Mounting evidence indicates that the chemical bisphenol A is
adversely affecting women's and children's reproductive health, and may be linked to obesity, breast and prostate cancer, and neurological disorders.. Unfortunately, the chemical is everywhere - in baby bottles,
laptop computers, CDs, dental sealants, food can liners, water bottles, car parts... the list goes on and on. In other words, if you are a living, breathing consumer, you are exposed to bisphenol A multiple times, every single day.
Bisphenol A is a "bad plastic" - so much so that legislators in several states have introduced bills that would restrict sales of children's products containing the chemical. A class action lawsuit was filed in L.A. County against manufacturers and retailers of
affected baby bottles and cups, and the ever-progressive city of San Francisco recently put into action a law that would ban the sale of baby products with bisphenol A.
The public is slowly being educated about the dangers of "bad plastics," no thanks, natch, to the official bisphenol A industry group, which maintains that the chemical "pose[es] no known risks to human health." But those in the know are getting back to basics, and avoiding all plastic when they can. Better to be safe than sorry.
Starting small is the key to phasing any "bad" out of, right? Baby steps. Avoiding bisphenol A is as easy as not eating canned goods, not having dental sealants put in teeth, and using glass instead of plastic cups and bottles. After that? Well, here's one mom's outline of the the steps she took to rid herself and her family of the unknown dangers lurking in their kitchen cupboards. From stainless steel sippy cups and snack containers, to glass food storage bowls, to portable plastic bag alternatives... cutting harmful chemicals out of our lives is a daunting task, but every baby step counts.
