Plastics are very convenient, but they also cause some problems. The environmental impact is one, but there is also the direct impact on human health. For example, we know that the 'softer' plastics leach out carcinogenic and
esterogenic chemicals, and when microwaved, all plastics release large amounts of these toxins into the food being microwaved.
One specific compound getting recent attention is
bisphenol -A (
BPA ).
BPA is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic or items marked with the number 7 on the bottom. Some plastic dishes, cups, reusable water bottles and baby bottles are made out of polycarbonate. Heating foods in polycarbonate plastic increases the amount of
BPA that leaches into food. In animal studies,
BPA has been found to cause the early onset of puberty and stimulate mammary gland development in females. The estrogen-like properties in
BPA are so strong that even when male rodents were exposed to it, they had an increased risk of mammary tumors.
BPA also is used to line the inside of metal food and soda cans and can leach from the can liner into the food, especially acidic foods such as sodas and
tomatoes.
BPA is an endocrine disruptor and in numerous animal studies it’s been linked to cancer, infertility, obesity and early puberty.
The plastics with the most
BPA are: #3 PVC, #6 PS, and #7 other. The other #'s have
BPA, but lesser amounts. Good alternatives to plastics are to drink from glass or stainless steel containers, cook in glass, ceramics, or paper, use wooden cooking utensils an use wooden, ceramic, or bamboo cutting boards.
Dr. James Prego
Naturopathic Doctor
Long Island Naturopathic
560 Main St, Suite 4
Islip NY 11751
631-650-0268
www.doctorprego.com
One specific compound getting recent attention is bisphenol -A ( BPA ). BPA is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic or items marked with the number 7 on the bottom. Some plastic dishes, cups, reusable water bottles and baby bottles are made out of polycarbonate. Heating foods in polycarbonate plastic increases the amount of BPA that leaches into food. In animal studies, BPA has been found to cause the early onset of puberty and stimulate mammary gland development in females. The estrogen-like properties in BPA are so strong that even when male rodents were exposed to it, they had an increased risk of mammary tumors. BPA also is used to line the inside of metal food and soda cans and can leach from the can liner into the food, especially acidic foods such as sodas and tomatoes.
BPA is an endocrine disruptor and in numerous animal studies it’s been linked to cancer, infertility, obesity and early puberty.
The plastics with the most BPA are: #3 PVC, #6 PS, and #7 other. The other #'s have BPA, but lesser amounts. Good alternatives to plastics are to drink from glass or stainless steel containers, cook in glass, ceramics, or paper, use wooden cooking utensils an use wooden, ceramic, or bamboo cutting boards.