Health Update: Plastic Health Damage is Real, and Bad!
Hello again friends:
New and ongoing research reveals that it is smart to reduce your exposure to plastics in every way you can. Here is what was reported just recently:
“Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) via daily use of plastics is a major contributor to the overall disease burden in the United States…The diseases due to plastics run the entire life course from preterm birth to obesity, heart disease, and cancers," commented lead author Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, Jim G. Hendrick, MD Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, in a release.
"Our study drives home the need to address chemicals used in plastic materials" through global treaties and other policy initiatives, he said, so as to "reduce these costs" in line with reductions in exposure to the chemicals.
Plastics may contain any one of a number of EDCs, such as polybrominated diphenylethers in flame retardant additives, phthalates in food packaging, bisphenols in can linings, and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in nonstick cooking utensils.
These chemicals have been shown to leach and disturb the body's hormone systems, increasing the risk for cancer, diabetes, reproductive disorders, neurological impairments in developing fetuses and children, and even death.”
Bottom Line:
It is clear that we need to reduce our exposure to these common chemicals as much as we can. Here are a few ideas that can help considerably:
· Avoid all plastic wrapped or bottled foods and drinks, including baby and infant drinks.
· Do not heat anything in a plastic container.
· Avoid single use plastic items…bring your own re-usable cloth bags to the grocery stores.
· Processed and carry-out food containers are usually coated with plastics and leach into the food.
· Do not use non-stick pans with PFAS coatings…instead opt for ceramic cookware.
· Do not store food in plastic containers, instead go for glass and silicone.
· Choose wood, stainless steel, and silicone for kitchen utensils and avoid plastic cutting boards.
· Choose personal health and skin care products free of plastics…
· Canned foods often have chemicals lining the inside…look for cans that state they are BPA free.
· Eat mostly fresh, whole, unprocessed, unpackaged foods…
· To find out more, go to www. EWG.org and search for their Consumer Guides. In that section they have multiple guides for skin care, plastics, pesticides in foods, endocrine and hormone disruptors, green cleaning supplies, fire retardants, PFAS forever chemicals, cosmetics, safe drinking water and many more. Consider donating to their efforts if you can.
