Do Plastics Off-Gas?

March 3, 2009, by Debra Lynn Dadd

Question from Katie

Hi Debra, 

First I would like to thank you for all your help and the valuable information you are making available. Thank you thank you! Way to go! 

I've been wondering if "everyday" household items made from plastic are off-gassing petrochemicals. Some examples would be plastic food storage containers, plastic flowerpots, plastic broomhandles and dustpans, etc. Thanks for any info on this. 

Debra's Answer

There are many types of plastic, so the answer to your question, "Do plastics outgas?" is yes, and no.

The determining factor as to how much plastics outgas is how soft or hard they are. The rule of thumb is that hard plastics, which are brittle and break when you bend them, do not outgas much, but soft plastics, which bend without breaking, usually do.

Note that the word "outgas" refers to the release of vapors into the air. When plastic containers release chemicals into foods and beverages, this is called "leaching." I think your asking, can plastics leave the product/package and get into your body by any means. Yes!

This is all more fully explained in my book Home Safe Home.

Update October, 2109:  Are All Plastics Toxic?