Do containers/reservoirs need to be food safe/food grade?

[PiraticalDoc]

I have been researching this question on the internet, and I am finding conflicting information. Has any study demonstrated the presence of contamination from plastics in the smoke of cannabis grown in plastic DWC containers? Just thinking logically, it seems unlikely that nasty molecules could 1. separate from the plastic, then, 2. Enter AND combine with the plant tissue (particularly the flower), then, 3. survive in the bud during curing, then, 4. get released by and carried in the smoke, then, 5. stay united with the smoke while passing through the bubbly filter of water in a bong, then 6. be present in sufficient amounts to cause the smoker to be affected by them. It just seems like the contaminants would have to go through a lot of filtering events from the wall of the container, through the water, the roots, the plant body, the flowers, the harvest, the combustion, and (in my case) the water in the bong, to finally reach a place in the human body where it is not only received, but is also harmful. Does anyone know the actual science? My “thinking logically” is certainly insufficient to establish whether or not I’m right. I have lived long enough to have a lengthy history of “logically thinking” the wrong thing.

 

[ChadWestport]

Not that I have seen, I know many commercial places using containers made of plastic and I would not imagine those were food grade. I understand where you are coming from with your concern. If this is for a personal grow, they are small enough that spending a few extra bucks on containers isn't going to break you. I know when I chose a tent, off-gassing from the material was one of my concerns. Unless the plastic is reacting to the nutrients and changing it molecular structure and breaking down, I don't think there will be a large concern from contaminant. Plastic containers have been used for decades in regular agriculture, so I don't suspect anything foul. I'd almost be more concerned about some of these cheap fabric pots leaching chemicals into the water that the roots are absorbing.

 

[DW2]

Howdy PiraticalDoc, I have used plastic totes for several grows now and the only problem that I have had is that when they are new, the pH will fluctuate until the tote becomes 'cured' or stable, usually (in my experience) after the first grow. One could soak the tote with water, (pH'ed to 7.0) and let it stand for 34 to 48 hours to see if the pH value has changed.. Repeat this cycle until there is no significant change.
I would definitely not use glazed (because of possible lead content) or un-glazed ceramic containers.
As far as the micro plastic particles, if You drink bottled water, it is prover to contain microscopic plastic particles from the manufacturing and filling processes.

 

[PiraticalDoc]

Yes, you’ve hit it. One of my greatest concerns is the chemical alteration or transfer of the plastic in contact with nutrients. Ingesting micro plastic partials is probably unavoidable in modern life, but I’m not sure we should smoke them. I could replace all my reservoirs with food grade buckets for very cheap, but what I really want to use is a 7 gallon rectangular tote. This gives me flat sides for the drain spigot and the lid has room for two openings - one for the plant and one for access. They’re made from #2 plastic (usually good), but it’s recycled and may use a toxic release agent.

 

[PiraticalDoc]

The idea of soaking the tote is appealing. The changes in ph indicate leaching. When the change stops, that would indicate that the leaching is at least greatly reduced.

I agree that the micro plastic particulates are an inevitable part of our lives now. We ingest them every day. I’m more concerned about what they or other compounds might give off when burned if they are present in the plant matter.

I think I’ll just learn to blow glass and make some containers with serious chemical stability.

 

[ChadWestport]

I think your answer is going to vary by manufacturer. Not all 7 gal #2 plastic bins are created equal...... I'd imagine?

 

[DW2]

PiraticalDoc, instead of learning a new trade, You might look for some 'old fashioned' glazed ceramic water coolers (jugs), the type with a large lid on top and a spigot at the bottom. The ones that I've seen in the past were about 1 1/2 - 2 gallon in capacity, but I have not seen any in a long time (everything is cheaper in plastic!).