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It's fairly common knowledge these days that plastic is NOT where it's at. The general public is becoming more educated about toxic substances like BPA, PVC and phthalates and finding creative ways to avoid them.
Unfortunately, advertising execs and media moguls are pretty creative too. The minute we learn about the dangers of BPA, they are hard at work, finding ways to salvage products and keep plastics on the shelves. It seemed to take only minutes, post-plastic expose, for "healthier" BPA-free plastics to hit the shelves.
BPA
Bisphenol-A, is an organic compound used to make clear hard shatterproof plastics. BPA both strengthens plastic and makes it more flexible. So if there's no BPA in the plastic you're buying...what makes the plastic strong? The substitute compounds can vary. Other members of the bisphenol family (like Bisphenol E) are a possibility as are a number of other polymers.
My friend, T, posted this fantastic research link from Environmental Health Perspectives a couple of weeks ago.
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1003220
The objective of the study: "To determine whether commercially available plastic resins and products, including baby bottles and other products advertised as BPA-free, release chemicals having estrogenic activity."
The Results: "Almost all commercially available plastic products we sampled, independent of the type of resin, product, or retail source, leached chemicals having reliably-detectable estrogenic activity, including those advertised as BPA-free. In some cases, BPA-free products released chemicals having more estrogenic activity than BPA-containing products.
Translation: Because of what they are using to replace BPA, BPA-free plastics have as much, if not more, hormone disrupting effects than regular plastics. Not good.
The bright side? The study indicates that affordable, safe alternatives to BPA are available. We just need to get manufacturers using them!
We may not be able to avoid plastics entirely, but I think having information about what we're using and why, really helps us as consumers to make the right choices!
Unfortunately, advertising execs and media moguls are pretty creative too. The minute we learn about the dangers of BPA, they are hard at work, finding ways to salvage products and keep plastics on the shelves. It seemed to take only minutes, post-plastic expose, for "healthier" BPA-free plastics to hit the shelves.
Most of us, myself included, were all too happy to purchase these products with clear conscience. Plastic is, after all, incredibly convenient. To this day, regardless of the number of glass storage containers I buy, there is inevitably a moment when I'm longing for a ziploc bag. We have Kleen Kanteens and stainless steel plates and bamboo forks and we use them. We really do love them. So why, oh why, does my toddler still insist on coveting a favorite plastic sippy cup?!
Who knows? We do our best and we go BPA-free when plastic sneaks into our lives. It seems to be a win-win situation. We get to keep our plastic and still be healthy. Right?
Well, I'm not so sure.....
I think it helps to know what BPA is and why it's in plastic. Then, it becomes easier to question how plastics might be made without these products. My friend T (also an ND) and I have often wondered...."if there's no BPA in it, what is in it?" and is the alternative any better for our health?
[weheartit.com]
Who knows? We do our best and we go BPA-free when plastic sneaks into our lives. It seems to be a win-win situation. We get to keep our plastic and still be healthy. Right?
Well, I'm not so sure.....
I think it helps to know what BPA is and why it's in plastic. Then, it becomes easier to question how plastics might be made without these products. My friend T (also an ND) and I have often wondered...."if there's no BPA in it, what is in it?" and is the alternative any better for our health?
[weheartit.com]
BPA
Bisphenol-A, is an organic compound used to make clear hard shatterproof plastics. BPA both strengthens plastic and makes it more flexible. So if there's no BPA in the plastic you're buying...what makes the plastic strong? The substitute compounds can vary. Other members of the bisphenol family (like Bisphenol E) are a possibility as are a number of other polymers.
BPA has been shown to have an estrogenic-like effect in the body, leading to hormone disruption. It also has two major effects on fat cells: it increases the number of fat cells in the body and enhances the fat-storing ability of those fat cells. It has been linked to cardiovascular disease, sterility, cancer, obesity, and more.
But, what about the BPA substitutes? How do BPA-free plastics compare. health-wise?
My friend, T, posted this fantastic research link from Environmental Health Perspectives a couple of weeks ago.
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1003220
The objective of the study: "To determine whether commercially available plastic resins and products, including baby bottles and other products advertised as BPA-free, release chemicals having estrogenic activity."
The Results: "Almost all commercially available plastic products we sampled, independent of the type of resin, product, or retail source, leached chemicals having reliably-detectable estrogenic activity, including those advertised as BPA-free. In some cases, BPA-free products released chemicals having more estrogenic activity than BPA-containing products.
Translation: Because of what they are using to replace BPA, BPA-free plastics have as much, if not more, hormone disrupting effects than regular plastics. Not good.
The bright side? The study indicates that affordable, safe alternatives to BPA are available. We just need to get manufacturers using them!
We may not be able to avoid plastics entirely, but I think having information about what we're using and why, really helps us as consumers to make the right choices!
Thoughts?
This is such a tricky one. I really got a wake up call when I had my first child, a son with a genital abnormality most likely caused by my eating microwaved foods from plastic containers during pregnancy. Since then I try really hard to only use glass, but recently I struggle. My two year old is going through a greek stage, in that every thing that touches her hands "opa!" and is thrown on the floor. Glass is a bonus because it shatters. Ilike the idea of stainless steel, but I'm forever loosing lids and I find they get gunky. Siiigh!
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