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Plastics, plastics everywhere … How do you
know what plastics pose health and environmental risks and what
ones are relatively safe?
Why do you care?
Research is uncovering problems with chemicals found in common
plastics - these chemicals include bisphenol A (BPA), polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) and phthalates.
Today we focus on BPA:
- BPA is the raw material of polycarbonate plastic and is
valued for its ability to withstand high temperatures, its
durability and transparency.
- BPA leaches from polycarbonate when exposed to hot liquids
or alkaline material.
- BPA's are used in common everyday products like water bottles,
baby bottles, kids cups, refillable plastic water jugs, and
food containers. If you're prepared - take a look at a more
extensive list and some alternatives.
- New research says "BPA doesn't work like a conventional
harmful agent - it's the smallest doses that may cause the
greatest harm, by stimulating estrogen receptors to produce
more estrogen. High doses may actually shut down estrogen
production. Thus the trace elements in so many of our everyday
products are of concern.1
- There are many health risks linked to hormone disrupting
chemicals. But remember these are not proven - the plastics
industry says there is no issue. Don't we all feel better?
- Environment Canada and Health Canada are reviewing BPA's
as one of 200 chemicals deemed "inherently toxic, possibly
dangerous and in need of thorough safety assessments"
in a national Chemical
Management Plan (CMP).
- The CMP will require the plastics
industry to provide data to prove BPA poses no risk to
humans or the environment. They say BPA is safe and does not
damage reproductive or developmental systems, nor lead to
cancer in humans.
The Know How
- Completely eliminating exposure to BPA is next to impossible,
so "be concerned - err on the side of caution - take
action where you can - but don't go to overboard."
- Look for the recycling symbol #7 -
- which indicate polycarbonate plastics composed of BPA. See
full list of plastic
symbols and meanings.
- Avoid microwaves, dishwashers and freezers - extreme temperatures
allow toxins to leach.
- Cracked, cloudy or worn out plastics should be sent out
to the trash, as #7's are not recyclable in most areas.
Double strike.
- Glass, ceramic and stoneware are the safest options when
it comes to food storage - no leaching. And really who
wants to ingest toxins?
- Check your sports drinking bottle, they likely have a #7
symbol. Consider plastics water containers with #1,#2, #4
or #5 or stainless steel.
- Sniff & Taste - if you can smell or taste the plastic
in a bottle, toss it in the recycling bin and get yourself
a new one.
Know and Tell
- Tamey no longer puts any "hot" food in plastic
containers, but uses glass. She has actually gone "off
the deep end" and no longer even uses the microwave at
home. (But that's a whole other story!)
- Patti went a bit crazy and sent all plastics (food storage,
plates, and cups) to the recycling bin - and replaced with
glass containers for storage in fridge and freezer. She swears
her lettuce stays fresher longer.
- A new trend started with Patti's work lunch bunch - the
"in thing" is to bring your soup, salad and
leftovers in glass containers. Now if we could only do something
about the styrofoam coffee cups in the caf!
- Replace a few items at a time. The next time you are at
your local grocery, hardware, or kitchen specialty shops,
pick up a few glass containers. Patti and Tamey both started
with large ones that they use to store soups and casseroles.
- Consider on-line shopping for some hard to find replacements.
Check out Life
without Plastics.
P.S. More on plastics to come later this summer …
1 An
Extensive New Literature Concerning Low-Dose Effects of Bisphenol
A Shows the Need for a New Risk Assessment, Frederick S.
vom Saal and Claude Hughes. Environmental Health Perspectives,
2005
2 Is
it Safe? Depends on who you ask. Shelley Page, Ottawa Citizen, April 22,
2007.
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