Health risks from plastics come primarily from food storage, preparation, and purchasing. When heated, plastic containers and/or wrap can leach harmful chemicals into your food. These chemicals, bisphenols and phthalates, are known endocrine disruptors and are implicated in numerous health challenges like diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Plastic Pollution Coalition is currently a co-investigator on a pilot study, ReThink Plastic, funded by California’s Breast Cancer Research Fund (CBCRF). PPC is working with Child Health and Development Studies (CHDS) to test an intervention strategy that reduces plastic use through educating trainers about toxic chemicals in plastics.
What are some simple things you can do to reduce your risk?
1. Never heat food in plastic containers in the microwave.
2. Use glass or stainless steel water bottles.
3. Reduce take-out and fast food.
4. Eat more fresh food.
5. Use glass or ceramic bowls or dishes to heat food or drinks in the microwave.
6. Use glass, ceramic, wood, or stainless steel containers for storage.
7. Use cloth or canvas bags for shopping.
8. Let food cool to room temperature before putting it into plastic storage containers. Whenever possible, use glass or ceramic containers.
9. Buy prepared soups, sauces and condiments in glass jars. Wash and save them for reuse.
10. Hand wash plastic containers. Plastic containers leach chemicals onto other dishes in the dishwasher.
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