That Water Bottle Contains Toxins?
I have A LOT of plastic ware in my house. Tupperware, Rubbermaid, and many off-brands. I also have a lot of cups that DD has gotten whenever we eat out at a restaurant. I always bring these home because I don’t want them to be thrown in the trash after she drinks two sips out of the things! I have a few Nalgene bottles that we have used for hiking, working out, etc. Then there are ALL of the plastic bowls, plates, Sippy cups, spoons, and forks that DD has for eating and drinking
I have always thought that these things are normal household necessities. And, granted, they have really helped out our lives along with a tremendous amount of other products that contain plastics. This post is not to bash plastic. But I will also not praise plastics. Although there are some very serious drawbacks to the fact that we all now live on a PLASTIC planet, there are some benefits to this material that has changed the world. What I will be on my soap box about in this post, is the fact that many of the plastics that we use for our everyday lives, including items like baby bottles, contain a component called bisphenol A or BPA, and this material, may be a BIG problem for us all.
Why do I say MAY BE? Well, as a former scientist, I understand that without actual data, no ‘real’ proof exists. However, I also understand that simple testing on laboratory animals does demonstrate the potential hazards that substances have to humans. And, once again, I believe that our scientists, corporations, and our government, have all failed us! Let’s look at an example:
Take cigarettes. I grew up in North Carolina where tobacco was, and still is, a major part of the economy especially for small farms that were ran by working class families. Those families were all hard-hit by the decline in tobacco sales following the fall-out over the industries knowledge of the link between cancer and tobacco and the addictive properties of nicotine. The same is true of many of the products that we consume, not just tobacco. But until someone blew the whistle, the corporations continued to profit from something that was dangerous and deadly to their customers. And they knew it! Why tell the whole story when there is money to be made!
Thankfully, the media has picked up the story and brought a lot of attention to the use of BPA in items like baby bottles. This has caused some companies to modify their manufacturing processes and stop using BPA. Some distributors and stores have also pulled products containing BPA from their shelves. But, there are still many more who find no reason to change their policies, at least not until there is some hard evidence to implicate BPA as the cause of serious medical conditions. And, right now, there is no government agency requiring any action from manufacturing companies or distributors. Any change, at this point, is up to us; the users and consumers.
So what is the big deal about this chemical anyway? Well, in animal studies, BPA, which mimics the hormone estrogen, has caused numerous problems. No, we aren’t mice and there are a million arguments to say that testing on mice is not a sound way to determine the affects on people. But if you really think about it for a moment, the human body is a fine-tuned machine. If you disrupt that machine by introducing substances that are foreign, the body will work to restore balance to the entire system. But as wonderful as the human body is, it can only take so much invasion before it collapses. And there is evidence that this substance has a huge impact on the unborn who are exposed to the toxin while still in the womb!
BPA in and of itself is not necessarily a bad chemical. There are many chemical compounds that serve great purposes but we don’t necessarily want to EAT them! How BPA is used might just contribute to health problems and here are the many diseases that BPA has been linked to:
· Cancer
· Parkinson’s Disease
· Diabetes
· Reproductive Problems
So why isn’t anything being done? Well, like most of the studies performed on products, the main goal is to get whatever it is, to market as quickly as possible. This is also true of pharmaceutical drugs. The thinking is that something has to be done to make things better for those who are suffering. Scientists look at the overall human response to substances in large doses. If there are no adverse affects within a certain period of time after the initial exposure, the product is considered safe. What most studies do not consider or analyze is the long-term exposure of small doses. We have seen evidence of this problem in pharmaceutical drugs that are on the market for short periods of time and then are recalled due to serious medical side-effects. The intention is good – get products out there that will improve health and quality of life – but the long-term studies have not been completed and the results can be deadly.
So what can we do to protect ourselves? I am not sure if there is a way to reverse the damage that may have been done to ourselves and/or our children. But we can take steps to avoid further exposure and damage. Go through your cabinets and evaluate everything that is plastic. Look at the recycle number (if there is a 7 there is a very good chance that it contains BPA) and do some research on the internet. Some companies like Rubbermaid have a lot of information about BPA on their websites and even include pictures of all of their products that do and do not contain BPA. But not all companies are so up-front. You may have to do some digging or just make some decisions on what you will or will not keep. I know this seems extreme so just do what you think is right for you and your family. Here is a short list of items that may contain BPA:
· Water bottles
· Baby bottles
· Nalgene bottles
· Canned foods (the lining in the can)
· Canned drinks (the lining in the can)
· Dental sealants
You can also be careful when shopping for storage containers and packaged food products. If you can, store your food in glass. Buy unprocessed foods as much as possible or purchase products that are in containers that do not contain BPA.
As always, just be aware of what you are buying and do whatever you can to keep yourself healthy. No, taking these steps will not make you live forever. But, they may make you healthier and keep your body and mind in better shape than those who choose not to take these types of precautions.
And finally, check out this interview with Dr. Frederick vom Saal about BPA that was included as the final segment of VBS.TV’s recent documentary on garbage island. We cannot avoid plastics. They are in almost everything and have certainly made our lives more convenient. But we can make better decisions about how they are used and eliminate the negative impact they have on our lives.
OK – Go clean out your cabinets! And don’t throw the things in the trash! Remember our no trash challenge? Sell, donate, recycle, or find other uses for these items! Have FUN!
If you want more information on BPA, just Google bisphenol A. And, thegreenguide.com has a great article that will give you even more details!
