silica gel plastic?
Silica gel, also known as siloxane, is a mixture between synthetic rubber and synthetic plastic polymer. They may be made into different forms and used to make malleable rubber like articles, rigid plastic resin and thick liquid that can be applied.
We treat silica gel the same as other plastics because they have all the properties like plastics: bendable, malleable, transparent, high / low temperature resistant and waterproof. Like plastics, they can be shaped or shaped, softened or hardened to make almost anything.
Although they are waterproof, they also have high permeability, so they can be used in medical or industrial applications that need ventilation. They are easy to clean, non stick and non dirty, which makes them popular in cookware and kitchenware.
So what exactly is silica gel? Many people seem to think that they are natural materials that come directly from the sand. That's not the truth. Silica gel, like any plastic polymer, is a synthetic material, a mixture containing a variety of chemical additives from fossil fuels. The main difference between it and other plastics is that the main chain of silica gel is made of silicon, not carbon.
Pendulum summary: silicone is flexible, temperature resistant and waterproof. Its properties are similar to those of plastics
Q2:
How toxic is silica gel?
This is a difficult question to answer, and there is no clear answer. They are very stable polymers, able to withstand various temperatures and chemicals, so we think they are relatively safe. Many experts and relevant authorities believe that silica gel is non-toxic and can be safely contacted with food and water. For example, the Health Ministry of Canada said: the use of silica gel kitchenware currently has no known health hazards. Silicone rubber does not react with food or drink and does not produce any harmful fumes.
Although it has been confirmed that silica gel is very stable, they are not completely inert and will not release chemicals. Some silica gel has shown biological effects, such as inflammation of tissues; other studies have pointed out that silica gel may release chemicals.
For example, one study tested the release of siloxanes from silicone nipples and baking appliances to simulated solutions of milk, infant formula, and alcohol and water, and found that after six hours, nothing was released to milk or formula; but after 72 hours, several siloxanes were detected in the alcohol solution.
It is generally believed that siloxane may interfere with endocrine, some of which are related to cancer. Because siloxanes are widely used in the manufacture of silica gel polymers and household products, the concentration of siloxanes in land, air and water has reached a detectable level, and because they are very durable, they may last for a long time in the environment.
The conclusion is that the scientific evidence on silica gel is still weak and there is no conclusive evidence, but the problems and uncertainties lie there, so we should pay close attention to this material, especially now people are more and more concerned about the chemicals that will interfere with the endocrine, because as long as there is a generation with a very small amount of exposure, there may be health problems.
Pendulum summary: high stability of silica gel does not mean that it will not release chemicals
Q3:
How to distinguish silica gel?
Based on our precautionary principle, we tend to avoid silica gel when there are better alternatives. If you do decide to use silica gel products in your life, here are some tips for using silica gel:
The quality of silica gel should be high. Ideally, it's better to have medical grade, at least if it's edible grade. The higher the quality, the less likely the chemicals will be released. If you see the white part, the product may use fillers, because pure silica gel will not change the color at all; if there is fillers, the product may not be evenly heat resistant, and may smell over the food. Most importantly, the fillers may be low-quality silica gel, or not silica gel at all.
Silica gel oven gloves, kitchen utensils (shovels, spoons), splashing jackets and pot racks should be OK, because they have little time to contact with food; but again, we tend to avoid letting them directly contact with food, if we let silica gel spoon dip in the simmering hot persimmon sauce, or use silica gel shovel to turn over the hot, greasy shallow pot or barbecue barbecue We feel quite uneasy when we move food.
Bottle and pacifiers should be safe, but it's best not to put them in the dishwasher, and if they get muddy or worn, they need to be replaced (ideally every 6 to 8 weeks). If your child is not allergic to natural rubber, you can also choose natural rubber.
Recommended books
Title:
A healthy life guide to getting rid of plastics - not using plastics, but for health? As for environmental protection, can't I do a good job in recycling? Answer your shapeless problem! "
Author:
Chantal Plamondon
Jay Sinha
Introduction:
The author of this book tells readers that "plastic free life is not impossible" and introduces the alternatives of most plastic products. In addition, the author also explains that plastic products are not only related to environmental issues, but also to health.
Invite everyone to read together!
Knowledge together! Plastic reduction together!
Content reference
Text excerpted from the book "guide to a healthy life without plastics"
Editor / Wang Jiayu arranges the pictures source / Dazhi image / provided by shutterstock
Content source: Bing Wei, 2017. Is silicone plastic? Is it safe enough? "One action" is taught by the expert to distinguish inferior products
Editor: Chen Ting gets rid of plastic binding
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