Is construction plastic toxic?

[Anneli91]

Hello! We are building polytunnels and I have noticed that certain construction plastics, like the one sold by Byggmax, are "not recommended for cultivation." What is dangerous about this? The plants do not have direct contact with the plastic. If it is dangerous, which plastics should be avoided? I would like a more in-depth explanation than "it can be toxic and should not be used for food." My garden hose is also made of plastic, what is the difference? Greenhouse plastic is made of polyethylene, but so is Biltema's construction plastic. I'm very curious about this!

 

[major_tom]

according to this link https://www.tunnelvaxthus.se/i-traedgarden/199-jaemfoerelse-mellan-olika-typer-av-vaexthusplast

Is not UV-resistant - age-resistant and UV-resistant are not the same. Construction plastic contains among other things: Calcium, tin, zinc, and barium in various compounds are used as stabilizers, and phthalates as plasticizers. It is the barium that gives the blue color. Other additives that may be found in construction plastic are: Anti-mold agents and flame retardants. Byggmax writes on its website:

"Since the product is both age and alkali stabilized, it should not be in contact with food and therefore should not be used in connection with cultivation."

Construction plastic is made to be used indoors inside a wall, where it doesn't have contact with sun or crops we eat.

on the other hand, they are a store selling greenhouse plastic, so they might have a reason to criticize others and promote their own product

 

[Anneli91]

according to this link [link]



on the other hand, they are a store that sells greenhouse plastic, so they might have a reason to criticize others and promote their own product

Yes, it is very incomplete information and I didn't get any wiser from it at all. But thanks anyway.

 

[major_tom]

otherwise, people have been using construction plastic for greenhouses for a long time, so you surely won't get sick directly

 

[Urban J A]

I don't think regular construction plastic is dangerous. However, it is not fully UV-stabilized. It becomes brittle in just a year or so if it's exposed to sunlight.

 

[useless]

The problem is probably UV resistance. Ordinary construction plastic is made of polyethylene - the same material as in plastic bags, bottles, water pipes, etc. If the material were dangerous, people would have gotten sick from other products than construction plastic a long time ago.