**** Endocrine Distrupters in Plastic and Styrofoam ****


      The other day, I found some article that said
    "There's a reason why fewer vendors are seving coffee in
    Styrofoam these days."
    
    I'll pick up some of the things they talked about in the article.

    * According to the Environmental Protection Agency, some of the 
      plasticizers (softening compounds) found in plastics can 
      migrate into foods and beverages and these chemicals can pose
      health and developmental problems.

    * These endocrine disrupters (hormone disrupters) have been linked 
      to lowered sperm counts, birth defects and a higher risk of 
      testicular cancer. - They did not include Endometreosis or some
      other diseases but that does not mean those hormone disrupters 
      do not cause them.

    * "The goverment will never say plasticizers are unsafe.."

    * A recent Consumer Reports test shows that water bottles made 
      from polycarbonate leaches plasticizers into their contents.

    * "Learn your recycling codes, which are found on the packaging 
      of plastic storage products and most plastic food containers. 
      Know which plastics are safer ( please see the list below ).
      If a product you buy is packaged in an unsafe plastic, transfer
      it to another container right away.

    * Cling wraps which do not include these codes? -
      In some wraps, a few of the worst offenders like DEHA or PVC
      are found. Use ceramic (Corningware etc) or reinforced-glass 
      containers with glass lids or plastic lids if they don't come
      contact with food. Or use aluminum foil or wax paper.

    * One firm rule: Do not microwave with plastic cookware.
                  (Do not cover the container with cling wrap either,
                   cover with a paper towel instead)

    * If you must have a heat-and-serve microwave meal, remove the food
      from its packaging and heat it in ceramic or glass cookware.

    * Old, unstable plastics (discolored or have tears or knife marks)
      are more likely to leak plasticizers into food.

    * Styrene, a carcinogen and suspected hormon disrupter which is
      in Styrofoam is more likely than other plastics to leach into
      oily foods and alcohol.

    * Ziploc (brand) bags are made of LDPE. Check the recycle codes for
      other brands.


    
             
            ** The List **

    
    Code: PVC
    Type of plastic: Polyvinyl chloride
    Also known as: Vinyl
    Contains: Phthalates, which are suspected endocrine disrupters

    Code: PET
    Type of plastic: Polyethylene terephthalate
    Contains: No known carcinogens
 
    Code: PS
    Type of plastic: Polystyrene
    Also knnown as: Styrofoam
    Contains: Styrene, a carcinogen, and p-nonylphenol; both chemicals
    are suspected hormone disrupters

    Code: HDPE
    Type of plastic: High-densty polyethylene
    Contains: No known dangerous chemicals

    Code: LDPE
    Type of plastic: Low-density polyethylene
    Contains: No known dangers

    Code: PC
    Type of plastic: Polycarbonate
    Contains: Bisphenol-A, an endocrine disrupter

    Code: PP
    Type of plastic: Polypropylene
    Contans: No known dangers


    <End of the article>

  
      Well, I am actually a quite lazy person and also I don't
    like to be too nervous about anything.
     But I quit using microwave at all and recently I decided to
    store food and left-overs in reinforced-glass containers. (For
    some reason, I like using those glass containers - feels right..) 
     Now we think twice before we order take-out food, and that is good 
    anyway since in most cases you eat healthier when you cook.
     I still use Ziploc bags sometimes for drier food but that dosen't
    really feel good specially when I think that these bags are going 
    to be burnt and produce more chemicals into the air and so on.
    I think I may gradually reduce the use of them, too.
     And now I try to stay away from Styrofoam as much as possible.
    No more cup-o-noodles, either. ( I told you I'm lazy! Those junky
    noodles were my weakness - I know, MSG and all those preservatives
    and scary oils etc but I still have some that are in bags 
    occasionally and they do worsen my IBS. I do better when I have
    health food type no MSG, no preservative, non-fried instant 
    noodles. )
     Oh and I changed my cutting board to a wooden one and I love it.
    I have to keep it dry as soon as i'm done washing it and to avoid
    stain and smell, I rinse it with water BEFORE I use it. And I 
    think there are some other tips but for now those are the only 
    things I do and I never ever use chlorine bleach now.
    Not for disinfection, not for laundry, not for anything!
    Personally I could do without any bleach, but my husband wants to 
    use it, so I buy natural non-chlorine bleach (hydrogen peroxide
    type) and it works just fine. 
     Another natural detergent power booster we use is Arm & Hammer
    super washing soda. 
    
     Well I guess I'm starting to write about more than plastic.
    If you were wondering why not chlorine, check out
    "Chlorine Bleaching, Dioxin and Women's Health"
    at
    http://www.web.net/terrafemme/chlor.htm

    

    (4-2-01)






         * Pep's home page is at
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         thanks.