Are plastic containers safe????
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Posted:Sep 26, 2010 2:15 am
Last Updated:Oct 27, 2010 3:33 am 5957 Views
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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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感人故事
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Posted:Sep 25, 2010 3:46 am
Last Updated:Sep 28, 2010 8:32 pm 5652 Views
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人—是感情的动物，但是咱们东方人往往都只会将感情给埋藏在心里头，无论是对父母，兄弟姐妹，亲朋戚友，甚至是对于爱人，人们都往往很难将“我爱你”这三个字给说出口。其实另一方并不是咱们肚子里的蛔虫，不要以他（她）应该会明白来作为借口，不要吝啬的对他（她）说出那三个字。
在此愿与大家分享我曾经读过一篇感人的文章，愿大家共勉之。
故事背景是中国，年份是1949年。一位母亲叫五岁的孩子到外头去打一瓶酱油，小孩出门后刚巧遇上了共产党与国民党内讧，当时一群人员节节败退，小孩就这样的被夹在人海当中，被人海给慢慢的推挤上了前往台湾的船只，小孩就这样的在1949年来到了台湾，从此“一湾浅浅的海峡，儿子在这头，母亲在那头”。
可以想象，一个当时才五岁的小孩子，离开了父母，孤身的来到了一个陌生的地方，那种彷徨和无助的心情，从此之后得一个人面对着生活上的煎熬。
直到上个世纪90年代，台湾终于允许人民返回大陆探亲，其他人都买了电风扇，电视机等等的家庭电器打算带回到大陆去，而这位已经是年迈五十几岁的“小孩”却只是买了一瓶酱油。
当巴士距离家乡还有几公里的路程时，“小孩”的心情战战兢兢，也不晓得母亲还在不在人世间，他就这样心情紧绷的一路抵达了家乡。
家乡经过了五十年的洗礼后已经不再是他脑海中所记载的那个样子，一切都改变了，他几经辛苦才查获母亲的所在地。
结果，他终于站在母亲房子的外头，心情紧张的敲了一下门，不久后门打开了，他看见了白发苍苍的母亲开口问他道：“你找谁呀？”，“小孩”这时双腿跪在地上，双手举起了那瓶酱油，流着眼泪泣道：“妈，我将酱油给打回来了。”，母亲当时给呆住了，她没有想到还有机会再见到儿子，眼泪不停的从脸颊上流下，她紧紧的抱着饱经风霜的儿子泣诉：“儿呀，你一瓶酱油打了50年啊！”
不晓得您对以上的这篇文章有何感想。。。记得不要等失去了才来后悔，不要等他（她）已经不在了才说出这三个字，他（她）已经听不到了，他（她）可能已经带着遗憾的离开了。
JoShen88
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