If plastic is just complex chains of carbon, why are there concerns of toxic chemicals being released when it touches food or is accidentally burned/consumed?

Question

If plastic is just complex chains of carbon, why are there concerns of toxic chemicals being released when it touches food or is accidentally burned/consumed?

In: 5

Answer 1

First off: “Chains of carbon” isn’t entirely true. They’re a mix of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and some other elements. However, carbon forms the bulk by mass.

But also: “chains of carbon” can be VERY dangerous. Many vegetable poisons are carbon chains. Some animal poisons are – though more are polypeptides or proteins. The larger issue with plastics though is that if the results are similar to human-made chains of carbon, they can confuse or interfere with human biological processes – which is the real issue.