|
You’ve probably heard that plastic poses a danger to your health and is bad for the environment. However, how dangerous is it? What makes it so dangerous? Most importantly, what can we do to protect ourselves?
The Danger
Bisphenol, or BPA, is found in many drinking containers, including the lining of soda cans, plastic cutlery, food storage containers, your cell phone, car parts, medical equipment, the ink on your paper towels and your eyeglasses. It seems we cannot get away from this chemical. BPA may also migrate onto other substances such as food, water, saliva and into our water system via the plastic water bottles in our landfills.
This chemical can mimic estrogen in our bodies. It can enter our bloodstream through ingestion, inhalation or bathing. This is found to cause cancer, type 2 diabetes, autism, attention deficit disorder and many more health concerns that have been on the rise for the last few decades.
Phthalates is a chemical used to soften plastics. It is found in children’s toys, personal care products, vinyl products, food storage, hoses, and the outer coating of many pills, just to name a few. These too go into our food, water, the air and thus our bloodstream. The biggest concern is its effect on male reproductive toxicity and early development in children. The airborne phthalate particles can cause asthma and allergies.
Protect Yourself
Reduce your use of plastics that come into contact with your food. This means you should find another means of storage and transport rather than plastic bottles, baggies, or plastic storage containers. Do not use any of these in the microwave or drink and eat out of them after they have been sitting in heat. Use ceramic or glass containers instead.
Canned food is actually the highest contributor of BPA in our diet, so try to eat fresh or frozen foods as much as possible.
Make sure your child’s toys and bottles are labeled BPA free.
Use wooden or metal utensils when cooking.
Recycle the plastics you do use to keep them out of landfills and the water system.
Look for phthalate free cosmetics, especially nail polishes.
Use fragrance-free detergents, cleansers and personal care products. Most scented ones use diethyl phthalate.
Avoid products made of vinyl labeled as Number 3.
For more information on plastics and toxicities, visit http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ . For the safest plastics to use, go to http://greenerpenny.blogspot.com/2010/04/safest-plastics-for-holding-food.html |
