May 11-18, 2008

Entering the Plastic Universe

What's Good, What's Not: Here's the Skinny

MONDAY, May 12: Today's Small Step: Learn the facts about plastics. Plastics are much in the news these days. And the news isn't good.

Here are the facts:

(1) Modern-day plasticizers were originally developed for chemical warfare.

(2) Plastic is a combination of synthetic chemicals made in laboratories, not found in nature.

(3) Plastic pollutes throughout its lifecycle--manufacture, use, and disposal. Though some eventually biodegrade, it takes 1,000 years or more.

(4) Scientists are learning that plastics can cause harm to human health, especially to unborn children and infants. Scientific studies show that certain plasticizers are estrogenic, meaning they disrupt the bodies' hormonal system, and could possibly be a factor in breast and prostate cancer.

(5) Since World War II, plastic has become a multi-billion dollar industry with tremendous economic clout. Look around you. We live in a sea of plastic. We feed our babies from plastic bottles, wrap our trash in plastic bags, and bring groceries home in plastic sacks.

What is this doing to our planet? What is this doing to our health? The health of our children? And their children?

This week “The Green Zone” teleports us into the plastic universe. Stay tuned. And be prepared.

TUESDAY, May 13: Today’s Small Step: Understand the health concerns surrounding plastic.

Plastics, whether hard or soft, are made up of a combination of synthetic chemicals called plasticizers. Scientists believe some of these chemicals are endocrine disrupters which upset the hormonal balance in humans. The suspect chemicals are estrogenic, meaning they mimic the female sex hormone, and consequently may play a role in breast and prostate cancer.

That’s not all. Unborn children, infants, and toddlers are at high risk for early onset of puberty in girls and feminization of boys. And these children are at high risk for future reproductive cancers. Whether you’re affected or not depends on genetic history, your immune system, your exposure, and the age exposure occurred. Chronic use is cause for concern. If you microwave food in plastic containers, eat a lot of canned soup, take out coffee in a Styrofoam cup, or do daily down dogs on a plastic yoga mat, you’re at risk.

Plastics 1, 2, and 5 appear to be so-called “good” plastics. Look at the number inside the three-arrow recycling code, usually on the bottom or side of the product. And remember those three numbers—1, 2, 5—are so-called “good” plastics--at least, we don't have cause for concern with these plastics at the moment.

WEDNESDAY, May 14: Today’s Small Step: Avoid Number 7 Plastics

Look at the bottom of the next plastic container you hold in your hands. What number is the recycling code? If it’s Number 7, best to toss it in the trash.

The chemical of concern is “bisphenol A” (or BPA), a hard translucent polycarbonate used in sports and baby bottles, and the linings of canned goods, among other things.

Studies show polycarbonate can leach BPA into liquids. No level of BPA exposure is known to be truly safe. In April a government panel expressed “some concern” that BPA causes neural and behavioral problems in children, and possibly breast and prostate cancer. “Some concern” is no laughing matter. It’s technical language meaning the exact midpoint between neglible and egregious harm.

What’s a wise consumer to do? Avoid plastics stamped “No. 7” or “PC,” for “polycarbonate.” When feeding baby, use a glass bottle and powdered formula from non-steel cans. Avoid canned goods, especially canned soup, pasta, and infant formula. Never microwave in plastic—use ceramic or glass,instead.

 Remember these numbers—1, 2, 5—these are the so-called “good” plastics.

THURSDAY, May 16: Today’s Small Step: Avoid Number 3 Plastics

This week we’re exploring the universe of plastics—a multi-billion dollar industry that pollutes the planet, harms our health, and endangers future generations. Today, we’re taking a closer look at Number 3 plastics, found in cooking oil bottles, clear food packaging, and some plastic wraps.

Number 3 plastics contain several synthetic plasticizers, including phthalates and PVC, which break down into toxins that can leach into food and drinks. Scientists believe these chemicals are endocrine disrupters, and suspect they play a role in the epidemic of breast and prostate cancer ravaging this country.

PVC manufacturing releases highly toxic dioxins into the environment, and the materials can off-gas toxic plasticizers into your home. Risk is highest when containers are heated, are put through the dishwasher, or start wearing out.

What’s the wise consumer to do? Always look on the bottom or side of a plastic product to find the number within the three-arrow recycling code. Avoid Number 3 plastics. Purchase cooking oil in glass bottles, don’t drink soda pop from either cans or plastic, and never, ever microwave in plastic.

Remember the numbers 1, 2, and 5. These are the so-called “good” plastics.

FRIDAY, May 17: Today’s Small Step: Avoid Number 6 Plastics

This week “The Green Zone” enters the universe of plastics. So far we’ve learned to avoid plastics numbered 7 and 3.

Today we’re taking a look at the specific plastic whose recycling number is 6, or stamped “PS” for polystyrene. These plastics are found in disposable plates and cups, meat trays, egg cartons, and carry-out containers. Number 6 plastics are made into soft Styrofoam-style cups as well as rigid foams and hard plastic products.

Avoid using them as much as possible. Why? Because number 6 plastics release toxic breakdown particles (including styrene), particularly when heated. That Styrofoam coffee cup doesn’t look so smart any more, does it? Please join me and getting local coffee shops to switch to unbleached paper cups, as they do in environmentally-enlightened locales.

Remember these numbers—1, 2, and 5—these are the so-called “good” plastics--at least that's the word at the moment.