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ditching plastic and going
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Transitioning to a zero waste lifestyle isn't just about saving the ocean
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reducing your exposure to toxic chemicals.
HEALTH CARE
APRIL 29, 2020
Olivia Sullivan
On a normal day, I wake up and brush my teeth with a plastic
toothbrush, coating the bristles with toothpaste I squeeze out of a
plastic tube. For breakfast, I head to the kitchen to make some toast,
pulling the bread slices out of thin plastic-film packaging. On my way to
work, I listen to a podcast on my phone, which is guarded by a plastic
case. Occasionally, I may even stop for a hot coffee in a disposable cup
made of both paper and plastic.
It is nearly impossible to go one day, or even an hour, for that matter,
without using a product made from plastic. Plastic is essential in our
everyday lives, but what do we really know about its impacts?
Most people are familiar with the negative impacts that single-use
plastic has on the environment. Plastic pollutes our air, water and land
throughout its lifecycle, from the resource-intensive process used to
extract fossil fuels that are then turned into plastic, to the plastic waste
that litters our communities and parks, chokes our wildlife, and poisons
our oceans. These negative impacts are the ones that the zero waste
movement focuses on, and for good reason: plastic is one of the worst
and most harmful materials for our environment.
However, plastic isn’t just a nightmare for our wildlife and ecosystems. It
also contains toxic chemicals that harm our health. Over a hundred
different chemical additives are in the plastic products that we use
everyday, and we still don’t know the health effects of all of them.
We do know that at least a few of the chemical additives are toxic and
can harm our health. Because of how reliant we are on plastic products
in our everyday lives, we are constantly exposed to these chemicals in
the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe. Two
chemicals in particular are most concerning: phthalates and
bisphenols.
Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors — meaning they interfere
with the body’s natural hormonal regulation process — and can interfere
with reproductive development and cause infertility. Some phthalates
have been linked to cancer.
Like phthalates, bisphenols are also endocrine disruptors. You may be
familiar with one specific bisphenol, BPA, because many of our water
bottles and hard plastic products now advertise that they are BPA-free.
Research has linked BPA to reproductive disorders, heart disease, type 2
diabetes, breast and prostate cancer, and asthma. Exposure to both
chemicals is especially concerning during fetal development, infancy
and childhood, as they have the potential to affect the brain during
development.
So, now what? It can seem overwhelming to avoid exposure to these
harmful chemicals once you think about how pervasive plastic is in your
life. But by taking a few precautions, you can minimize your contact
with toxic plastic chemicals that can leach into your food and drinks and
come in contact with your skin.
Especially while many of us spend more time at home, it’s worth
reducing your family’s exposure to toxic chemicals contained in
common household plastics. U.S. PIRG Education Fund has a complete
guide on the major sources of toxic chemicals from plastic in your home
and how to best reduce your exposure. A few of the tips include avoiding
plastic food packaging, swapping out plastic containers labeled with
codes 3, 6, and 7, and never heating plastic in the dishwasher or
microwave.
Following all of these tips may not be possible for everyone right away.
That’s ok!
Phasing some of these suggestions into your life can make eliminating
toxic plastic chemicals from your home and diet more manageable and
can have health benefits down the line. In the meantime, just be mindful
of how much plastic you use, especially plastic that comes into contact
with your food and beverages, and eliminate exposure whenever
possible. It will benefit you in the long run and have major benefits for
the environment, too.
TOPICS
Health care
AUTHORS
Olivia Sullivan
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