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- 2020.09
- Tips
- Health and Beauty
《Where are the Masks? The Dangers of Online Shopping》
Facing a new wave of epidemic cases, there may be another round of panic-buying of epidemic prevention items. We would like to remind consumers to pay attention to the following 4 areas when making online purchases to avoid potential scams. Mobile payments can be difficult to recover Mobile payment services (or P2P payments) are widely used these days. However, consumers may not be able to ascertain whether they are transferring to a business or personal account. On the contrary, consumers choosing bank transfer will know the account number and name of the transferee. In addition, credit cards and some payment platforms also have complaint and refund mechanisms. If sellers fail to deliver the goods, consumers may get the money back through the above mechanisms, thus making the process more secured. Sudden disappearance of online sellers Nowadays anyone can sell goods on social media platforms. Some scammers may open social media accounts, pose as sellers of certain anti-epidemic items, and disappear after payments are received. Therefore, consumers should scrutinize the particular seller / merchant before placing an order. If you find that a seller has only opened the account recently, does not provide an address or contact details, and only uses mobile payment service, then you should be alert. Consumers can also browse previous posts and reviews to gauge the merchant’s credibility. Pre-orders – can you afford to wait that long? It is the seller’s responsibility to state if the goods are "available" or need to be "pre-ordered", and the estimated arrival date for the pre-orders. However, if you choose to pre-order an item, you must also be prepared that its arrival date may be affected by factors such as transportation and customs clearance. Therefore, consumers should make a thorough evaluation before ordering an item if it is for emergency use. Pay attention to refund policies Before placing an order, consumers should read the product description and terms of sale thoroughly – going through them word-by-word carefully! This is especially important for pre-orders, and consumers should understand the refund policies and associated costs (if any) if the goods are not delivered within the agreed timeframe. Consumers can keep screenshots of the original posts as proof. If sellers fail to supply the goods or simply disappear, consumers can contact the Consumer Council or report the cases to the Customs and Excise Department or the Hong Kong Police Force. If necessary, consumers can also call the “Anti-Scam Helpline 18222” hotline for assistance. To learn more about the complaint cases received by the Consumer Council regarding purchasing anti-epidemic items online, you may refer to the article “Buying Anti-Epidemic Items on Social Media Platforms Can Be Risky. Keep a Level Head to Avoid Potential Scams.” CHOICE Magazine, Issue 522 (Chinese version only).
- 2020.09
- Trivia
- Home Appliances
- Tech-savvy
《Heat Can Be Enemy – Watch Out for Contaminant Residues Released by Plastic Spatulas》
For those who normally use plastic spatulas (turners) for cooking, if these are not used properly, the plastic spatulas may melt or deform, or even release contaminant residues or harmful / toxic substances! There are 3 main aspects about plastic spatulas that consumers should beware of: The residues / substances released may affect the liver and kidney or even cause cancer When in contact with heat during cooking, stir-frying or mixing, or with prolonged exposure to sour, alcohol-infused and greasy food, plastic spatulas may release the following residues or chemical substances which may migrate to the food being cooked and cause potential health issues after consumption. Incompletely-polymerized nylon monomer: If the spatula is made of nylon, substances such as caprolactam or hexamethylene diamine may be released. When ingested in large quantity, they may cause irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory system, and cause harm to the respiratory system, liver or kidney. Chemical substances: such as primary aromatic amines (PAA) (some of which may cause cancer), other additives (e.g. stabilizers, colorants, etc.), or degradation products, etc. Therefore, it is very important to choose a plastic spatula that complied with international standards in terms of residue migration (i.e. not exceeding the recommended level). Immersion in hot oil may accelerate aging Although many spatulas have warnings (both in Chinese and English) reminding consumers not to keep the products in the hot pots. However, we often remove the notice before using the utensil, and then totally forget about the reminder. We may leave the plastic spatula in the cookware or immerse it in oil while cooking and as a result, melting, deformation or blisters may occur, and harmful substances may also be released. Therefore, consumers should be cautious not to soak the plastic spatula head in hot oil for too long to avoid damage or rapid aging. Alternatives to plastic spatula If deep frying or prolonged heating or stirring of food is required, it is suggested that wooden or bamboo-made kitchenware are to be used. Some wooden or bamboo-made spatulas also have smooth edges which won’t scratch the non-stick coating on frying pans. As wooden or bamboo-made spatulas are made from natural material, they are more environmentally friendly than plastic products! Tips on using wooden or bamboo-made spatulas Before switching to wooden or bamboo-made spatulas, you should take note of these characteristics: Flexibility: Wooden or bamboo-made spatulas generally have thicker heads than plastic ones, and the handles are also straighter and firmer. As such they may not score well in “flexibility” . Discoloration: The spatula head may turn dark after prolonged contact with hot oil, colored food items or sauces. Expansion / contraction with heat change: The spatula head may crack and food particles may get trapped within the tiny crevices making the utensil difficult to clean. Beware of mold: Wooden or bamboo-made spatulas are more difficult to dry when wet and are more prone to molds during humid days. As such consumers should dry the utensils thoroughly after use and keep them in dry places. The Consumer Council conducted a test earlier on 17 models of Chinese-style plastic spatulas in the market. If you want to know which one has the highest score and is safer to use, click here to read the article “Over Half of Plastic Turners Had Excessive Overall Residue Migration in Acidic Environment. 1 Model Deformed in Heat-Resistance Test”, CHOICE Magazine, Issue 523 (Chinese version only).
- 2020.09
- Tips
- Health and Beauty
《5 Tips for Choosing Sportswear》
Without a breathable and highly protective sports top or sports bra, you can easily harm yourself while trying to get fit! The following sets out the 5 must-knows when choosing sports tops and sports bras! Sweat wicking and quick drying During exercise, our sweat cannot evaporate quickly if the sportswear has poor performance in sweat wicking and quick drying, it would cause our body temperature to rise and lead to fatigue and overheating. On the contrary, if you stay relatively still after exercise, the sweat on the skin will lower your body temperature, and with the presence of wind you may feel clammy, shiver and even get sick. Therefore, the sweat-wicking and quick-drying functions of sportswear are very important as they help to maintain proper body temperature. Antibacterial and deodourization can save us from embarrassment During exercise, your body temperature will rise and you may drench in sweat. In a hot and humid environment, your sportswear becomes a breeding ground for microorganisms, which is also the culprit of unpleasant odour! Therefore, the better the antibacterial performance of the fabric, the more it can inhibit the growth of microorganisms and thus reduce the chance of producing an unpleasant smell. Even if the antibacterial performance of the fabric is notgood enough in inhibiting the formation of odour, as long as it has the good performance in deodourization, it can still reduce or even eliminate the unpleasant odour. Fading after the first wash? Colour fading and staining can be very annoying. They can also happen to sports tops or sports bras. In our previous tests, some samples transferred colour onto other cloth fabrics after one wash and being soaked in simulated sweat. Therefore, consumers must pay attention to this issue when choosing sportswear. There are different types of sports bras for ladies? When women exercise (especially running and jumping, etc.), their breasts typically bounce in a figure-8 formation. Sports bras can help to minimize the amount of breast movement during exercise and prevent Cooper’s ligaments from being excessively stretched and damaged which may lead to sagging breasts. Therefore, choosing the right sports bra is critical! Sports bras can generally be divided into either the “compression” or “encapsulation” type. Compression type: Without individual cups, this type compresses the breasts tightly against the chest wall to reduce the bouncing of the breasts. Encapsulation type: Similar to an everyday bra, both breasts are wrapped and supported individually. In appearance, the encapsulation type can keep the breasts in their natural shape, while with the compression type the breasts are being compressed. More Knowledge re Sports Bras Some research projects show that when women exercise (especially running and jumping, etc.), their breasts typically bounce in a figure-8 formation. The main purpose of wearing a sports bra is to minimize the amount of breast movement during exercise, and thus preventing the Cooper’s ligaments from being excessively stretched and damaged. Excessive bouncing and movements of the breasts may tear or even break the Copper’s ligaments causing sagging breasts. Sports bras fall into either the “compression” or “encapsulation” type. A compression type sports bra does not have individual cups. It works by compressing the chest area and pushing the breasts against the chest wall, thus limiting the bouncing movements of the breasts. An encapsulation type sports bra is similar to an everyday bra. Both breasts are wrapped and supported individually. In appearance, the encapsulation type can keep the breasts in their natural shape, while with the compression type the breasts are being compressed. Different sports can have different impact level on the breasts. In terms of protection, the bras can further be divided into low-, medium- or high-support category. Therefore, consumers should choose sports bras according to the type of exercise they do: 1. Low-support suitable for low-intensity sports, e.g. yoga, Pilates and stretching, etc. 2. Medium-support suitable for jogging, dancing, fitness training and cycling, etc. 3. High-support suitable for running, boxing, ball games or other strenuous / high-intensity exercises. Apart from considering style, consumers should also take the following factors into account: Choose a suitable sports bra according to the exercise and breast size. Women with larger breasts should choose medium- or high-support type to prevent injuries. It is also better to have medium – or high-support type when doing aerial yoga with certain hanging-up-side-down poses. The wider the shoulder straps, the better it is to relieve the pressure on the shoulders and chest. Therefore, it is advised not to choose a sports bra with thin shoulder straps when performing high-intensity exercise. For those with difficulties of pulling on sports bras, choose one with hooks at the back or a zipper in front. A fit sized sports bra can provided a good support to our breasts. But it should not be too tight. If the shoulder straps or underband leave marks, it could be a sign its too tight. Try them on before purchase. Try jumping, rasing your arms and turning sideways to see whether the underbands would ride up during these movements. The protective function of sports bras Different sports can have different impact level on the breasts, so you should choose sports bras with different level of support according to the type of exercise you do: Low-support: suitable for doing yoga, Pilates, stretching, etc.; Medium-support: suitable for doing aerial yoga (which involves certain hanging-up-side-down poses), jogging, dancing, fitness training and cycling, etc; High-support: suitable for running, boxing, ball games or other strenuous / high-intensity exercises. Apart from the type of exercise, breast size is also an important factor to consider when choosing a sports bra. Women with larger breasts, it may be best to choose medium- or high-support types. At the same time, the wider the shoulder straps, the more effective they are to relieve pressure on the shoulders and chest. Therefore, don’t choose a sports bra with thin shoulder straps when performing high-intensity exercise. In the article, “Several Models of Men’s and Women’s Sportswear Score Poorly in Performance Tests and Were Below Par on Odour Suppression”. CHOICE Magazine, Issue 525, the Consumer Council has shown the test results of 15 sports tops and 15 women's sports bras on the market. Click into the article (Chinese version only), you can easily find out which model has more functions and provides better protection!
- 2020.09
- Tips
- Health and Beauty
《Anti-Epidemic Gadgets: 7 Selection Criteria for Face Masks and Hand Sanitizers》
4 selection criteria for face masks Normally, the protection standards of face masks are clearly marked on the boxes. For example, according to the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards, face masks can be classified into 3 levels according to their degree of protection: Level 1 (Low) Barrier, Level 2 (Moderate) Barrier, and Level 3 (High) Barrier. However, masks manufactured in different regions may adopt different protection standards, thus causing confusion. A simple and direct way is to look at the test results. Because regardless of the type of standards, the following criteria are important in determining the protection level: BFE (Bacterial Filtration Efficiency) PFE (Particulate Filtration Efficiency) Delta P ( Differential Pressure) Synthetic Blood Penetration Resistance BFE and PFE One of the most common ways of transmitting viruses or bacteria is through the droplets of patients of respiratory diseases. When patients speak, cough, sneeze or spit, they are likely to spread droplets carrying pathogens. Contact with these droplets may lead to infection. Therefore, it is important for masks to effectively block these droplets. BFE and PFE are key indicators of their effectiveness. According to the ASTM F2100-19 Standard Specifications: Level 1 (Low) Barrier: BFE and PFE must be 95% or higher Level 2 (Moderate) Barrier and Level 3 (High) Barrier: BFE and PFE must be 98% or higher Delta P Delta P measures a mask’s breathability. The higher the value, the harder it is for the wearer to breathe. According to the ASTM F2100-19 Standard Specifications: Level 1 (Low) Barrier: Delta P value must be lower than 4.0mm H2O/ cm2 Level 2 (Moderate) Barrier and Level 3 (High) Barrier: Delta P value must be lower than 5.0mm H2O/ cm2 Synthetic Blood Penetration Resistance Synthetic Blood Penetration Resistance reflects a mask’s water resistance. The test simulates scenario with blood or body fluid splashes that may be encountered by medical staff during medical procedures to assess if the mask can provide sufficient protection. However, in daily life, we rarely encounter these situations, so the protection standards of some masks do not include this criterion. According to the ASTM F2100-19 Standard Specifications: Level 1 (Low) Barrier: Pass at 80mmHg pressure level Level 2 (Moderate) Barrier: Pass at 120mmHg pressure level Level 3 (High) Barrier: Pass at 160mmHg pressure level Are you wearing the mask correctly? Even if you have purchased a mask with a high degree of protection, you must still avoid the followings in order to achieve effective epidemic prevention! Covering only the mouth and leaving the nose exposed Using only one set of ties when wearing a tie-on mask Pulling down the mask to talk and cough Touching the front of the mask while removing it 3 criteria for selecting hand sanitizers When you are outside, you’d never know which objects are contaminated with pathogens. If you touched those objects and then touched your mouth, nose or eyes, you might get an infection easily. Therefore, consumers should rub their hands with hand sanitizer frequently to reduce the chance of infection. Below are the 3 major selection criteria: Alcohol concentration Disinfection ingredients Hand moisturizing ingredients The higher the alcohol concentration, the better? According to the guidelines of the World Health Organization, disinfection alcohol with an alcohol concentration level of 60% to 80% is most effective. Alcohol of a concentration too high is less effective in disinfection.. Active ingredients in disinfectants Apart from alcohol, quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) are also common active ingredients found in hand sanitizers. Other major types of active ingredients include chlorhexidine, triclosan and lactic acid, etc. Alcohol Alcohol is generally capable of quickly and effectively killing viruses or common bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, or fungi, despite having a lesser effect on some non-enveloped viruses such as enterovirus. However, its effect is not long-lasting, and the number of bacteria on the skin surface may gradually build up after a while. Therefore, some alcohol-based disinfection products may add chlorhexidine, quats or triclosan to prolong their disinfection effects. Quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats) The main function of quats is to inhibit the growth of, rather than kill, bacteria and fungi. Quats do have certain effects on bacteria and viruses, but with a slower disinfection speed. Disinfectants containing quats are generally less likely to cause skin allergy and are commonly used to disinfect patient care products and equipment. Chlorhexidine and triclosan Both have good disinfection effects on common bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Chlorhexidine also has certain antiviral effect on influenza viruses and hepatitis B virus. On the contrary, triclosan has a weaker antiviral effect. Other active ingredients Studies have shown that aloe vera can inhibit the growth of some bacteria and lactic acid also has bactericidal ability, but they are yet to be recognized as active ingredients for hand sanitizers by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some of the natural ingredients, such as tea tree oil and thyme, may kill certain bacteria, but their bactericidal properties are yet to be supported by medical researches. Moisturizing hand sanitizer – is it a better choice? Alcohol can take away the skin’s natural oils. Frequent application can leave hands dry and cracked. As compared with traditional liquid soap, hands do not feel as dry after using a hand sanitizer enriched with moisturizing ingredients such as glycerol (glycerin or glycerine). Important Notice! Apply the hand sanitizer evenly Alcohol can only kill bacteria and viruses when they come into contact! So, make sure that you apply the sanitizer thoroughly all over your fingers and hands, and don’t forget the areas between fingers, back of fingers, nails, and wrists. In fact, as long as sufficient protective measures are taken, there is no need to panic. The Consumer Council has developed the “Together, We Fight the Virus” page offering the public free download on test findings of anti-epidemic gears, and useful information on personal and household hygiene as well as important updates on COVID-19!
- 2020.08
- Tips
- Leisure and Entertainment
- Home Appliances
《Door-to-Door Storage Services – Unveiling the hidden costs》
What is door-to-door by-box storage or door-to-door mini-storage? By definition, they are “door-to-door” storage services. Some companies provide one-stop storage services for customers including pick-up services (door-to-door mini-storage), and sometimes may provide designated storage boxes to customers for their storage items (door-to-door by-box storage). These services can save you from the troubles of transporting the stored goods and their monthly rental seems be lower than that of self-storage services. Minimum charges vs minimum costs Although the monthly rental for door-to-door by-box storage seems lower, all service providers require minimum charges, and the charges are based on the number of storage boxes, rental period or the amount paid on the first order. For instance, a company may require a minimum charge of $500 which, based on a 1-month minimum rental period, is equivalent to renting 11 standard boxes. Some other companies require a minimum rental period of 1 year. Consumers should pay attention to the minimum charges by different companies and choose the appropriate service providers best fit their needs in terms of storage volume and rental period. Minimum transportation fees Door-to-door storage service providers are responsible for the transportation of the stored goods. This incurs transportation fee which is usually calculated on a “Base +”" basis (i.e. a basic transportation fee plus additional fee according to the number of storage boxes). Some companies charge a minimum transportation fee. At the same time, some companies offer discounts, e.g. waiving the transportation fee(s) for the first storage or if the storage boxes are returned to the delivery staff within 15 – 30 minutes after pick-up. Consumers are advised to estimate their storage volume, rental period and frequency of storage and retrieval, and calculate and compare the costs of various service providers. Beware of delivery surcharges Although the door-to-door pick-up and delivery services can save you a lot work as compared to self-storage, they may give rise to other delivery issues which may in turn increase the transportation costs. Take the pick-up / delivery time as an example, quite a few companies only operate such services before 7pm from Monday to Saturday, and some companies only operate till 2pm on Saturdays, thus making it difficult (timewise) for the general workers. There could be a penalty charge if you are not home at the appointed pick-up / delivery time. Moreover, factors like “remote area”, “change of address” and “staircase access” will also increase the overall transportation costs. Any damage compensation? The previous mini-storage fire which destroyed a large number of valuable items had left the storage customers without any compensation. A survey conducted by the Consumer Council, unveiled that mini-storages do not normally take out insurance cover for their customers’ stored goods. Only some companies include water damage and fire insurance, comprehensive property insurance and third-party insurance in their monthly rental. But a number of these companies only extend such insurance to cover (unless otherwise stated) the fittings, machinery and equipment of the mini-storages instead of the stored goods of the customers. Consumers should therefore pay attention! On the contrary, most of the by-box storage plans include insurance protection which cover each storage box. To make claims, consumers may need to provide evidence of lost or damaged items, together with the purchase receipts. Apart from the convenience factor, consumers should not overlook details concerning services and charges of storage services. For further information, please refer to the article, “Self-Storage vs Door-to Door Storage: A Comparison on Services and Charges”. CHOICE Magazine, Issue 521(Chinese version only). In this article, the Council made comparison of various door-to-door storage services, which should help you to make the right choice!
- 2020.08
- Trivia
- Food and Cooking
- Health and Beauty
- Green Living
《Cow’s Milk or Plant Milk – How to Make the Right Choice?》
“Soy Milk” is most similar to cow’s milk in terms of protein level and nutrient content Most people will instantly think of soy milk when referring to plant-based milks. Indeed, the protein level and nutrient contents of soy milk are similar to that of cow’s milk. However, as most of soy beans’ calcium remains with the okara which is filtered out during the soy milk production process, the calcium content of soy milk is not high normally unless it is “fortified” – a process of adding essential micronutrients to a food product in order to compensate for the loss of nutrients during the production process or to enhance the overall nutritional value of the food product. Can “Coconut Milk” enhance weight loss? Coconut milk is usually made from coconut kernel and diluted with water. It is relatively low in protein. Some research shows that coconuts contain medium- chain triglycerides (MCTs) which is a type of fat capable of boosting metabolism and thus is good for weight maintenance. However, MCTs only constitute a small portion (~ 13%) of the total fat content of coconuts. Overconsumption of foods derived from coconuts, on the other hand, can lead to excess intake of other saturated fats (the daily intake of which should be capped at 22g for a 2,000 calorie diet), which may in turn increase “bad” cholesterol level and risks of cardiovascular diseases. Can “Almond Milk” make your heart healthier? Almonds contain unsaturated fats which help to lower bad cholesterol level. However, until now there are no sufficient findings to conclude that almond milk can also bring about similar benefits to our hearts. Although almonds are rich in protein, most of the almond pulp is filtered out during the production process of almond milk thus making the protein content of almond milk different to that of its main ingredient. Moreover, as a large quantity of water is added during the process, the calorie level and other nutrient content of almond milk are all lower than those of cow’s milk. Is it true that “Oat Milk” is high in protein and helps to eliminate bad cholesterol? Oats contain “beta-glucan” which is a form of soluble dietary fibre that helps to lower bad cholesterol level and keep our cardiovascular system healthy. As compared to coconut milk, rice milk and almond milk, oat milk has a higher protein content (albeit still lower than that of cow’s milk and soy milk) and its carbohydrate content is also higher than other plant-based milks. However, oats can be contaminated with gluten during cultivation and processing by other gluten-containing grains, oat milk is therefore not suitable for people who are allergic to gluten. “Rice milk” is high in carbs and not likely to cause allergic reaction. Does it score high in nutritional value? Rice milk is made from rice and does not contain the common allergens. It is high in carbohydrates as compared with other non-grain-based milks, but at the same time is rather low in protein. Moreover, it has a relatively high glycemic index (GI) and therefore people with diabetes should avoid consuming rice milk in large quantity. So, can cow’s milk be replaced by plant-based milks? Plant-based milks are free from cholesterol and low in calories. Apart from coconut milk, all the other 4 plant-based milks are low in saturated fats as compared to cow’s milk, which is indeed very attractive to some people. However as compared to cow’s milk, plant-based milks are inferior in terms of content levels in protein, calcium and vitamin B12. Protein: Protein helps build and repair body tissues. Only cow’s milk and soy milk have “complete protein” which contains essential amino acids that our body needs but cannot produce on its own. In order to ensure the sufficient intake of essential amino acids and proper functioning of the body, we should also expand our diets to include other food types such as whole-grain foods, soybeans, nuts and eggs, etc. Calcium:Calcium plays an important role in the development of strong bones and teeth and preventing osteoporosis. Plant-based milks are normally low in calcium. However, most plant-based milks in the market are already fortified to achieve a calcium level similar to that of cow’s milk. When deciding which plant-based milk to buy, consumers should read the nutrition labels carefully and choose those with added calcium. Vitamin B12: Cow’s milk is rich in vitamin B12 which is essential for the production of red blood cells and in maintaining a healthy nervous system. Deficiencies in vitamin B12 can cause anaemia and certain nervous system diseases. Vegans who do not consume eggs and dairy products should consider plant-based milks that are fortified with vitamin B12. If you want to learn more about the nutrient content of plant-based milks and our recommendations in choosing and the consumption of these products, please refer to the article “Can Plant-Based Milks Replace Cow’s Milk? Knowing the Nutrient Content of 5 Major Plant-Based Milks”. CHOICE Magazine, Issue 521 (Chinese version only).
- 2020.08
- Trivia
- Home Appliances
- Health and Beauty
- Leisure and Entertainment
《Yoga Mats – How to Avoid Inhaling Harmful Substances?》
Understand what is “formamide” Yoga mats that are available in the market are made from different materials and one of them is ethylene vinyl acetate (or EVA). Why should we pay attention to EVA? Because according to a research report released by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), foam puzzle mats made from EVA were found to contain “formamide” and ANSES suggested that the level of formamide emission be subject to limitation. What exactly is “formamide”? According to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), it is classified as a toxic for reproduction category 1B. Animal studies showed that prolonged exposure to formamide could cause harm on their haematopoietic and reproductive systems. A number of researches further indicated that formamide can cause embryotic and teratogenic effects on various species and via different ways of exposure. Think of those yoga poses that require touching your face with the yoga mat while taking a deep breath. If the mat were to release harmful substances, you would then be inhaling all the “toxic chemicals”. From the formamide tests on yoga mats, let’s take note on the following…... Of the 30 models tested, different quantities of formamide were detected in 28 of them, but the level detected in 9 models even exceeded the EU’s Toy Safety Directive’s cut-off limit of 200mg/kg! These 9 models were put to further emission tests to check whether the quantity of formamide emission would exceed 20μg/m3 over a 28-day period. Fortunately, all models were in compliance with the EU’s Toy Safety Directive for the emission test. How to reduce the risk of inhaling toxic substances? Under normal room temperature, formamide emission from a yoga mat might not be significant. However, high room temperature (e.g. when practicing hot yoga) and poor ventilation or placing a few yoga mats in the same room could increase the ambient concentration of formamide which in turn could cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory tract, causing temporary discomfort. According to ANSES, the level of formamide emission from foam mats would be the highest in the beginning and would decreases rapidly in the next few days. In about a month, the emission would drop to a level which is considered safe for human bodies. Therefore, before using a new yoga mat, it should be left open in a place with good ventilation and kept out of reach of infants and pets for several days. This, in theory, should effectively reduce your chances of breathing in toxic substances from the yoga mat. Apart from formamide, yoga mats may also contain other substances? For further information, please refer to the article, “Harmful Substances Detected in Yoga Mats with 9 Models Containing Relatively High Level of Formamide”. CHOICE Magazine, Issue 521 (Chinese version only). The article reported test results on various yoga mats in the market, which should enhance your awareness!
- 2020.08
- Trivia
- Food and Cooking
Consuming “salt” can end up ingesting “plastics”
What is microplastic? According to an article from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2016, microplastics are mixtures of particles in various shapes and types, including fragments, fibres, spheres, pellets, granules, films and microbeads with size ranging from 0.1 to 5,000 micrometres(μm). Microplastics can be further divided into two types: primary and secondary. Primary microplastics: plastics that are directly manufactured into the intended size, e.g., microbeads contained in cleansing scrubs. Secondary microplastics: plastic fragments that are created from the breaking down of larger plastic products through processes such as wave erosion, photodegradation and biodegradation. In the edible salts that were found to contain microplastics, the two most commonly found substances are poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polypropylene (PP). Where do plastics in our food come from? Regardless of the type, microplastics are similar to sediments and zooplanktons in terms of size and shape, and thus cannot be completely eliminated by the existing sewage treatment systems. Microplastics can therefore be ingested by marine organisms and enter the food chain. At the same time, plastic food packaging also represents another possible source of microplastics. In the test samples of edible salts mentioned above, the microplastics found may have come from contaminated raw materials or the products’ plastic packaging. If the contamination comes from raw materials, then it may also be related to other factors such as level of contamination, utilization and recycling rate of various plastic products and the stability of their chemical structures under different heat level, UV exposure and oxidation level. The effects of microplastics on us The microplastics in food are capable of absorbing harmful chemical substances and releasing their own additives. While currently it is still inconclusive in relation to microplastics’ effects on human bodies, prolonged intake of these chemical substances would certainly do no good to our bodies. How to eliminate microplastics from our food? The simplest way is to tackle the root cause. If we can adhere to the principle of sustainable consumption by reducing the use of plastic products or switching to degradable plastic products, or explore measures such as expanding the plastic bags levy and increasing recycling rates etc, we would be able to reduce the harmful effects brought by plastic pollution on the environment and all creatures. This would ultimately benefit us all. If you still do not have an idea on how often microplastics can be found in our food, you may refer to the article: “Metallic Contaminants Detected in More than 60% of Edible Salts Presence of Micro-plastics in 20% of Sea Salts Showing Urgent Need for Plastic Reduction”. CHOICE Magazine, Issue 522. The Consumer Council tested certain edible salts in the market, and from the results we realize that we simply cannot overlook the impact of environmental pollution.
