10 Ways To Avoid Toxic Plastic – BPA, Synthetic Estrogens and Your Child
Last week I wrote about a study that revealed interesting clues that may help us to understand why synthetic estrogens, including Bisphenol-A (BPA), found in many widely-used plastics, have a detrimental effect on a developing fetus.
BPA has been in the news recently; a New York Times article discusses Canada’s proposed ban, and parents have become more and more aware of the adverse effects of using baby bottles, pacifiers and soft rubber toys with their babies. But, the danger of synthetic estrogen can effect us all. So what can you do to avoid this toxin and provide a safe home for your family.?
Dr. Joesph Mercola, a well known osteopathic physician, author and natural health advocate has a few recommendations:
10 Tips to Reduce Your Exposure to BPA
1. Only use glass baby bottles and dishes for your baby (and yourself)
2. Give your baby natural fabric toys instead of plastic ones
3. Store your food and beverages – not plastic containers
4. IF you choose to use a microwave, don’t microwave food in a plastic container
5. Stop buying and consuming canned foods and drinks
6. Avoid using plastic wrap (and never microwave anything covered in it)
7. Get rid of your plastic dishes and cups, and replace them with glass varieties
8. If you opt to use plastic kitchenware, at least get rid of the older, scratched-up varieties, avoid putting them in the dishwasher, and don’t wash them with harsh detergents, as these things can cause more chemicals to leach into your food
9. Avoid using bottled water; filter your own using a reverse osmosis filter instead
10. Before allowing a dental sealant to be applied to your, or your children’s, teeth, ask your dentist to verify that it does not contain BPA
While it may seem difficult to follow all of these rules, the more you reduce your exposure to BPA, the better.
Related Posts:
Synthetic Estrogen Harms Reproductive System – Now We May Know Why
Sippy Cups, Baby Bottles, and BPA
Mother Can I Trust the Government?
Photo courtesy: New York Times
[...] cityrag wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptLast week I wrote about a study that revealed interesting clues that may help us to understand why synthetic estrogens, including Bisphenol-A (BPA), found in many widely-used plastics, have a detrimental effect on a developing fetus. … [...]
When I used to ride the bus daily and brought my lunch to work, putting everything in glass was just not workable. Now that I’m home, though, I think it’s time to start making the switch. Thanks for the post!
I’m really glad you are writing about this important issue. One clarification though. Not all plastics are created equal. It is not necessary to eliminate all plastics to get away from BPA exposure. In fact, polycarbonate plastics, usually labelled #7 and clear and hard, are the BPA leachers. Plastics numbered 2, 4, and 5 have not been found to leach estrogen mimicing compounds, and are fine to use at home. (This is from The Green Guide, which has great information about many topics). Also, my understanding is that not ALL canned goods are lined with polycarbonate, so its worth finding the ones that aren’t.
Yes, you are correct! The article I linked actually goes into some detail on this.
Only Eden Foods uses cans that are not lined with BPA.
http://www.reallynatural.com/archives/food/eco_food_friday_eden_foods_can.php
[...] Finally, someone is taking Estrogen mimetics seriously Having a baby? Read. Or don’t. I don’t [...]