Plastic Fantastic?

These days it seems plastic is everywhere. It is used for bottles, containers, toys, and many other items we use daily. Plastic has been an affordable material, but the hidden cost may be our health. Many plastics leach harmful chemicals into food and drinks. The dangers are increased when plastics are exposed to excessive heat such as in a microwave or dishwasher.

What can you do to insure you aren't feeding these toxic chemicals to your children? If possible replace your plastic food storage containers with glass containers. If you are going to store food in plastic containers at least reheat the food on a plate and don't put the plastic in the microwave.

Some plastics are safer than others. Select safe plastics that use polyethylene (#1, #2, and #4) and polypropylene (#5), which require the use of less toxic additives. They also are non-chlorinated. Avoid choosing products that use polyvinyl chloride (#3), polystyrene (#6), and polycarbonate (#7) which often are found in baby bottles or sippy cups.

Be aware of plastic in your child’s surroundings. There are so many options for children's toys including organic cotton and hemp dolls, play silks, and wood toys. There is no reason to subject your loved ones to the toxins in petroleum based toys.

The chemical that is released from polycarbonate plastics is Bisphenol A (BPA). Many recent studies show that exposure to BPA may cause negative health effects. BPA leaching is greater in polycarbonate that is scratched or showing signs of wear.

Another chemical to be concerned with is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC plastics may expose you to lead since lead is used as a stabilizer in PVC. The lead breaks down with exposure to heat and light. PVC forms hydrochloric acid when it degrades, which causes the plastic to lose strength. Stabilizers, often times lead are added to prevent this deterioration from occurring.

Use of certain plastics may also result in exposure to phthalates. You may digest diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) from using plastic food wraps for storage. DEHP is classified as a probable human carcinogen and also causes health problems, such as liver and kidney abnormalities. Breathing dust contaminated by phthalates that have escaped from vinyl products used in the home may be a significant exposure for children. Also, many children’s toys are made out of phthalate-softened vinyl.

Recent studies have linked plastics to endocrine disruption in babies, many cases of cancer, birth defects, and poor brain and nervous system development.
BPA exposure may impair brain function, leading to learning disabilities. A study on lab rats found that exposure to BPA before birth permanently changed DNA, increasing the odds of developing cancer.

The bottom line is that plastic definitely poses a health risk. When you think of the plastic you may have in your home or that you allow your children to play with, it is scary. There are many other options available for food storage and for children's toys. Your child would be just as happy with organic cotton dolls, wood toys, and silk toys.