Plastics Division : Plastics and Health & Safety

Plastics and Health & Safety

From child safety seats that protect our kids to modern packaging that prolongs the shelf life of our food, plastics have a proven track record of helping to save lives – but not before they are rigorously evaluated for safety.

For instance, plastics intended for food packaging are allowed on the market only after they have been appropriately tested and reviewed by government scientists. As a result, any limitations or restrictions on use will be indicated on the package. That’s why when it comes to questions about product safety, it’s a good idea to look for and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Learn more about the safety of everyday plastics:

Discover more ways plastics innovations are helping to make life healthier and safer:

Food Safety
Plastics play an important role delivering a safe, healthy and abundant food supply that American families rely on everyday. In the store, clear plastic overwrap protects food while allowing consumers to see through the packaging. In the home, sealable plastic bags, wraps and containers can contribute to a longer, fresher shelf life for perishable foods. » learn more.

Child Safety
At every turn, plastics are there to help parents protect their children. Moldable plastics allow safer, rounded corners on everything from toys to high chairs and car seats. Plastics’ strength, light weight and shape-shifting versatility also contribute to child-resistant medicine bottles, easy-to-install safety latches and gates, and many other handy devices to help keep little explorers out of trouble. » learn more.

Automotive Safety
Plastics hold the key to a host of safety and performance breakthroughs in today’s cars, minivans, pickups and SUVs. For example, automotive engineers use rugged fibers to make air bags, ultra-thin film for shatter-resistant windshields, and resilient foam to create impact-absorbing zones within the car frame – all to help protect motorists in the event of a collision. » learn more.

Sports Safety
Playing sports is a great way to keep active and stay healthy, but sports can also lead to injuries. Fortunately, innovations in plastics have helped to make essential safety gear – items like plastic helmets, mouth guards, goggles and protective padding – lighter and stronger to help keep sports enthusiasts of all ages safe. In athletic shoes, molded, shock-absorbent plastic foam helps keep feet stable and supported, while the rugged plastics shells covering helmets and pads help protect heads, joints and bones. » learn more.

Resources and Links:

Aging In Place
Thanks to advances in plastics there are dozens of affordable tools and gadgets that can help today's seniors maintain an independent lifestyle and prevent serious injury. Find out how plastics technology can help seniors age in place.
Athletic Excellence
Advances in facilities and sports equipment have allowed athletes to push the physical limits of the human body. In virtually every athletic event, plastics are making major contributions to performance or safety. Find out how different plastics are being used in your favorite sport or view a summary of different plastics and their uses in various sports.
Bisphenol-a.org
A comprehensive resource for environmental, health and safety information about bisphenol A (BPA), an industrial chemical used primarily to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins.
Gear Up For Safety
An informative guide to sports safety and sports related injury prevention for children, including the use of plastics-based helmets and other protective gear.
Plasticsinfo.org
This site provides a rich resource of materials on the safe and effective use of plastics in healthcare, science, and around the house.