Posted on May 1, 2010.
Plastics Get cooking All our kitchens are plastics. Plastic utensils, plastic plates, plastic cups, plastic containers, plastic wrap and more, they have become an indispensable part of our lives. Even our devices have numerous plastic parts.
Each bit of these plastics are made with chemicals and these chemicals are leaching into our food and our drinks. These chemicals are the liquidation of our body where they have accumulated and are involved in many of our modern health problems. These chemicals are also detected in our unborn children.
Two of the worst offenders in that chemicals found in PVC plastics, polyvinyl chloride (). The PVC pipes that carry your water is an example of this type of hard plastic. Phthalates are chemicals that are added to PVC to make soft and flexible. These phthalates are the most common toxic substances found in the body.
Also commonly found lurking in our kitchens is a chemical called bisphenol A, found in hard plastics like bottles, water bottles, storage containers and our extremely popular. bisphenol A or BPA is one of the top 50 chemicals produced today. It is everywhere!
Here are some tips on how to reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals in plastics.
1. Food should never be heated in a plastic container. Even if they are labeled "microwave" safe.
2. Eliminate significantly reduce the amount of plastic wrap you use. Most of these products contain phthalates.
3. Any container that has the "3" in the recycling triangle on the bottom should be eliminated from your kitchen.
4. Skip to glass or stainless steel drink containers instead of plastics.
5. Avoid using paper plates, plastic silverware and plastic cups.
6. Avoid cooking utensils plastic. Instead, use metal. You should not use Teflon coated cookware, and the question is not debatable scratch!
7. Use glass containers for storing food, especially acidic foods.
8. Do not wash in dishwasher plastic or use harsh detergents on plastic. Hand wash.
In 3005, the EU has put a ban on the use of chemicals such as phthalates and other children's toys. One of the commissioners of the Union, was quoted as saying: "Toxic chemicals have no place in children's toys." So why in the world do we still allow these toxic plastics in our kitchen, containers for food and beverage containers?
In the U.S., the city of San Francisco trying to ban bisphenol A and certain phthalates. A lawsuit is delaying the implementation of this ban. Even if the ban is enshrined in law, more than the city-wide bans are necessary. It must be a global problem.
On the other hand, why should we wait for our governments wade through red tape to get these toxic chemicals from our lives? We can take steps to make our own kitchens and plastic housings for free.
It only takes a little effort on our part and a little thought to have a health, safety at home.
