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Are plastic containers safe???? Our homes are full of plastic, and the kitchen is no exception. The problem: Chemicals in plastic containers and other kitchenware may leach into the foods or drinks that they're holding. Scientific evidence suggests that some of these chemicals may be harmful to people, especially infants and . The two best-studied offenders are bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. BPA mimics estrogen and has been shown to disrupt hormone and reproductive system function in animals. Research by the National Toxicology Program found a moderate level of concern about its "effects on the brain, behavior and prostate gland in fetuses, infants and ." Phthalates have been shown to disrupt the endocrine system and have led to malformations in the male reproductive system in animals. Studies in humans have found associations between high phthalate exposure and a variety of health concerns including low sperm quality, high waist circumference and insulin resistance. Researchers are still debating whether phthalates and BPA actually cause these health problems and, if so, how much exposure is necessary to trigger them. While these issues are being figured out, some experts recommend taking a preventive approach: "Minimize contact of food with problematic plastics as a precautionary measure to protect your health," suggests Rolf Halden, PhD, adjunct associate professor of environmental health sciences at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Here are six simple tips for reducing your exposure to the potentially harmful chemicals in plastics. 1. Know the code. Look on the bottom of your plastic to find the recycling symbol (a number between 1 and 7 enclosed in a triangle of arrows). The code indicates the type of plastic you are using and can give you important clues about safety. "We generally say 1, 2, 4 and 5 are considered to be the safest," says Sonya Lunder, senior analyst at the Environmental Working Group. Try to avoid using plastics with 3 or 6, as these leach chemicals that may be harmful. Number 7 is an "other" category that includes BPA-containing plastics called polycarbonates. These plastics, which you should avoid, will have the letters PC printed underneath the 7. 2. Reconsider the microwave. Heat can increase the rate at which chemicals like BPA leach from plastic. Containers labeled "microwave safe" have been tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and found to leach extremely small amounts, which the FDA has determined to be safe. However, some experts advise people to keep plastic out of the microwave altogether. "I don't microwave anything in plastic," says Lunder. "It's really easy and fast to put my food into a ceramic or glass container and heat it that way." And never put plastic wrap on top of your food in the microwave, since it can melt. Use wax paper or a paper towel instead. 3. Use it for its intended purpose. Plastics that are designed for single use should only be used once. "Plastic breaks down over time," Lunder explains. "Some aren't designed to withstand heating and cooling." Most plastics with recycling code number 1 are intended for single use, such as disposable water bottles. And that takeout container from six months ago? Toss it. In general they're fine for refrigerating leftovers, but aren't designed for heat exposure or long-term use. 4. Wash by hand. Only put plastics into the dishwasher if they have a dishwasher safe label. If you want to be extra-cautious, wash all plastics by hand or use only glass and ceramic plates and dishes. In the dishwasher, plastics are exposed to detergents and heat, which may accelerate the leaching of BPA from food containers. 5. Do not freeze. Only put plastics in the freezer if they have a freezer-safe label. Freezer temperatures can cause plastics to deteriorate, which increases the leaching of chemicals into the food when you take containers out of the freezer to thaw or reheat. 6. Don't panic. Cutting down on exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in plastics can benefit your health. But as Dr. Halden reminds us, "Many things in your life pose a much higher risk than exposure to plastics, such as smoking, poor diet and even driving a car." |
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Ill smoke, drive car and use my plastic credit card every day.
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we utilize many things, before science determines the full impact - in every category of commodity, money become the matter, before full studies reveal what is within. Unfortunately, if the full study were conducted first, products on the market would be longer time spans before it reaches the market. In everything man does to preserve and store up things, the more toxicity we create, from preserving chemicals, to every other thing that seeks to prolong things for stored hoarding. its quite amazing, the animals, generally in nature, are provided for by their skill to gain food by days, and there are certain things they can and do store, such as nuts and etc... but we try to preserve meats in a hundred different ways, and we also do the same for other foods, but time, conditions and prep, have such an impact on the natural readiness of foods. Not much in this area may change, because mankind will always seek ways to 'store up things for later usage".. how its done can be many things. We now see meats stored in plastic containers, on the shelf called "Ready to eat", or simply " heat and eat', this range from roast beef to chicken and bacon being packaged and stored on open shelf spaces in stores. We also, have other things, such as cars, which is filled with plastic, and when we enter a car in 100 degree temperature, we breath in the toxins that seep from the plastics when the heat rise in the car. lots of advances have been made. but even today, we may soon learn that the old clay pots may work better than the new plastics, and the old cast iron skillets still cook better and more evenly than the new material with the specialized no stick coating. an evolutionary change to these things may be a long time coming... thank goodness our bodies are such complex organisms, it has capability to fight off such much more than we know, and man still does not understand the extent of the amazement of the living organism known as our human existence, it appears, that in the make up of what is a human being, nothing was omitted to be considered, in what the body was designed in capability to engage and deal with ..
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