Styrofoam Containers
Styrene—the
building block for polystyrene—is described by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency as a suspected carcinogen and a suspected toxin to
the gastrointestinal, kidney, and respiratory systems.
The
foamed version of polystyrene is what we typically use to pack home
restaurant leftovers. Polystyrene is also used for disposable cups,
especially those made for hot drinks such as cocoa and coffee.
Considering what we’ve just learned regarding heat and plastic, it
won’t come as a surprise to note that some studies have shown that
chemicals leach from polystyrene when it’s exposed to heat or oily
substances.
Yet
most people use the “to go” container when they microwave their
leftovers the next day and carry steaming hot coffee, tea, and cocoa in
Styrofoam cups.
That’s a scary thought.
The
leaching of styrene may not even require heat, though. One study
conducted by Louisiana State University showed that eggs—still in the
shells—stored in Styrofoam containers for two weeks exhibited up to seven times more ethylbenzene and styrene than eggs fresh from the farm. Those toxins are going right through the shells!
Despite
this, many egg cartons are made with Styrofoam. (After reading the
studies, I’ve opted to buy my eggs packaged in cardboard.)
To
reduce our risk, my wife and I make it a habit to immediately transfer
into a glass container any food we bring home from a restaurant. This
way that fatty salmon or oily pasta isn’t reacting with any plastic,
and neither of us will be tempted to throw the styrofoam container into
the microwave.
Baby Bottles and Water Bottles
As
was mentioned at the beginning of this section, BPA is used in the
manufacture of hard polycarbonate plastics, including baby bottles and
reusable water bottles. You’ll also find BPA in resins that line almost
all food cans—from chicken noodle soup to green beans.
BPA
is a potent endocrine disruptor that is known to mimic estrogen, and it
has been shown to increase insulin resistance, chronic inflammation,
and heart disease.
Again,
avoidance is your best bet. Although most baby bottle manufacturers in
the United States have phased out BPA, it’s still found in hard plastic
(polycarbonate) water bottles. If you’re unsure whether your water
bottle is polycarbonate, look at the number in the middle of the
recycling triangle stamped on the bottom. If it’s a 7, it’s likely BPA
polycarbonate.
Getting rid of a
polycarbonate water bottle is easy enough, and you can still drink
plenty of liquids each day—as you should. Just make a stainless steel
bottle your new best friend. You’ll be able to take it everywhere for
years before needing to replace it. If you’re out shopping for a water
bottle, don’t opt for anything made from aluminum—these bottles are
typically lined with BPA and will pose the same risks as polycarbonate
bottles.
You should also avoid canned foods
to reduce your risk from BPA. It may be impossible to rid your pantry
of all canned foods, but at the very least try to avoid those for which
you have fresh or frozen alternatives. Besides avoiding toxins, you’ll
also be getting more vitamins and minerals from unprocessed produce.
Manufacturers
in Japan have already found a way to eliminate BPA from their canned
foods, and I hope the United States can follow suit. As they have with
BPA baby bottles, concerned consumers must motivate major food companies to act.
