Much of our exposure to endocrine disruptors occurs through what we eat and drink— in some cases, chemicals such as plasticizers may have migrated from food or beverage packaging.
Many plastic products are now marketed as BPA-free, and manufacturers have begun substituting other chemicals whose effects aren't as well known.
The researchers bought more than 450 plastic items from stores including Walmart and Whole Foods. They chose products designed to come in contact with food — things like baby bottles, plastic wine glass, deli packaging and flexible bags, says George Bittner, one of the study's authors and a professor of biology at the University of Texas, Austin.
Based on their research, more than 95 percent of the products tested positive for estrogenic activity after undergoing this sort of stress test. This would be something like cutting into the plastic, using a microwave, heating it, or exposing it to UV rays. Many food-related plastic items are exposed to this type of use.
So what are some things that you could do for less Hormone Disruption exposure in your Food-Items?
- Replace any Plastic Cookware & Utensil items with Wood or Stainless Steel (No Silicone)
- Avoid Direct Contact with BPA-Lined Thermal Paper (Receipts at Stores)
- Swap out Plastic Food Storage Containers for Glass Food Storage Containers
- Replace Plastic Straws Use Items with Stainless Steel, Bamboo or Glass
- Reduce Use of Plastic To-Go Containers or Fast-Food Containers
- Replace Plastic Food Wrap with Beeswax Re-useable Food Wrap
- Swap All Plastic Water Bottles for Glass or Stainless Steel
- Avoid Plastic-Lined Canned Food (Just BPA Free Doesn't Cover It)
- When Out, Buy a Glass Bottled Beverage instead of Plastic Bottled Beverages
Buy Fresh! When going to the store and picking out loose vegetables and bringing fill-it-yourself containers for bulk items, you'll reduce your interaction with plastics the most. This is another reason why even canning at home, is one of the best ways to reduce these unknown toxins.
Another way to start to use less plastic "on a budget" is to get creative with Mason Jars! You can use them as sealed-tight drinking glasses with the right lids, seed sprouting containers, food storage, soap dispensers, herb/spice/salt containers, overnight meal storage, DIY pudding cups, homemade yogurt jars, piggy bank, herb growing containers, and other misc-item-holders.
In case you must use plastic products, avoid putting them in the microwave, dishwasher, and other situations that increase chemical leakage.
Obviously, for most of us it is nearly impossible to avoid all plastic products 100% of the time. By reducing your exposure though, and being more mindful, it can aid us all in the long term and only benefit society as a whole during our transition to a less-polluted future.