IOTUT -- What's that leaching from your container?

Welcome back to another edition of Friday's Instead of This, Use This! Today, we're talking about plastic. Or rather, talking about ditching plastic.

Here's the thing: we all know by now that BPA (bisphenol A) is not good for us. It's bad, bad, bad. So, as consumers started clamoring about it, companies complied and started coming out with BPA-free products. "Wonderful!" we shouted. But our celebration was short-lived. Some experts are warning us that the alternatives to BPA just might not be much better. And ridding our bottles and plastic containers of it helps only a little bit anyway. Why? Well, according to Linda B. White, MD, it's because "BPA is in printer ink, newspapers, and carbonless receipts; most recycled paper contains it, including paper towels and paper used to contain food." Ouch! Recycled paper? Really?

But back to the BPA-free plastics that are causing concern. The thing is, we just don't know the long term effects that can occur when the chemicals in plastics (BPA or not) leach into our food and drink. Maybe they're safe ... but maybe not. Remember when no one understood the danger of cigarettes? Smokers poo-pooed the idea they were bad for you as the findings emerged. More research just had the opponents more defensive than ever. 

I see the same thing happening now, as we're being warned of the dangers of plastic. We cover our ears and hum loudly so we don't have to hear it. What we don't know won't hurt us, right?

The problem is, our kids are the ones who are ultimately going to pay the price for our ignorance and the irresponsibility of the government's safety regulators.

But maybe plastic really isn't that bad. Maybe. Perhaps there's nothing at all to worry about. But what if there is? Do you really want to take that chance.

I challenge you today, to ditch the plastic containers you use to store your food. Toss them in the recycling bin and be done with them. Replacing your plastic with glass and stainless steel is one thing you can do right now to protect your family from the toxic assaults all around us.

 Google your options. From baby bottles to sippy cups to travel mugs, there are safe alternatives out there to replace your plastics. Is there a cost involved? Naturally. But what is the greater cost when you consider the health of your children?

As I've been making the switch myself, I realized something. Actually, someone on the GG FB page pointed it out to me. What about my automatic drip coffee maker? Oh no. It never dawned on me that every single day I was heating up water for coffee in a plastic appliance. Yikes!

So even there, I'm making a switch and buying a percolator. It's metal. It's safe. And it's the best option I can think of at this point. 

Instead of this: 

 
Use this:

 

Instead of plastic, use glass and stainless steel. It's that simple. We can't get away from them entirely, but if we really put forth an effort, we can minimize our exposure to the chemicals in plastic containers and maybe, just maybe, avoid the damage they can do.

Keeping it earth- and people-friendly on a Friday,

BPA lurking in your cupboard

Are you concerned about BPA leaching out of plastic food packaging? Yeah, me, too. That's why I'm trying to switch over to food storage containers made of glass or stainless steel. Admittedly, I still have some plastic containers in my fridge right now, however. Of course, I never, and I mean never, heat anything up in the microwave in plastic. Even on the rare occasion I eat a frozen meal, I pop it out of the plastic it's in and put it in a microwave-safe glass bowl. It just makes sense to me.

Actually, I don't use my microwave often anymore. It scares me a bit. I generally reheat things on the stove in my GreenPans.

But taking all these precautions doesn't do much good if the food I'm eating is coming out of a can lined with bisphenol-A, right? But, how do you know if a can contains BPA, and why would it anyway?? After all, it's metal. Yeah, that's what I thought. Unfortunately, I was wrong, and the fact is that most canned food is poisoned by BPA. The worst leaching occurs in canned food that is salty, fatty or acidic (like tomato sauces, soups, etc.) Crap.

The more I learn, the angrier I become. And the more I long for summer and local farmer's markets. Even if I go to the store and avoid the canned goods section, I'm still picking up meats and produce packaged in styrofoam and BPA-laced plastic wrap. Crap. Crap. CRAP!!!!! What are these food manufacturers trying to do to us?

And don't even get me started about BPA in infant formula!!

Why am I so worked up about BPA? Well, because I don't want breast cancer, for one, and bisphenol-A is strongly linked to it. Cancer and reproductive issues, ADHD, immune system damage, and ... get this ... OBESITY!! So, perhaps it's not how much you're eating that's making you fat. It might just be the packing it came from!! And that might explain part of the reason obesity is not such an issue in countries where the residents buy fresh food at the markets.

According to Breast Cancer Fund's website, here are the top 10 canned foods to avoid (unless they are in cans specifically marked BPA-free):

• Coconut milk (I hate coconut ... so far I'm safe)
• Soup (well, there goes that!)
• Meat (I generally don't buy canned meat -- SPAM is in my email, not in my cupboard)
• Vegetables (but I really like canned mushrooms)
• Meals (Uh oh, Spaghettios!)
• Juice (is there anything safe about juice these days??)
• Fish (canned fish isn't a problem in our home, either)
• Beans (I stick to fresh or frozen here)
• Meal-replacement drinks (this is almost humorous -- let's skip the meal to lose weight, but pack on some extra BPA pounds!)
• Fruit (I love, love, love canned fruit)

Is there anything left?? This list was compiled after testing 300 products.

Feeling rather helpless, I did take the time to contact Del Monte, General Mills and Campbell Soup and ask them to let me know what they are doing to address this serious issue. After all, I wrote, I know you care about what goes into the bodies of your kids. I also told them I have a blog that focuses on healthier living and am looking forward to sharing with my readers what steps the companies are taking to get BPA out of their cans. It will be interesting to see if I get a response.

If you would like to contact them, there is a form letter you can send from the Breast Cancer Fund website. I encourage you to take the time to send an email to all three companies.

You can also check out this list of foods sold in BPA-free cans. Thank you, The Soft Landing, for making this list available! This is a worthy-of-checking-out website. Loads and loads of information to help you raise healthier kids!!

Not wanting to scare you, but sharing what I know,

Hana

The dangers of plastic -- it's about more than just BPA

My husband works in for a plastic company. Not for plastic containers or anything, but plastic nonetheless. I stopped to visit him at work the other day and was struck by that chemically-plastic smell as I entered the building. I left with a headache.

BPA has gotten a lot of negative publicity in recent years, as well it should. But there's more to wary of than just bisphenol A. For instance, #3 plastic is referred to as "the toxic plastic." And yet foods are sometimes packaged in it. Yuck. How did it garner its nickname? Well, the presence of DEHA just might be the cause. Exposure to this toxic chemical, which is commonly used in plastic wrap, has been linked to cancer (of course), liver damage, testicular damage, and lowered body weight (not in a good way) and bone mass. Says who? Says the EPA.

A Nuk by any other name....

When my babies were small, we called pacifiers ‘nuks;’ I guess in the same vein as calling a tissue a ‘Kleenex’ or a soda a ‘Coke.’ That brand name carried the product, despite which brand you chose. I had one daughter who was hooked on her ‘nuk’ and another who preferred her thumb (and for years bore the callus to prove it).

Back then, no thought was given to the safety of the materials used to manufacture the pacifiers. Oh have things have changed! To think there actually may be toxic chemicals in our baby’s pacifiers is mind-boggling, but true. As a matter of fact, there are quite a few of them out there you should avoid. Some of these are no longer being sold, but if you have an old one lying around somewhere, it’s time to toss it. Here’s a partial list of pacifiers that can present a health hazard to your little one:

• Gerber® Natural Flex®, Round Soft Center®, NUK® Button, and NUK® Fashion Silicone. (Gerber is now producing only BPA-free pacifiers, so this list only applies to Gerber products manufactured prior to January 2009).

• Razbaby® pacifiers (manufactured prior to 2009).

• MAM -- supposedly they were to change over to BPA-free pacifiers in April of this year. I’m not sure when the change took place, but all MAM products are now BPA-free.

• Non-brand name, Dollar Store type pacifiers. If they're Made in China and don't identify themselves as being BPA-free, throw them away!!

Generally speaking, you want to avoid synthetic latex ‘binkies.’ After all, do you really want your baby sucking on nitrosamines? The fact is, this is a carcinogen. Stay away.

The pacifiers that pass the BPA-free test are as follows:

• Natursutten Pacifiers – okay, these win my vote because they are the only all natural organic binkies on the market! Not only are they BPA-free, but they also boast:

     o No artificial colors

     o No parabens

     o No PVC

     o No phthalates

     o No chemical softeners

These pure natural rubber pacifiers are molded in one piece, making them more hygienic than others as there are no joints or cracks to house bacteria. http://www.natursutten.dk/

• Born Free™ – this health-conscious company offers BPA-free bottles, sippy cups and orthodontic pacifiers. Always a good choice. http://www.newbornfree.com/

• Raz-Berry® Pacifier – what sets this 100% medical grade silicone pacifier apart is the unusual shape – it looks like a raspberry – bumpy surface and all! Particularly helpful during those difficult teething times. http://www.razbaby.com/  

• Razbaby Keep-it-Clean® Pacifier – I love this! The innovative design ensures that a protective cover will close when the pacifier is dropped! Ingenious! Also made by Razbaby.

• NurturePure™ Pure™ Orthodontic Silicone Pacifier & Teether – made from natural food grade silicone, these pacifiers are free of any plastic parts. According to their website, these are the products Hollywood parents are sold on....if you care.  http://www.nurturepure.com/

• Gerber® Silicone Nuk® – silicone means no polycarbonate plastics. Stay away from the non-silicone, older ones, however. http://www.gerber.com/

• First Years Soothie Silicone Pacifier -- another latex-free binky made of hospital grade silicone. The one-piece design is durable and hygienic. http://www.thefirstyears.com/  As an added bonus, these pacifiers can attach to a Wubbanub, an adorable stuffed animal that adds a whole new dimension to the benefits of pacifiers. http://www.wubbanub.com/

• Playtex® Baby Binky® Most Like Mother One-Piece Silicone Pacifier – another one-piece, medical grade silicone pacifier. It’s vanilla scent sets this one apart. http://www.playtexbaby.com/

• Avent – all of their pacifiers are now free of BPA. http://www.avent.com/

• Nuby™ -- all of their products are now free of bisphenol A, but this is a recent change, so if you’re holding on to older Nuby pacifiers, it might be time to replace them with their newer ones. http://www.nuby.com/

I am certain I am missing some, if not many, of the BPA-free binky choices out there. If you would like to add to my list, please post a comment. With such a wide choice of BPA-free options, there’s no excuse to let your child continue to suck on something toxic.

And, of course, I am neither advocating nor discouraging the use of pacifiers here. There are strong arguments on both sides. As always, I simply ask that you, as a parent, use your common sense. Research your options and choose what’s right for you and your child.

Keeping it healthy,

Hana

Drawing by Jessica Taylor

Debunking myths...can we always trust the rebuttals?

A bronze statue at Millersville University in Pennsylvania was unveiled the last weekend of May 2009. Designed and sculpted by my sister, Christina Haatainen-Jones, it was commissioned by Dr. Dennis Denenberg, author of ­50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet. Dr. Denenberg’s sister struggled with various forms of cancer throughout her adult life. The statue sits gracefully in the Diana Lin Durand Spirit Garden, created in her memory by her brother. With a desire to remind students at Millersville that life is wonderful and that we all need to strive to maintain it, Dr. Denenberg’s wish is for students to stop and think about life. Additionally, his goal is to raise awareness of breast cancer to college-aged women.

Ironically, there was a woman mingling among the crowd the day of the unveiling who was unaware that the insidious seed of cancer was sprouting within one of her own breasts. Fortunately, due to yearly mammograms, the cancer was caught in its early stages and the prognosis is good. If she were not able to have annual testing, which may soon be the case depending on what happens with the health care reform, who knows what kind of outcome she’d be looking at. But, of course, that’s a discussion that belongs on someone else’s blog.

Other than skin cancers (don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your little ones’ delicate skin), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. This year alone, there will be an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in the U.S. That’s a startling statistic.

Equally startling is the evidence that BPA has been linked to breast cancer. In fact, in over 200 studies researchers have found that even in low doses, exposure to the synthetic hormone bisphenol A increases the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, obesity, early-onset puberty, and a variety of developmental delays.

So why are some people still ignoring the risks? Apparently an organization called the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) released a report stating that there is no health hazard associated with BPA…and some people have actually bought into their spin on things.

But if you look closer at the ACSH, you’ll see why I, personally, don’t trust their opinion. The ACSH is an organization funded by corporations…corporations with a stake in this issue. Remember, corporations are largely about the bottom line. If a baby product manufacturer suddenly has to change its materials and equipment, the bottom line is affected. Safety versus the bottom line. Hmmm. I wonder what many companies choose when faced with this dilemma? If they can garner up support to nullify the claims of the danger of a product, wouldn’t it be to their advantage to fund a research organization to do just that?

Now I’m not saying that is what is done. You can draw your own conclusions. I’m just suspect of the ACSH because I’ve looked at their list of corporate sponsors and some well-known names are on there; well-known names of companies whose bottom line would certainly be affected by a ban on BPA. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

Before you hand your baby his or her next bottle, or your toddler a sippy cup, think about Diana Lin Durand and the Spirit Garden at Millersville University. Find a BPA-free alternative (like a glass bottle or a metal sippy cup, just to be safe). And then, when you get a free minute or two, pick up the phone and schedule a mammogram. After all, your kids need you.

Keeping it green and healthy,

Hana

P.S. A friend recommended two stainless steel sippy cups you may want to try: the FOOGO® by THERMOS® and SAFE SIPPY™ drink cups. Wares for parents who care. Thanks Dani!

What's in your Baby's Bottle?

Too bad there aren’t flashing red warning lights whenever you give your baby something that is actually harmful. But there aren’t. Not only that, seldom are there even written warnings. Unless you’re researching everything yourself, chances are good you’re going to do something that won’t be in your baby’s best interest.

Like giving your baby a bottle. Whether it’s formula or pumped breast milk, depending on the bottle you choose, it could be quite dangerous.

The dangers of BPA have been known for years. So why is it that it’s only recently you see manufacturers advertising NO BPA on their products? You know the answer. It all comes down to money. Fortunately, the choices of BPA-free products are numerous for today’s parents. Stores like Whole Foods, and from what I understand, Babies R Us, no longer carry products that contain BPA.

So, what’s the big deal? Why am I even addressing the issue? Simply because many of you may be using bottles you bought when you had your first child a few years ago or so. Or you’re using hand-me-down bottles from your cousin, Lucy, who loads you up with all sorts of baby paraphernalia now that she’s had her tubes tied.

At this point, you probably just want to click out of this site and move on to more pleasant topics. Isn’t there enough bad news in the world today without my having to introduce baby bottle blues as well? Unfortunately, ignorance does not make your child immune to the potential side effects brought on by exposure to BPA.

Up until recently, most plastic baby bottles were made from a hard polycarbonate plastic. These bottles contain Bisphenol A, which can leach into your baby’s milk and affect his delicate system. The danger of leaching increases when the bottle is heated. The worst leaching occurs when bottles are exposed to heat above 80°.

But it’s not just baby bottles that are a concern. Basically any product made of a hard plastic that is clear, not cloudy, is most likely made from polycarbonate. Look for the number 7 in the recycling triangle. Not all #7 plastics contain BPA, nor do all hard plastic bottles, but unless the manufacturer specifies that it is BPA-free, it’s safest to steer clear. If the #7 plastic is soft and pliable, chances are good that it is BPA-free. Sippy cups, can also be a source of Bisphenol A.

Side note for adults: If you’ve been avoiding bottled water and carry your own refillable plastic water bottle around, unless you know for certain it is free of BPA, toss it out and purchase a new one. I picked up a nice one at Target that boasts a BPA-free tag and it’s all I use.

What are dangers of exposure to BPA? Here are just some of the supposed side effects. Whether or not they’re valid remains to be seen. But animal testing has revealed the following disturbing results:

• Early onset puberty. This is because BPA is a hormone disrupter and appears to mimic the effects of estrogen. Naturally, this affects the neurological, reproductive and immune systems.
• Breast and prostate cancer
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Down Syndrome
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Hyperactivity
• Reproductive problems, including low sperm counts
• Developmental problems

Is the danger of BPA exposure all hype? Maybe. But are you willing to take that risk. Just because it’s still legal to produce it doesn’t mean it’s safe.

To ensure that your baby’s health is not compromised by the bottles you give him, choose glass bottles. There are bottle covers available to prevent breakage (Silikids or The Soft Landing) and you’ll find no dangerous chemicals lurking inside a glass bottle. Plus, glass can be heated and washed in the dishwasher without a problem. Plastic bottles should never be placed in a dishwasher, nor should they ever be heated in a microwave! Heat degrades plastic, which will cause the most seepage of chemicals.

Once you’ve rid your cupboards of the dangerous hard plastic baby bottles, there’s one more thing to be aware of. Many manufacturers of canned formula use BPA-lined cans! Ready-to-feed formula contains the highest threat. You will find PBM, Enfamil, Similac and Nestle all use cans lined with BPA. If you are giving your baby formula, skip the liquid and purchase powdered formula in cardboard packaging. If you must buy cans, stick to the powdered kind.

If you’ve stuck it out and read to the end, take heart. You, as a parent or caretaker, are in control. That’s what your little one’s counting on!

Keeping it healthy and green,

Hana

ALERT *** ALERT *** ALERT

I just discovered today that Health Canada has released a report stating that Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Bottle, an award-winning BPA-free baby bottle, contained the highest traces of BPA when tested for leaching into water. Other products boasting a BPA-free label also showed traces of the chemical when tested. Glass bottles, folks. We have to go back to basics and that means glass baby bottles in this case!