The Dangers of Using Plastic Containers and What to Do About It By Janet Martin At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Many raved about the many uses of plastic containers when it was introduced a few decades ago. Suddenly, almost all food products and beverages were sold in plastic bottles or in containers that were coated with plastic resins. In an effort to save precious time, people also started to heat and eat their food in plastic containers, not bothering to transfer noodles, water, or other foods in glass plates or glass bottles before pouring in hot water or heating in microwave ovens.

In recent years, however, scientists found that certain components of hard plastic containers, particularly bisphenol-A (or BPA), can have adverse effects on people's health. The most susceptible to these negative effects are infants, children and the elderly. According to many studies, BPA can wreck havoc on your hormones which can eventually lead to structural brain damage, higher risk of obesity, reproductive problems, increased aggression and hyperactivity, and even impaired functions of the immune system.

Although the government is doing its best in creating legislation that will minimize and eventually eradicate the use of BPA in food packaging, it is almost impossible to totally eliminate your exposure to this substance. Many water pipes, dental sealants, bottle tops, sports bottles, water containers, and even some plastic baby bottles list BPA as one of the major ingredients. In fact, according to one research, over 95% of people who participated in the research were found to have dangerously high BPA levels in their bodies.

Although BPA is pervasive and almost impossible to eliminate in the foreseeable future, what you can do to protect yourself and your family is to minimize your BPA exposure. Below are some tips that can help you lower your contact with BPA:

Stick With Glass Bottles And Dishes

It would be best for you and your child to use glass bottles and dishes as much as possible. Studies have shown that BPA does not reside forever in plastic containers but leak into your food. This is especially true if you cook, microwave or put hot liquids or foods in BPA-laden containers. So if you have to store your food in the refrigerator or cook your instant noodles in the microwave, be sure to use glass containers. It would also be best for you to use glass baby bottles instead of plastic ones to feed your baby.

Don't Let Your Children Play With Plastic Toys

Aside from food containers, some plastic toys also make use of BPA. Since children, especially those aged five and below, love to taste their toys and put them inside their mouths, it would be advisable to prevent your children from using or playing plastic toys. Fabric toys are much better for your babies.

Minimize Buying Canned Drinks And Foods

The cans that are used to store processed foods and drinks sold in supermarket are usually lined with materials using BPA. Thus, if you want to minimize your family's exposure to BPA, better not buy foods and beverages that are packed in cans.

Read Labels Of Recycled Bottles

Although it is still best to stick to glass bottles, it is almost impossible to resist the urge of buying water contained in plastic bottles every once in a while. If you absolutely have to, be sure to look at the label of your bottled water. Stay clear of those water bottles that make use of recycled bottles that have No 7 recycling label because they may contain BPA.

If you fear that you are exposed to this chemical often, you can opt to start a detoxification program, which can help eliminate toxins and harmful chemicals in your system. One product that will make detoxification easy for you is Colpurin.

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