Disaster in India
Two cooks realised something was very wrong when children in a rural Indian school started collapsing. What doctors claim was organophosphate, a deadly insecticide, is believed to have been stored in a container that was later used to hold cooking oil.
Recycled Material – From Where?
While this is an extremely serious example of cross-contamination, it highlights the importance of ensuring that your tank comes from a trusted source. The plastic used to package your food – no matter how recyclable it is, cannot be used to package food after being recycled. This is because no one knows what could have been stored in it. We’ve all used those ice cream containers for things other than creamy goodness. The same principle applies to plastic used in water tanks.
From 2006, governments offered major rebates for water tanks, and tank companies sprouted like mushrooms after the rain. After these over-nighters went bust, their tanks soon followed suit, and the remaining manufactures jumped at the chance to remove faulty water tanks. It was virtually free plastic. While recycling polyethylene from other sources works well in theory, it’s a very dangerous game to play in practise. What could have been originally bought as a water tank may have previously been used to store fertiliser, fuel or other toxic chemicals.
Cheap Second-hand Tanks
An IBC storage container is another tempting alternative to buying a virgin-material water tank. They’re cheap, accessible, and handy. Issues arise when an IBC’s storage history is unknown. Insecticides and pesticides are hazards down to a few parts per million, where they are still potentially harmful, even when diluted. Rinsing an IBC with water does not necessarily protect from what may be lurking within, or what may have once been there.
A Safe Choice
Safety and quality are paramount when deciding what type of water storage unit to invest in. We recommend ensuring that you know the exact history of your product; whether new or recycled, for your own health.
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