The Problem with Plastic
Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2008 by bbb-admin
Plastic bottles… they come in all shapes and sizes. Some come filled with water from a sparkling glacier stream, some come with vitamin, mineral or otherwise fortified water, and it is rumored that still others come with water that some industrious individuals have simply filled with tap water and sold to unsuspecting thirsty consumers. There are sippy cups, baby bottles, bottles for bikes, bottles for hikes…. But is all this plastic really okay?
All plastic will eventually break down. What exactly does that mean for our health? Studies show that as plastic breaks down it releases various toxins, such as dioxins (known carcinogens) and Bisphenol A, or BPA. The leaching of these dangerous toxins is accelerated when we heat, clean or expose the bottles to something acidic (lemonade, anyone?). Microwaves and dishwashers are also culprits in breaking down plastic. Even something as simple as exposure to the sun may cause the release of unhealthy toxins onto our (or worse, to our kids’) beverages. This knowledge makes me regret the times that I’ve left my daughter’s sippy cup in the hot car on a summer day! Even the thicker reusable plastic bottles that claim to be safe are simply safer. They too have a shelf-life that will be shortened by such things as, yes, heating, washing and acidity.
There are also the environmental implications to consider. California claims to have over a billion plastic bottles wind up in their landfill every year. Even our oceans are at risk. Although plastic breaks down, it never disappears. The particles simply become smaller and smaller. As particles that have found their way in to the ocean circulate through the water they are often mistaken for plankton by fish. In fact, there is now more broken down plastic in the central North Pacific ocean than surface zooplankton.
In my efforts to find the best alternatives for the health of my family and our environment I have decided to take small steps. I use alternatives to plastic wherever possible, choosing stainless steel or tempered glass instead. These are more durable, safer and I swear that water tastes fresher out of them! Someday I believe that my children, and possibly even a fish, will thank us.
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