Hydroponics Plastics!

According to the substantial evidence documented and available for viewing at

http://www.livrite.com/plastic.htm

http://www.foodscience.afisc.csiro.au/

http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/media/facts...

http://www.greenpeace.org/pressreleases/...

, and

http://www.turnertoys.com/PVC_framepage1...

certain types of polymer plastics such as Poly-Vinyl Chloride (PVC) and others can potentially contain and subsequently release possibly harmful chemicals such as Chlorine (Cl), phthalate, and "xenoestrogens" into their surroundings. The rate of diffusion increases proportionally with the ambient temperature. These chemicals are added during production to increase the plastics' desirable physical properties such as durability, elasticity, and malleability.

PVC is supposedly also hard to recycle.

Some would argue that people using polymers in the containers that they use to grow edible plants using Hydroponics or Aeroponics or whatever should obviously opt to use materials available such as recyclable "food-grade" High-Density Polyethylene (HPDE) or the new Organic polymers being produced from plant bio-mass (see our previous article "Organic Plastics!).

In contrast, people growing strictly ornamental plants such as Orchids, Roses, Peonies, Grasses, Privet Hedges, Oaks, certain vines, or what have you can get away with using so called "construction" or "utility" grade liners, even those that may leech toxic substances which their plants will absorb.

The myth that "specialized" plastics may be hard to acquire is simply that. Many companies manufacture "food-grade" polymer lining materials.

The truth is that many plastic polymers are inert and virtually impervious to degradation, which is the reason that they have become so popular for use in the production and manufacture of everything from wading or "paddling" pools to water bottles and straws.

It has also been said that most "virgin" plastics, which may host inherently toxic substances, can be conditioned and prepared for use by washing and rinsing them with strong fertilizer solutions prior to using them for edible plants. They can also be used to grow a crop or two of ornamentals first to "burn them in" after-which they will be acceptable.

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