Most of us went to school with our food safely packed in tightly sealed plastic containers and today we send our our kids to school with a lunch box. We were certainly proud of our lunch boxes, especially those with three or more compartments and wonderful designs on them.

At home, we have containers with leftover foods and sliced fruits and veggies are a common sight in the refrigerators. Today, to-go plastic containers became a commercial packaging break-through, prevailing over the ubiquitous, but unsightly, Styrofoam. Both are disposable items mass-produced by industries that cater to modern society’s throw-away mentality, but more frugal consumers prefer to-go plastic containers. They are arguably better than Styrofoam, which is non-biodegradable. They are also cheap, reusable, better-looking, good for organizing and storing all kinds of things and perhaps even recyclable.

Recent studies in the U.S., however, have raised concerns about the safety of some plastic containers. When exposed to heat, plastic containers may leach a harmful chemical called Bisphenol A (BPA) into food and drink. BPA may cause brain problems in foetuses and children, as well as prostate and breast problems in adults, according to the National Toxicology Program, a division of the US National Institues of Health.

Other scientists disagree. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to authorize the use of BPA. Based on the studies reviewed by FDA, adverse effects occur in animals only at levels of BPA that are far higher orders of magnitude than those to which infants or adults are exposed. Therefore, the FDA sees no reason to ban or otherwise restrict the uses at this time.  That is what the FDA spokeswoman Stephanie Kwisnek said in a report.

Just because the jury is still out on whether plastic food containers can leach harmful chemicals into your bodies doesn’t mean you should totally ignore possible risks from the use of plastics.

First, get to know your plastics. Look at the bottom of the plastic containers you have, including those that contained food from grocery. You will notice number inside a triangle. The triangle is a mark that the plastic is recyclable. The number indicates the type of resin used to make the plastic container.

Here are the types of containers according to the number at the bottom of the container and what they mean:

Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE)

Used in soft drink, water and liquid medicine bottles. Generally okay for single use for food.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

Used in milk, shampoo and liquid soap bottles. Very safe; transmits no known chemicals to food.

Vinyl, polivinyl chloride (PVC)

Used to pack cooking oil. Has softeners called phthalates, a known human carcinogen said to interfere with hormonal development.

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)

Used in plastic (cling) wrap and sandwich bags. Very safe, transmits no known chemical to food.

Polypropylene (PP)

Used in yogurt cups. Very safe, transmits no known chemical to food.

Polystyrene (PS)

Used in disposable coffee cups and take-out containers. Can leach a possible human carcinogen called Styrene, into food, disrupt hormone production and affect reproduction.

Others, including polycarbonate (PC), acrylic, polylactic acid and fibreglass.

Used in baby bottles, 5 gallon water bottles and linings of canned goods. Contain hormone-disrupting BPA, which has been linked to a wide variety of problems such as cancer and obesity.

Like it or not, plastic containers are here to stay. With scientists stilldivided on the safety of certain plastics, it is best to be protective of your family’s health. Learn to minimize your exposure to toxic plastic.