Pure know-how
Executive Lifestyles: Reducing toxins key to improving health
By Ottawa Business Journal Staff Thu, Mar 6, 2008 9:00 AM EST
http://www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/312958354849899.php
While the old adage of an apple a day to keep the doctor away is as true
as ever, maintaining good health now depends as much upon what we don't
put into our bodies as what we do. Although eating wholesome, nutritious
food is definitely worthwhile, reducing or eliminating the use of toxic
products is another important step towards improving one's overall health.
Numerous studies highlight the fact that many plastics, along with chemicals in food and personal care products, are not only polluting the environment, but our bodies as well. As concern mounts, two local websites have become popular resources in the quest to understand how, as consumers, we just might inadvertently be doing ourselves harm.
According to Jay Sinha of Wakefield's Life Without Plastic, the worldwide dependence on plastic is more than just a growing environmental disaster as information about health risks from certain plastics continues to appear in reputable scientific literature.
"Evidence is growing that chemicals leached from plastics used in cooking and food or drink storage are harmful to human health. The most disturbing of these are hormone (endocrine) disrupters, such as bisphenol A (BPA), which have been linked to the growth of cancer cells," Mr. Sinha explains.
"Exposure to BPA poses concerns for neural and behavioural effects in pregnant women, fetuses, infants and children. In general, the health risks of plastic are significantly amplified in children, whose immune and organ systems are still developing and are more vulnerable."
Detailed information on the various types of plastics and their potentially harmful chemical components can be found at www.lifewithoutplastic.com. Mr. Sinha encourages consumers to look at the resin identification code found on many, but not all, plastic food storage containers and packaging as a way of identifying the resin used to make a plastic product.
As a personal rule of thumb for food and drink purposes, he and his family limit their use of plastics numbered 1, 3, 6 and polycarbonate 7 (used in popular brands of refillable water bottles), all of which have been shown to leach potentially dangerous chemicals. This does not necessarily mean the others (2, 4, 5 and non-polycarbonate 7) are completely safe, just that they have been studied less to date.
"Really, the first step is to try to be more informed about the plastics you do use," suggests Mr. Sinha. "Some argue the research on health effects from chemicals leaching from plastics is not yet conclusive enough to take action. But we prefer to take a precautionary approach and are finding there are more and more people who feel the same way.
"It is hard for many to imagine a life without plastic," he acknowledges, "but alternatives are becoming easier to find." Mr. Sinha notes that stainless steel water bottles and food storage containers are now available through many retailers, both traditional and online. Glass baby bottles and Japanese lacquerware dishes are also becoming increasingly popular as they are great substitutes for plastic.
Many people use a multitude of products in and around the home, unaware of their toxic components, which are often listed in print too fine to be read without a magnifying glass. The Ottawa-based website www.pureknowhow.com says that on average, women use 12 personal care products every day, exposing themselves to a variety of potentially harmful ingredients.
Pure Know How's Patti Murphy and Tamey McIntosh share not only their diligent research about toxins to avoid, but also the results of their families' conscientious testing of personal care and household products that do not contain harmful ingredients.
In the case of skin care, for example, Ms. Murphy and Ms. McIntosh warn that many products may include ingredients such as mineral oil and petrolatum which clog pores and disturb skin's natural respiration, as well as those which are known to irritate skin. Furthermore, ingredient lists frequently feature possible and known carcinogens as well as known hormone disruptors such as parabens and phthalates.
"Of particular concern is the fact that skin moisturizers lie on large areas of the skin for extended periods of time, which increases exposure," says Ms. Murphy.
Pure Know How also provides valuable tips on seeking out safer alternatives. They suggest consumers look for labels that note only natural ingredients or certified organic, as well as plant-based ingredients that provide long term benefits to skin such as beeswax, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, shea butter, and others.
"One of the best ways to get started is to find a reputable local supplier of alternative products, such as a natural foods store. Compare the label on a bottle of organic shampoo with a national brand and you won't believe the difference." As Ms. Murphy points out, "most of us are becoming much more conscientious about reading the nutrition labels on food packaging. Now it's time to do the same thing for other consumer goods."
By Paula Roy
Special to the Ottawa Business Journal