Plastic safety in question

How safe are the plastics you use to store your food and beverages?  What about the plastics your children play with day to day?  Recent research is bringing to light some not so pretty results.  And, although some groups, including the Food and Drug Administration (www.fda.gov) feel that most plastics release such small amounts of chemicals that the human effect would be negligible, other groups are a great deal more wary. 

 

On the whole, plastics have been getting bad publicity lately.  Much of the bad press, however, is related to research – including that done by the Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov) and other health groups.  While personally, I believe there are certain types of plastics we should try to avoid to protect our health and the health of the planet, it is also important to know that plastics are a huge part of where we are today – making up a large percentage of medical devices, appliances, automotives, industry materials and electrics (including your cell phone that some say may raise the risk of cancer, autism or other conditions…of course, that is a whole other issue).  It may be a “catch 22”, though, since we benefit from them but also may be harmed by them.  You see, plastics can release chemicals into the environment during their production and also often their use and degradation (i.e. in landfills or in the repeated re-use of water bottles).  The implications on human health, including whether these chemicals increase the risk for cancer or childhood illnesses, however, are not fully known.

 

Take some calm in the fact that we can take many steps when it comes to the foods and beverages we consume and how to store them safely.  Listed below are some steps you can take to better the earth and your health.  If you choose to use plastics safely, you can lower your exposure to harmful chemicals such as BPA (Bisphenol A) and phthalate – both of which may disrupt human hormones when they leach out of plastics and into foods and beverages.  Even though a June 2008 European report is now revising their stance on BPA and feels it may not be a risk to human health, other reports point otherwise.  The conservative approach is to avoid it.  Additionally, recent research suggests fetal phthalate exposure may disrupt male genital formation and reduce sperm counts (see USA Today link below).  More research is needed but, again, the conservative approach is to avoid pthalates, too.

 

• Look at the bottom of plastic containers for the recycling symbol (a triangle made of chasing arrows).  The number inside that symbol indicates the type of plastic used.  Avoid plastics with the numbers 3, 6 and 7.  Safer plastics include numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5.
• Avoid refilling disposable water or beverage bottles, such as the water sold in cases at the grocery store.  In fact, try not to buy them at all, since they create a lot of waste.  Americans throw out more than 30 million water bottles per day!  Although most of these bottles are made of safer plastics, they can still degrade and release chemicals into the water you drink – especially after repeated use or if they get hot (say, sitting in your hot car or in hot storage).
• Instead of buying disposable water bottles, buy a thermos-style water bottle to refill on your own.  Safer brands include Thermos, Kleen Kanteen, Sigg, Thinksport and New Wave.
• Limit the use of plastic cling wrap.  If you do use it, try not to let it touch the food – and definitely do not put it in the microwave or let it sit on top of hot food.  Some companies are developing newer types of cling wrap with less harmful ingredients – so, this may certainly help the industry!
• Choose fresh or frozen produce when you can, to avoid exposure to BPA, which can leach out of canned food/drink linings and into the food/drink.  Do not worry about eating canned foods or drinks some of the time.  The effect is likely more harmful if these foods are eaten in large quantities. 
• Store food in glass, stainless steel, porcelain or ceramic containers.  If you choose to continue using plastic containers, avoid filling them with hot foods/beverages and try to wash them by hand, rather than in the dishwasher.
• Choose baby bottles made of glass or BPA-free materials.  Most companies are choosing to remove BPA from baby bottles in the near future.  Safe brands include Born Free, Sassy MAM, Medela, Think Baby Bottles, Adiri, Green to Go, Evenflo, Momo, Dr Brown’s glass bottles, Wee-go and the Playtex Drop-in Liners (the liners and nipples are BPA-free, but the bottles are not yet).  Other brands may be available, too.  Playtex should be all BPA-free by the end of the year.

 

While we can worry that all the materials around us may harm our health in some way (especially if taken in high doses), it is important to take small steps.  Do the things realistic for your lifestyle to reduce your risks for exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. And, remember, it is likely that small amounts of these chemicals may indeed have no effect on human health.  High exposure in adults or any exposure to fetuses, infants and children may be the biggest health threat. 

 

See the post below, written in August 2007, and added to the site today to give you further information.

 

Here are some more links you may find helpful:

 

http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/more_news_on_bpa_and_regulatory_failure/

http://www.factsonplastic.com/

http://healthychild.org/

http://www.plasticsinfo.org

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-02-Boy-genitals_N.htm 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/05/AR2009030503285.html

Keep foods and drinks safe when using plastics

The safety of many types of plastics is in question a lot lately.  So, is this just another area on the list of products to avoid in our day to day lives?  Well, it may be.

 

Plastics play a huge role in our daily lives – especially when you think about food and drink packaging and storage.  We use plastic wraps, disposable plastic containers, condiment bottles, you name it.  Many of us microwave foods in plastic containers and drink beverages like water and soda from plastic bottles on a daily basis.  Pet food is often stored in plastic tubs and babies drink from plastic bottles.  Metal cans (i.e. for canned vegetables) are lined in plastic.  Plastics are everywhere. 

 

Of recent interest is the concern over plastic baby bottles.  In 1999, Consumer Reports issued concerns that a chemical, known as bisphenol A (BPA) could leach from baby bottles.  The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and plastics industry tried to calm consumers and said consumers need not worry and that there was no health risk from plastic baby bottles.

 

However, this year, a panel of experts from the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) published a statement in the journal, Reproductive Toxicology, that BPA is a chemical that raises “high concern” for children.  The chemical itself has been shown to increase the risk of cancer and reproductive damage in laboratory animals.  The FDA is currently re-investigating the issue.

 

This of course has sent many moms in a craze to find BPA-free baby bottles.  Now, many baby and parenting sources are recommending switching to BPA-free bottles, which can more easily be identified by their opaque color.  BPA bottles are clear.  According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), BPA was found in the bodies of 95% of Americans tested.  A recent news report stated that the highest concern for BPA exposure is to fetuses and newborns.

 

If you feel overwhelmed by the latest health concerns over plastics, you are not alone.  There are plenty of groups out there telling you to avoid certain products and only choose certain others.

 

To make it more simple, try to follow these tips about plastic safety:

 

• Avoid using plastic wrap or plastic containers in the microwave, since they may release unsafe chemicals when heated
• Only refill disposable water bottles a few times before recycling, to avoid breakdown products from leaching into your water
• Avoid using #3, #6 and #7 baby bottles and sippy cups (look at the bottom of the bottle for the number designation)
• Choose safer plastics for food storage (#1, #2, #4 and #5) or use glass, lead-free ceramic or stainless steel
• Try not to put very hot products into plastic containers
• Toss any worn or scratched plastic containers
• Purchase toys from natural materials and pay attention to recall lists.  The recent scares about lead-tainted paint found on children’s toys has increased toy safety concerns
• Use paper shopping bags, rather than plastic.  Better bet – bring your own canvas shopping bags to reduce waste!

 

We cannot avoid all the “potential” health concerns in our world.  However, we can educate ourselves, be wary of product recalls, choose natural and minimally processed foods and containers and have regular medical check ups.  As more and more is known about potential health hazards, more and more companies will offer alternative, safer products.  If you see a product for sale that is marketed as being a safe alternative, figure out whether it is all hype or worth the expense.  And, don’t forget – balance is key.  You cannot win every battle nor avoid every hazardous exposure.  All you can do is your best.  Reading this article and gaining more knowledge is a great place to start.

 

Julie Whittington is a Registered Dietitian in the Lake Norman area.  Reach her at juliewhittingtonrd@yahoo.com.