Healthy Homemaking Series: Plastics

Baby Step 18 - Dangerous Plastics

Challenge: Examine cupboards for items made of dangerous plastics and begin a plan to replace them.

Why: Some plastics contain chemicals that leech into our foods when in contact (pthalates, BPA, dioxins).  Also, the process of making these plastics uses, creates, and disposes of harmful chemicals as well putting them into our environment.  The effects of these specific chemicals on our bodies have been clinically shown to be detrimental.

How: Here is a list of the most dangerous plastics which should be the biggest priority to avoid.

#3 PVC (polyvinyl chloride) - often found in cling wraps - interferes with hormonal development, releases dioxin (carcinogen)

#6 PS (polystyrene) - commonly known as styrofoam and used in take out containers and disposable dishes - leaches styrene into food (possible carcinogen), may disrupt hormones or affect reproduction

#7 PC (polycarbonate) - found in baby bottles, 5-gallon water bottles, water cooler bottles, and epoxy linings of tin food cans - composed of Bisphenol A which is hormone disrupting and linked to cancer and obesity

Look at the containers to see what plastic it is made of.  Here are some examples of what to look for:

When I dug through our cupboards, I was very happy to find that our Rubbermaid food storage containers were #5 and thus not one of the most dangerous.  We will continue to use them, though we do not microwave food in them (even though they are "microwave safe").

Since I would ultimately like to use all glass one day, I have still been saving applesauce jars from work and bringing them home to use for food storage.  I have also noticed that some food storage container brands have begun selling glass versions of their containers.  I think this is fantastic and may be an option for us in the future, but I am not going to run out and purchase many of those when I have options at home still that are in good condition, and that is okay.


What do you use for food storage?