The Hazards of Certain Plastics

I don't know if it's specific to the San Francisco area or not (we tend to be on the forefront of environmental issues around here), but it seems that every time I turn around lately I keep hearing about the hazards of certain plastics. I am confident that rumors about plastics' detrimental impact on our health have circulated for years, but apparently, some recent studies have helped to tease apart the truth from the hype, which I am sure is contributing to the recent buzz.

There are basically two key health issues related to plastic that are important for every parent to understand:

The first issue is PVC. PVC is a chemical used to make many types of plastic products from shower curtains to hoses to IV bags. PVC is generally quite rigid (for example, it's commonly used in the construction industry to replace wood and metal) but can be made softer and more flexible by the addition of plasticizers, the most widely used being "phthalates" (pronounced thay-lates). While flexibility is obviously an attractive and necessary attribute for many products, the downside is that PVC contains the known carcinogen vinyl chloride and phthalates have been linked to reproductive birth defects, early onset of puberty, asthma, and reduced testosterone in boys. And when you begin think back and realize just how many products your children may have come into contact with which must contain these chemicals (think squishy bath toys, pacifiers, baby bottle nipples, teething rings -- yikes!) the thought is overwhelming.

The use of PVC and phthlatates for children's toys has been going on for years, but in January 2006, the European Union actually stepped up and placed a ban on six types of phthalate softeners used in making toys. The US government, unfortunately, has not followed suit. The city of San Francisco has, though: a ban on all products containing PVC, phthalates and bisphenol A which are targeted to children age 3 or under went into effect December 1, 2006. Chalk this up as one more reason why I love living in the Bay Area!

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is the second issue. Bisphenol A is found in hard, clear polycarbonate plastic such as Nagene bottles, many types of baby bottles, and other plastic containers. A laboratory study, reported in the journal Cancer Research in 2006, provided the first evidence of a direct link between low doses of bisphenol A and natural human estrogen exposures and cancer of the prostate gland. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati and the University of Illinois at Chicago noted that bisphenol A was initially developed for use as a synthetic estrogen before it was later used in products. So, bisphenol A mimics the human body's natural estrogen, which alters the function of the endocrine system and can raise the risk of developing cancer. Bisphenol A leaches from food and beverage containers under normal use, but increasingly with temperature and with aging.

So, again, what is a parent to do?? Believe me, I am as overwhelmed by this information as the next parent. Plastic products were one of those things which I never really thought much about before being diagnosed with cancer. I assumed that if I was buying a baby bottle or a pacifier from a well-known manufacturer of children's products (such as Avent or Gerber) that I could rest assured these products would be safe. Isn't that the whole point of paying extra for an established brand, after all?? But now I feel like I really need to think about plastics so that I can understand the issues and make sense of the information. And I know from talking with other moms in my area that they feel the same way. So here is what I have learned so far:

1) Check the bottom of your plastic containers; many are imprinted with the "chasing arrows" recycling logo. Within this logo, you'll likely find a number, which classifies the plastic according to a recycling code. Codes 1, 2, 4, and 5 are OK, but 3 and 6 are not, and 7 usually is not, either. If the number is not specified, you can call the company to learn the type of plastic used or simply replace unaccounted-for plastics with known safe alternatives. I did this simple test and ended up throwing away a handful of products, including some plastic cups from my alma mater, Pottery Barn Kids!

2) If you must use plastics numbered 3, 6 and 7, know that the following habits increase the likelihood of toxins migrating to the surface of your plastic and posing a risk:

• Using scratched or worn plastic containers
• Heating food in plastic containers
• Placing hot food in plastic containers to cool
• Heating foods covered in plastic wrap
• Washing plastic containers in the dishwasher

3) If you buy plastic-wrapped meats, trim areas exposed to the wrapping (since it's often PVC) and store the remainder in a glass or ceramic container. Better yet, buy meats from the deli counter where they wrap it in paper!

4) For recommendations on sippy cups and other travel mugs for kids, check out the following link: sippy cups.

5) If you are in the market for a new baby or kid's toy, check out the following website which carries only eco-friendly, safe toys: Planet Happy.

So that's what I know for now. If anyone reading this blog sends me more information (which is often the case!), I'll pass it along.