What is Polypropylene?

Polypropylene is a type of plastic that can be commonly found in households as well as in commercial and industrial settings.  It can be found in a variety of applications.  One of its many benefits is that it can be used as a structured type of product or as a fiber type of plastic product.

Household Uses

Over 50% of the non-woven polypropylene items are made into diapers or sanitary products that are treated to absorb water.  Other non-woven household uses are for items such as:

·         Filters for air, gas and liquids

·         Water filters

·         Air Conditioning Filters

Polypropylene is also used in the fabrication of cold weather clothing items such as long sleeve shirts and long underwear.  It is also used in warm weather clothing that wicks away moisture from the skin.

Medical Uses

Polypropylene is commonly used medically as a synthetic, nonabsorbable suture.  It has been used in hernia and pelvic organ repair operations.  This protects the body from new hernias occurring in the same location.  Polypropylene is used in the creation of a mesh material that is placed over the hernia spot and sits below the skin.  It is painless and rarely rejected by the body.

Uses

According to the Environmental Working Group, polypropylene is not classified as a carcinogen for humans.  It is also not suspected to be an environmental toxin either.

Polypropylene is commonly used for injection molding to make items such as:

·         Reusable Bags

·         Food and Beverage Storage

·         Bottle Caps

·         Drinking Straws