I've spent the past two+ years going green and ridding our home of unhealthy food and toxic household products. I recently discovered yet another convenient toxin that is in the home of probably every human in Western culture: PLASTIC.
Consider the following:
The worst plastic, from both an environmental and health standpoint, is polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, commonly known as vinyl. It is found in a wide variety of products – from food packaging to children’s toys, plumbing and building materials to medical devices – but in every case alternatives to it exist.
PVC food packaging can include plastic trays in boxed cookies or chocolates, candy bar wrappers, and bottles. Cling wraps , especially the kind used commercially to wrap meats, cheeses and other foods, can also be PVC. Unfortunately, this means that many people are exposed to plasticizing chemicals through food wrapping every day...
PVC is also commonly used in teethers and soft squeeze toys for young children, beach balls, bath toys, dolls and other products, such as knapsacks, raincoats, and umbrellas. Health concerns for children who play with soft PVC toys center once again on the toxic softeners known as phthalates. In May, 2001, Greenpeace released a report which examined the level of phthalates and other hazardous chemicals in children’s products and household items and found high levels of phthalates in many cases...
The only way to avoid PVC is to identify it first! On packaging, look for the #3 or the letters "PVC," often found next to the three-arrow "recycling" symbol. For other PVC products, you’ll have to ask the manufacturers what materials were used.
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I think what bothers me the most is that my children are daily being exposed to harmful, even cancer-causing toxins via their sippy cups, the baby's pacifier, and other frequently used plastics (not to mention their toys!).
Here is a website that sells toxic-free bottles and cups, and here is another good source. I definitely plan to do some more research and gradually replace our household plastics with either toxin-free plastics or glass alternatives (now I know why my mom always used more glass dishes than plastic ones to store food in).
Consider the following:
The worst plastic, from both an environmental and health standpoint, is polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, commonly known as vinyl. It is found in a wide variety of products – from food packaging to children’s toys, plumbing and building materials to medical devices – but in every case alternatives to it exist.
PVC food packaging can include plastic trays in boxed cookies or chocolates, candy bar wrappers, and bottles. Cling wraps , especially the kind used commercially to wrap meats, cheeses and other foods, can also be PVC. Unfortunately, this means that many people are exposed to plasticizing chemicals through food wrapping every day...
PVC is also commonly used in teethers and soft squeeze toys for young children, beach balls, bath toys, dolls and other products, such as knapsacks, raincoats, and umbrellas. Health concerns for children who play with soft PVC toys center once again on the toxic softeners known as phthalates. In May, 2001, Greenpeace released a report which examined the level of phthalates and other hazardous chemicals in children’s products and household items and found high levels of phthalates in many cases...
The only way to avoid PVC is to identify it first! On packaging, look for the #3 or the letters "PVC," often found next to the three-arrow "recycling" symbol. For other PVC products, you’ll have to ask the manufacturers what materials were used.
Read entire article
I think what bothers me the most is that my children are daily being exposed to harmful, even cancer-causing toxins via their sippy cups, the baby's pacifier, and other frequently used plastics (not to mention their toys!).
Here is a website that sells toxic-free bottles and cups, and here is another good source. I definitely plan to do some more research and gradually replace our household plastics with either toxin-free plastics or glass alternatives (now I know why my mom always used more glass dishes than plastic ones to store food in).
I used to wonder why health issues like cancer, autism, severe allergies, and skin disorders (eczema, for example) are so prevalent, even among children, when they used to be nearly non-existent. The more I've learned about the toxins we are exposed to in our homes via cleaning products, personal and hygiene items, and even in the foods we consume and the dishes we serve them on, the less I wonder.
Do any of you know of particular brands/stores that carry PVC-free plastics (especially eco-friendly children's items)? Are any other of you moms going green and care to share tips or suggestions?
I'm NOT a save-the-whales guru, but I DO believe in using common sense in taking care of our environment and the health of our families!
Here are two more sources you mamas might like to check out:
sweet friends said
12 Responses to "Plastic: The Convenient Toxin"Using 'green' products is not always the most cost effective, but I think it is important. I have found the brand, Seventh Generation, to be just wonderful. Plus, they have great coupons on their website, www.seventhgeneration.com which makes the products a cost-effective option! They carry them at Target, Walgreens, and our local co-op grocery store. Try the Lavedner Mint dish soap...it almost doubles as a relaxing spa treatment!
This has absolutely nothing to do with plastics but reading your post today made me think of this. I have 3 boys. When they were younger, 2 of them were very "allergic" to milk; however, at that time, we had a dairy barn so I had access to that milk. They were able to eat products made from the barn milk and drink that milk which was straight from the cow. They could eat and drink all they wanted with no bad side effects. It always made me wonder what happens in the process of "cleaning" the milk that now there are so many children and adults with milk issues. I realize that it is important to have healthy foods but have we made it where our bodies are actually being harmed by things that were intended to be healthful to begin with?
No, but I wish I did know of some more sources. I've stopped using plastic wraps, dishes, containers around my food items especially. I've gone back to glass storage containers too. It's just sickening to think of the toxins that are in our lives every day!
Thanks so much for posting those links! I'm pregnant with my first and although I plan to breastfeed, I've been looking around for glass bottles and sippy cups for when the baby is a bit older. These are very helpful sites! Thanks!
Kristy,
How do you get the left column on your blog? I think you have the same blog template as I have (www.mydelightfuldiary.blogspot.com) but mine has only the right column. Is it just a different template with a left column instead? Thanks! (I really like reading your blog, by the way)
Sharon
Hi Kristy - I also suspect the high rate of allergies and auto-immune diseases has something to do with babies being exposed to chemicals from such an early age: disposable diapers, plastic bottles and toys, pacifiers, aggressive vaccinations, etc etc etc. One must be VERY careful. I don't know if it's possible to avoid plastic altogether, but we can try to minimize the contact with it.
Mrs. Anna T: I agree; plastic isn't something we can completely avoid. Educating ourselves to make wiser choices- and using alteratives whenever possible- is definitely a big step toward a healthier lifestyle! Ultimately, our health and the health of our families is in God's hands. ~Kristy
I have recently started looking into this. My husband asked me recently why in the world autism and such are so common, when years ago it wasn't. I pointed out to him our diets and the junk that is in our foods. disgusting. I am working on getting us eating healthier....but first we've cut out red dye #40.
Thanks for the info!
In my pre-homemaker days I obtained a PhD in polymer (plastic) chemistry. It isn't so much the plastic you have to avoid as the softeners (called plasticisers) they put in the plastics to make them soft and moldable. Pthalates are common plasticisers and are the nasty things you want to avoid. I've recently bought my daughter a plastic doll from the German company Gotz that is pthalate free.
Kristy, just found a link you might be interested in concerning chemicals in plastics. It's a news article in Washington Post concerning a ban on chemicals (phthalates) that are present in plastics: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/28/AR2008072802586.html?nav=rss_business
Paula & Joelle: Thanks so much for the info and link! ~Kristy
I recently tossed all plastic from my house. I use 90% glass. I do still have some plastic as the transition can be costly, and its hard when being a single mom.
I think toxins is some of the reasons for so many "diseases" that were not as prevalant before
I've enjoyed visiting your blog
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