FitSugar

Casa Quickie: Skip the Plastic

Elka Karl — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:00:31 PDT

LilSugar recently shared five great tips for reducing toxins in your home - at little or no cost, courtesy of the Healthy Home 2010 project. My favorite tip? Reduce plastics in your home. Recommendations include replacing plastics with natural alternatives such as textiles, solid wood, bamboo, glass, or stainless steel.

Additionally, when you do buy something at the store, look for items that use little to no plastic packaging, or choose products you can recycle or repurpose for storage after the product is used (LilSugar suggests using a yogurt container for crayon storage). To learn more about plastics, check out this slide from LilSugar's post.

Have you reduced plastic use in your home? Share your tips in the comments!

Source: Nick Novelli, Novelli PhotoDesign

Another Plastic Health Risk - Erectile Dysfunction

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:13:34 PST

While there have been previous studies, linking bisphenol A (BPA), found in hard plastics, to health problems, including precancerous tumors, prostate cancer, and brain damage, a new study, conducted in China, substantiates its claims with results in humans. In one of the first studies of its kind to be conducted on humans, researchers are finding that much of what they've previously seen in animal studies holds true - men exposed to significant amounts of BPA are at greater risk of sexual health problems.

The study compared the levels of sexual dysfunction in two groups of male factory workers - one group, which was exposed to high levels of BPA, while the other was not. The overall findings of the research reveal that when BPA enters the body, it may mimic estrogen, and block male sex hormones from functioning. In the males who were exposed to high levels of BPA, researchers observed that the risk of erectile dysfunction was four times that of a man not exposed to the chemicals.

According Dr. Rebecca Sokol, the director of the andrology program at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine, and specialist in the effects of toxins on the reproductive system, these are some "compelling results." She notes that, "It's not cause and effect, but when you have the kind of ambient air quality assessment that they made, it comes pretty close to cause and effect."

To learn more about the study keep reading

Thirsty For Change? US Mayors Tap Tap Water, Ban the Bottle

LibertySugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:15:18 PDT

The US Conference of Mayors, meeting in Miami, banned bottled water this week. The cities will no longer use municipal funds to purchase water bottles.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who proposed the resolution along with 17 other big-city mayors, said:

"Cities are sending the wrong message about the quality of public water when we spend taxpayer dollars on water in disposable containers from a private corporation."

But Newsom isn't exactly the first person on the tap-water train. Sixty American mayors have already canceled their hydration contracts, and some places in Canada have also banned the bottle.

Rejecting plastic water bottles is more environmentally and financially sustainable. Millions of bottles a day do not get recycled, and the plastic takes at least 1,000 years to biodegrade.

The American Beverage Association feels betrayed. In a statement, the association reminded those ready to turn on the bottle that private companies come to the rescue during emergencies that compromise public water systems. The statement also notes that plastic bottles are 100 percent recyclable.

Should thirsty city workers be subjected to tap water? First plastic bags, now plastic water bottles, whatever will we do?! Well, here are some great alternatives to the plastic water bottle.

Source

Casa Verde: Know Your Plastics

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 05:30:42 PDT

You may have noticed some numbers surrounded by chasing-arrow symbols on consumer packaging like water bottles, plastic bags, bottle caps, toys, etc. If you have, good! That's step one. But, do you know what they mean? Contrary to what you may think, these icons do not mean that the products can be recycled, or that they're made of recycled plastic; they actually identify which types of plastic a product is made of. Once you know this, you can determine if it can be recycled or not. Unfortunately, not all plastic can be recycled. Most recycling centers accept types one and two, types four and five are less commonly recycled, and types six and seven are rarely, if not virtually never, recycled. For a rundown,

read more. Type 1 (PETE): Polyethylene Terephthalate. Soft drink and water bottles, some waterproof packaging. Commonly recycled. Type 2 (HDPE): High-Density Polyethylene. Milk, detergent, and oil bottles, toys, and some plastic bags. Commonly recycled. Type 3 (V): Vinyl/Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). Food wrap, vegetable oil bottles, construction materials, shower curtains. Not recyclable, can leach chemical additives and is known to offgass in the air! To find out the rest, read more. Type 4 (LDPE): Low-Density Polyethylene. Many plastic bags, squeezable bottles, garment bags. Recycled at most centers but not curbside programs. Type 5 (PP): Polypropylene. Refrigerated containers, some bags, most bottle tops, some carpets, some food wrap. Recycled at most centers but not curbside programs. Type 6 (PS): Polystyrene. Throwaway utensils, meat-packing, take-out containers, protective packing. Recycled at some centers but not curbside programs, and banned in some cities. Type 7 (OTHER): Composite plastic. Nalgene bottles, milk cartons, toothpaste tubes. Can't be recycled, must be landfilled. That wasn't so hard, was it? Now if you can just keep these in mind when shopping and stick to more commonly recycled products and packaging, you can help trim down those landfills. Of course, avoiding plastic all together would be best, but we all know that's a pretty difficult task as it stands. For more details, check out the Consumer Recycling Guide, Planet Green, and the Plastics Web.

What About Microwaving Plastic Containers?

FitSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:00:00 PDT

The recent news about the possible health risks of using polycarbonate bottles (like ones made by Nalgene) has made me a little uneasy. Now I'm wondering about about the relationship between microwaves and plastic, like the reusable food containers I heat up almost daily.

Are the high temperatures leaching chemicals into my food? Should I use ceramic or glass containers instead? To find out

read more. According to the FDA, microwaving plastic food containers is safe, and although small amounts of chemicals from these containers may leach into your food, the amounts are small enough that they can't harm you. This statement is not exactly the reassurance I was looking for. Fit's Tips: It's recommended to use containers that are specifically marked "microwave safe." Margarine tubs and yogurt or carryout containers from restaurants should not be reheated in the microwave. If you're unsure about the container, reheat your food into a regular plate or bowl instead. Or if you don't want to deal with plastic containers at all, you may want to pick up some glass containers with lids.

Just Say No to Nalgene?

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:00:00 PDT

The future may no longer be in plastics.

Another study linked the chemical bisphenol A, used to make hard, shatter proof plastics, to precancerous tumors, urinary tract problems and early puberty. The study was performed on rats that were fed or injected with small amounts of the chemical, and although the results are preliminary the group of scientists involved in the study said that possible effects on humans "cannot be dismissed." The National Toxicology Program, who headed the study, is comprised of scientists from many formidable national agencies: the Center for Disease Control, US Food and Drug Administrations, and the US Institutes of Health. Agencies not likely to be ignored considering that this study echoes findings made late last summer by the National Institute of Health.

Bisphenol A is ubiquitous and found in Nalgene bottles, that say polycarbonate (#7 on the bottom) as well as clear plastic baby bottles. It is also used as a liner for cans. Since this questionable chemical can leach into water or food that comes in contact with the hard plastic, many Canadian retailers have pulled products, like Nalgene bottles from their shelves. Once popular only with backpackers, Nalgene bottles have found a niche as reusable water bottle for thirsty folks working on decreasing their carbon and plastic footprint. There are other options like SIGG bottles, made from aluminum; they're lightweight, durable, and cute.

So say "No" to Nalgene and other polycarbonate plastics. I've made the switch and given up my lovely orange Nalgene bottle that I have used for years. What about you? Share the details in the comments section below.

Source

Lil Tip: Texting Your Way To Bisphenol A Free Baby Products

babysugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:00:24 PST

Have you ever been at the store poised to buy a slew of bottles for babe when you suddenly wonder, "Are these Bisphenol A free?" While you can ask the clerk for information, you may not have faith in their response.

If that's the case, just pull out your cell phone and text "zrecs" and the company name to 69866. They will shoot back a BPA report for you right away.

To see how it works,

read more. For example, if you want to know if the Boon Snack Ball has BPA in it, you would text "zrecs boon" to 69866. The response you get will look like this: "Reported BPA–Free: Fluid, Benders, Modware, Catch Bowl, Groovy, Snack Ball. W/BPA: Squirt." You can also check out the Z Recommends Z Report on BPA where the directory format lists over 45 U.S. brands and provides an analysis of all bottles, cups, breast pumps, pacifiers, utensils, and tableware.

Most of the Gifts My Tot Got Were Made Of ...

babysugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 10:05:13 PST

I went to one of the big name toy stores last week and noticed the shelves were close to empty. Clearly, plastic toys weren't banned from too many of Santa's wish lists. But, I am curious to know if wooden, cloth, vinyl, or other fabricated playthings were more prominent in your babe's loot bag than usual.
Source

How to Pack It: Your Lunch and Plastics

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 02:00:00 PDT

There are plenty of reasons to avoid using so much plastic, both environmental and health wise. For instance, marine researchers have shown that plastic debris outweighs zooplankton in remote parts of the Pacific. Health wise, phthalates, a chemical added to normally rigid PVC to make soft products, are potential hormone disruptors and may increase infertility in men.

When it comes to packing lunch, most of us use plastic wrap, plastic baggies, and/or plastic containers to transport our food. First off we should all be packing our food in reusable containers to avoid adding excess plastic to landfills. I like to use pyrex containers since they are glass and microwaveable, but let's face it that is just impractical for little kids. Pyrex is too heavy, plus it's breakable. When shopping for reusable food containers, avoid plastics with the following number inside the recycling symbol: #3 (PVC), #6 (Polystyrene), and #7 (Polycarbonate). These chemicals are no good for our bodies or the planet!

Ideal Bite has some great suggestions for non-plastic food containers if you brown bag your lunch.

Source

Controversial Plastics and You

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:30:00 PDT

How do you feel about bisphenol A (BPA)? While you might not know what this chemical compound is, chances are high that it is in your home and even in you. I hate to sound so alarmist but a recent report on BPA alarmed me.

The chemical compound BPA is used to make hard plastics and is found in plastic baby bottles, dental sealants and linings of metal cans among other common household objects. Recent government tests found that BPA was in 95 percent of human subjects studied. BPA mimics the action of hormones in animals studied and has been linked to obesity, early puberty, hyperactivity, and abnormal reproductive cycles.

In a recent statement, 38 scientists said that Americans are exposed to more off this chemical than previously thought and that the level likely surpasses the governments current safety standard. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, bisphenol A is safe in doses of up to 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight, per day. But a paper presented Thursday concludes that the high levels of bisphenol A in human blood and tissue suggest people are actually exposed to 10 times that amount. YIKES!

Although the scientists say their estimates are conservative, the American Chemistry Council, the trade association representing North American chemical manufacturers, feels the anti-BPA statement is unbalanced and inaccurate.

I think we will be hearing a bit more about BPA as more studies are slated to determine how this chemical is interacting with our bodies and our environment.

Source