The New York Times published an article today (Earth Day, yay!) confirming rumors that many of us have been hearing for a while…that hard plastic water bottles and other hard plastic containers are harmful to your health. A substance called bisphenol-a, or BPA, is used in the creation of those hard plastic containers that are so popular because they’re touted as being shatter and crack proof (which FYI, I have had friends that have attempted to drive over their water bottles to test this theory and guess what, they can be shattered. I guess they aren’t intended to be used as speed bumps). These hard plastics are also used in baby bottles and storage containers, containers that many of us come in contact with daily. BPA is leaking into the foods and liquids in these containers, and it’s proving to be harmful. When injected into lab animals (boooooo animal testing), BPA has caused changes in mammary and prostate tissues, showing potential to cause cancer. The rumors are true! Geez, what doesn’t cause cancer these days?
So what can you do to protect yourself and your family? Kick those plastics to the curb!

If you carry a reusable water bottle (snaps to you for that) you should ditch the hard plastic bottle for an aluminum bottle like the stylish ones offered by Sigg (a Locallectual company, made and headquartered in Switzerland!). Now I’m not going to totally hate on all hard plastic manufacturers, the NYT article says Nalgene, along with children and infant good manufacturer, Playtex, have announced they will stop using the chemical in their products. But for now, buy aluminum or stainless steel.

Check out your food containers such as reusable storage containers (your Ziplocs and Gladware) and replace them for glass and porcelain containers, such as those offered by Locallectual company, Pyrex . If you can’t bear to use glass because you’re a klutz (cough, cough, me) or because you have children or such in your family, look for the soft plastic containers, and check for the number on the bottom. Hard plastics made with polycarbonates should carry the number 7 on the bottom and/or be labeled with a PC. Unfortunately, my favorite orange juice carries a 7 on the bottom…I might have to rethink my choice in juice, but it’s so good, so good.
So consider these things next time you pull out a container. And don’t think that just because these hard plastics are harmful, means that you can go back to commercial packaged water bottles! Buy a metal bottle. They are stylish and eco-minded…and safe!

Jess

Thanks to Col. Douglas for the link.

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