http://www.care2.com/greenliving/are-plastics-safe.html
Are Plastics Safe?
By Karen Ansel, R.D., EatingWell
Can plastic containers transfer harmful compounds to foods and drinks? There are potential dangers inherent in polycarbonate plastics–often used in reusable water bottles, clear plastic food-storage containers and some baby bottles. Polycarbonates contain bisphenol-A (BPA), an estrogen-like chemical also used in the linings of some food and drink cans. Studies link BPA to the development of precancerous lesions and abnormal development of reproductive systems in animals. While BPA can leach into food and drinks, whether it actually affects human health currently is not known. However, consumer concern peaked in April after the National Toxicology Program (part of the National Institutes of Health) issued a draft report noting that, given the current science, the possibility couldn’t be ruled out.
What is known is that we’re all exposed to plenty of the chemical. In a 2005 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, 95 percent of people screened tested positive for BPA.
A study published earlier this year in Toxicology Letters suggests that hot liquids and foods exacerbate leaching in BPA-containing plastics. When researchers poured boiling water into polycarbonate drinking bottles, it caused up to 55 times more BPA to seep out than room-temperature water had.
Whether washing containers in hot water causes them to break down and release BPA the next time they’re used isn’t clear: only a handful of studies have been conducted, and results are conflicting. While heating these plastics in the microwave hasn’t been studied, it’s not recommended. “We assume there is increased leaching with any kind of heating,” says Anila Jacob, M.D., a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group.
Bottom line: Manufacturers currently aren’t required to label BPA so there’s no way of knowing if it’s present in the plastics or cans you use. For now, the best way to reduce your exposure is to use stainless steel, glass or plastics labeled “BPA-free.” If you’re not sure about a product, recommends Jacob, call the manufacturer.
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16 comments
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Kabin
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Sara -- I know which sort of kettles you mean. When my kids went off to college, I bought each of them one for their dorm rooms, but at that point, did not know. There are steel kettles that work the same way as the plastic ones: plug in. Those free standing kettles are great for office workers. While the steel kettles cost more, investing in one might be worth while.
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Thanks Kirsten, I know about using a saucepan and it's a good alternative. It's just that in the Uk everyone uses kettles to boil water for tea and coffee and these days they're mostly made from plastic. I was wondering whether the plastic used was one of the safer ones. I've got one of those whistling kettles made from stainless steel. I think it's fun and always a talking point when people call in for tea. It's actually pink which makes it even more unusual. Lol. All the best, Sara
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Sara S.: If you mean tea kettles that whistle when the tea/water is boiling and done, my family heats our water for tea and makes hot cocoa in a small saucepan that has pouring lips/edges on its two opposite sides. It works great, is stainless steel, and is 0 plastic. We just thought of it when our old tea pot rusted out and we were having the same problem as you. I was really craving tea and just used our tiny sauce pot. Haha, my mother thinks it look old fashioned and it's really simple. It's the perfect size to heat up a can of soup for one person, or tea or hot cocoa for 3 people (3 cups) and pours nicely.
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Prema -- You can use canning jars to freeze or refrigerate food. They are available in several sizes, packaged by dozens, at grocery (probably not chain grocers) or hardware stores.
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I Use a lot of plastic for freezing homemade marinara, meat etc...I am completely phasing out plastic from our lives but cannot find an alternative material for freezing. Any help?
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Switch to glass if you want a safe water bottle. It does not have any of the problems of plastic or aluminum, it tastes great and you know exactly what you are getting. If you want to check out a great alternative, check out www.livinglavidaverde.net where a great, nice looking glass bottle is sold
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Can anyone tell me if plastic kettles also leach toxins into the boiling water? Most kettles these days are plastic, so it's difficult to avoid.
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The FDA CAN require companies to label products that may contain hazardous substances. The key is getting the FDA to protect consumers instead of manufacturers, which, as a rule, they did not do under Bush.
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Some plastics are not safe to re-use. Soda and water bottles generally are not.
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