The Hidden Health Risks of Plastics: What You Need to Know
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Chapter 1: Understanding BPA and Its Impact
In preparation for becoming parents, my wife and I found ourselves fixated on product labels. We started by examining nutritional content and ingredient lists, quickly shifting our focus to packaging and manufacturing practices. We meticulously checked the ingredients of baby formula and investigated the materials used in baby bottles, toys, and clothing.
One question dominated our thoughts: “Is it free from BPA?”
Guided by our pediatrician's recommendations and my own background in health and wellness, we were advised to steer clear of anything containing BPA. These concerns extended beyond just expectant parents; individuals of all ages—teenagers, seniors, and everyone in between—were at risk from the harmful chemicals found in everyday items. Discussions about potential health effects began to surface more frequently.
You may already be familiar with BPA or have seen labels claiming “BPA-free.” Over a decade ago, virtually all plastic products contained this chemical. Bisphenol A (BPA) was pervasive, present in everything from plastic containers to the inner linings of aluminum cans, baby bottles, and even baby formula. If you didn’t find it in your cart, it was likely on your receipt.
BPA was inescapable.
Concerns regarding plastic consumption and alarming headlines about harmful chemicals in manufacturing processes gained traction around 2008. Both manufacturers and the general public began to take heed.
Among the first to respond, the Canadian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) labeled BPA as toxic in 2008, at which point annual global production exceeded 6 billion pounds. While American and European regulators were more cautious, they established what they considered “safe” levels of BPA for human exposure.
Instead of waiting for environmental or public health organizations to respond, retailers took proactive measures, pulling products containing BPA from their shelves. Consequently, many items that once contained BPA were reintroduced with new “BPA-free” labels. This remains true for many plastic products we purchase today, including water bottles and various food storage options.
What Exactly Are Endocrine Disruptors?
Perhaps the most significant worry surrounding BPA is its influence on fetal development and young children. BPA and similar chemicals found in plastics are classified as endocrine disruptors, which interfere with our endocrine system—comprising the glands and hormones that regulate various bodily functions.
Hormones serve as vital messengers, guiding specific actions in target organs, tissues, or cells. They play crucial roles in processes such as puberty and sexual development. Thus, synthetic chemicals that disrupt hormonal function are identified as endocrine disruptors.
Despite the decreased use of BPA in water bottles and most food storage products, its production remains substantial, with over 18 billion pounds still manufactured each year—a threefold increase from 2008. Additionally, there are other compounds similar to BPA present in plastics that continue to disrupt biological processes.
BPA Was Just the Beginning
Recent years have seen a resurgence of articles and studies raising alarms about plastics and the harmful chemicals that leach from them.
For instance, in June 2020, Discover magazine published an article titled "Many BPA-Free Plastics are Toxic. Some are Worse Than BPA," in which researchers highlighted ongoing concerns regarding BPA’s connection to fertility issues, miscarriages, and various adverse effects on the endocrine system. The alternatives to BPA, such as Bisphenol F and Bisphenol S, are not only chemically similar but also function in the same harmful way.
In a study from the University of Missouri, scientist Cheryl Rosenfeld warned that exposure to BPS during fetal development could lead to long-lasting health problems, underscoring the message, “Developmental exposure to BPA or even its substitute, BPS, can lead to long-standing health consequences.”
If these findings aren’t alarming enough, consider reading "Count Down: How Our Modern World Is Altering Male and Female Reproductive Development, Threatening Sperm Counts, and Imperiling the Future of the Human Race" by Shanna H. Swan and Stacey Colino. Their research suggests that rising infertility rates are closely linked to endocrine disruptors present in everyday materials, including plastics. They highlight not only the usual culprits like various Bisphenols but also phthalates, which particularly affect male fertility by interfering with testosterone levels.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has compiled a list of known endocrine disruptors, including BPA, dioxins, perchlorates, PFAS, and phthalates. These chemicals are now commonplace in our environment, food, and products. While eliminating them from our lives is challenging, it is not impossible.
Trending Toward a Plastic-Free Lifestyle
Instead of focusing solely on individual chemicals, a more effective strategy might be to reduce plastic usage altogether. Start by eliminating bottled water from your routine, as it often offers no benefits over tap water and contributes significantly to plastic waste.
Consider your food purchasing and storage methods. Opt for glass containers instead of plastic for storage, and avoid reheating food in plastic dishes. When shopping, use reusable bags instead of plastic produce bags or choose paper alternatives. Look for larger items or those with minimal plastic packaging.
While completely removing plastic from our lives is a daunting task, identifying starting points is feasible. Our aim should not merely be to avoid BPA (or its substitutes BPF and BPS), but to strive for a plastic-free lifestyle.
The first video titled "Microplastics, Public Health Myth or Menace - Ian Mudway" delves into the implications of microplastics on public health. It raises questions about whether these tiny particles pose a serious threat or if they are overhyped concerns.
The second video, "Turns Out, Plastics Have Strange Effects on Atmosphere and Life #TeamSeas," discusses the unexpected consequences of plastic usage on both our environment and our health, highlighting the urgency of addressing plastic pollution.