Toxins in Plastics

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine

If you remember the movie “The Graduate,” you might think the most famous line was about seduction. Sure, that’s probably the first thing we think of – but the most prophetic statement in the movie came right out of Dow Chemical’s playbook:

“Plastics. There’s a great future in plastics.”

Unfortunately, that quote has proven to be right – and it’s taken a toll on our health and the health of the planet.

Playing by the Numbers

So what’s wrong with plastic? For one thing, it migrates into the foods we eat. When you eat or drink things that are stored in plastic, some compounds in plastic are transferred into your food and are literally incorporated into you. These plastics are called "Food Contact Substances" by the FDA, but until April 2002, they were called "Indirect Food Additives." The new name is cleansed of the implication that plastic gets into your food.

But here’s a little know secret. Many of the plastic containers we use have a numbering system with a specific number inside a triangle on the bottom of the container. The system is supposed to give you an indication of the chemicals used to create each bottle or jar. Some scientists say a "1" on the bottle means it's safe. But not everyone agrees – with some consumer groups insisting that all plastics are unhealthy under the right circumstances.

For instance, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers, identifiable by the number 1 on the bottom, are recyclable and generally considered the safest single-use plastic-bottle choice. But make sure you don’t reuse them since studies indicate that after repeated use, PET containers may leach DEHP, an endocrine-disrupting chemical and probable human carcinogen.

Two other types of plastic containers can be hazardous even when they are new. A number 3 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) container releases carcinogenic dioxins into the environment when they manufactured or incinerated. They can also leach toxic chemicals. Containers bearing a 6 are made from polystyrene and can leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen.

Bad Actor

What if you find a 7? It’s an indication that your plastic container is leaching bisphenol A (BPA) and is unsafe. BPA is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic – a sturdy, hard plastic found in all sorts of consumer goods, including some non-disposable water bottles, baby bottles, sippy cups and can liners. It’s so pervasive that a government study found BPA exposure in 95 percent of the study participants. In another study, the Environmental Working Group tested more than 90 different cans of food. BPA was found in more than 50 percent of the samples tested.

The problem is that BPA mimics estrogen, which has been linked to reproductive damage and certain forms of cancer. According to animal experiments by the federal National Toxicology Program, exposure to low levels of BPA caused precancerous tumors, urinary tract problems and early puberty.

Soft Sell

So should you look for food and drinks packaged in soft plastic? Nope. Soft plastic contains phthalates – chemicals used to keep plastic flexible. And levels greater than a few parts per million of phthalates can be easily transferred – and then consumed..

The problem with phthalates is that high levels have been shown to cause low sperm counts and reproductive damage to male fetuses. Low levels can cause problems too – negatively impacting the enzyme needed to masculinize the male brain and making people more sensitive to allergens.

Safer Choices

While it’s impossible to avoid all plastics, we can reduce the amount we’re exposed to. All plastics degrade with repeated use, especially when they are tossed into the dishwasher or microwave. Microwave-safe plastic means that a container probably won't melt in the microwave, but there's no promise that it won't leach chemicals into your food. Do not use ANY plastic containers that appear old, stained or worn, since bacteria can hide in scratches or scummy films. Opt for metal, tempered glass or oven-proof ceramic when possible.

If you must use reusable plastic containers, look for the number 5. This indicates that the container was made from polypropylene. Although not as recyclable as some plastics, polypropylene has not been shown to leach any carcinogens or endocrine disruptors.

One Last Thing ...

If you think that plastic is bad for you, just think about what it does to the Earth. Don't let the myth of plastic's recyclability fool you: just because a container has circular arrows with a number in the middle, it does not necessarily mean that it is recycle-ready. These numbers only identify what type of plastic the product contains, not the availability of recycling in your area.

The sad fact is that a great deal of plastic never gets recycled. Even if you recycle plastic at home, chances are that those water bottles and yogurt containers will end up shipped to third world countries or floating atop our oceans.

One promising technology is plastic made from corn. In fact, you can find some health food store deli counters packing their foods in this bioplastic. But don't confuse this sustainable plastic with biodegradable plastic. Biodegradable plastic is petroleum-based and dense with toxic chemicals.

This Just In ...

If you’ve been reading the Advanced Natural Medicine Bulletin for a while, you know I’m a big fan of organic food. There’s mounting evidence that organically grown fruits, vegetables and grains offer more of some nutrients, including vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus – and less exposure to nitrate-based fertilizer and petroleum-derived pesticide residues. And if animal experiments are any indication, eating organically can make you feel better too. According to one study by the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, rats fed organic food were slimmer, slept better, and had stronger immune systems than those fed conventionally grown produce.

But all these benefits seem to pale if you are eating lettuce that has traveled across the country from field to dinner plate. Food loses some of its nutritional value in transit or when it is cold-stored for days or weeks. And, sad to say, when the average American sits down to eat, each ingredient in the meal has typically traveled at least 1,500 miles!

Choosing food grown closer to home, on the other hand, has often been picked when it’s perfectly ripe and within 24 hours of your purchase. Buying locally, whether at your neighborhood farmer’s market or u-pick farm, also gives you the chance to get to know how your produce is grown. If you’re lucky enough to live in an area where farm animals are raised by small family farms, you can also ensure that your meat and dairy products are hormone-free and compassionately raised.

So how can you track down local fare? The USDA’s National Directory of Farmers Markets provides information on farmers’ markets throughout the United States. For the list, visit www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/map.htm. You can also look for a community supported agriculture (CSA) program in your area. CSA members buy “shares” of a farm’s seasonal bounty. Typically, members receive fresh, locally grown and often organic produce once a week from late spring through early fall, and occasionally throughout the winter months. Becoming a member not only creates a closer relationship to the food itself, it also supports environmental responsibility and helps support small farmers, who typically receive only 19 cents out of every food dollar if they sell to large food companies. Local Harvest (www.localharvest.org) maintains a nationwide directory of CSAs, farmers markets and other local food sources to help you think globally and eat locally.

***

References:

Andrade AJM, Grande SW, Talsness CE, et al. “A dose–response study following in utero and lactational exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP): Non-monotonic dose–response and low dose effects on rat brain aromatase activity.” Toxicology. 2006; 227:185-192.

“Guidance for Industry: Preparation of Food Contact Notifications and Food Additive Petitions for Food Contact Substances: Chemistry Recommendations FINAL GUIDANCE.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition, Office of Food Additive Safety. 2002. www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opa2pmnc.

Kale G, Kijchavengkul T, Auras R, et al. “Compostability of Bioplastic Packaging Materials: An Overview.” Macromoecular Bioscience. 2007;7:255-277.

“Organic food miles offset benefits, Canadian study.” Food Production Daily. 6-June-2007.

Takano H, Yanagisawa R, Inoue KI, et al. “Di-(2-ehylhexyl) Phthalate Enhances Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions in Mice.” Environmental Health Perspectives. 2006; 114: 1266-1269.

Tsai WT. “Human health risk on environmental exposure to Bisphenol-A: a review.” Journal of Environmental Science and Health. 2006;24:225-255.