So this one freaks me out a little. I almost hesitate to share it. However, there’s actually something we can do to make safer choices. So I will share.
A press release from the Institute for Agricultural and Trade policy says that the most common baby bottles on the market contain a toxic chemical, bisphenol A. According to the release, from earlier this week, this hormone disruptor is associated with cancers, impaired immune function, early onset of puberty, obesity, diabetes, and hyperactivity, among other problems.
(and while the press release is on baby bottles and sippy cups — and certainly that’s what got my attention — it seems that the problem is not specific to wee ones. The issue with plastics leaching toxins appears to be relevant to anyone whose food or drink touches plastic).
Five of the most popular brands of baby bottles on the market were tested to determine whether bisphenol A leached from the bottles into liquids contained inside them. All five leached bisphenol A at levels that have been found to cause harm in numerous laboratory animal studies. Which baby bottles? Dr. Brown’s (we’ve got ‘em in our house), Avent (yep), Playtex (those too), Evenflow (check), and Gerber (ah, yes. We’re five for five).
The problem isn’t just baby bottles. Many of the plastics we use for drinking, eating, and storing foods are apparently known for leaching all kinds of disturbing things into our system. They’ve been studying the problem for a while, and it seems as though studies funded by industry say that the stuff is safe, but when others do similar studies, it looks otherwise. It’s worth reading this guide to safer plastics to find out which ones are most worrisome, and what your best alternatives are.
For those of you with older kids, note that the problem doesn’t end with baby bottles. Sippy cups are plenty problematic, as well. And as we get older? Many of those disposable water bottles, plastic food storage containers, and other plastic food/drink items can leach toxins, as well.
As for baby bottles and sippy cups, the safer plastics sheet lists safer alternatives:
-Evenflo glass or pastel polyethylene plastic; Gerber polypropylene opaque plastic; Medela breastmilk polypropylene storage bottles and polyethylene milk storage bags; disposable bottle systems with polyethylene plastic inserts (e.g., Playtex Nurser, Playtex Drop-Ins)
-Sippy” cups made of polypropylene or polyethylene: Avent Magic Cup; Evenflo cups (inner lining); First Years Take & Toss; Gerber Color Change, Sport Fun Grip and Soft Starter; Playtex Sipster, Big Sipster; Quick Straw
For the rest of us, you can buy glass storage dishes here. And here. And here. And here. And lots of other places, too.
Sheesh. There if it’s not one unhealthy thing it’s another. We are well out of the baby bottle stage, but I just went and checked the many Nalgene bottles we have here and all of them are 7. Grrrr.
Sorry to bring more bad news to the party, but 57% of your baby’s bath products contain a suspected carcinogen as well. I’ll post about it on my food blog as well, but you can get the details off my MotherTalkers.com page where I post non-food Mom issues:
http://expat-chef.mothertalkers.com/
I second all of what you said…mostly I think it is the #7 plastics that are what cause the concern. I know the website that I posted on my blog http://everydayhappeningsofafrugalmom.blogspot.com/ that sells reusable bags and lead free lunch boxes has a really good customer service team and they will answer all your questions about the plastic issues.
I know I often get completely overwhelmed when I think about all of the chemicals that are in things like plastic, our fabric softeners, shampoos, etc. In fact, I was just looking at all of our plastic food containers last night (s I was pouring the leftover warm turkey chilli into one of them) and thinking about changing them to glass. Were you reading my mind????
A year ago we got rid of our old non-stick pans because they too release unhealthy chemicals when you cook with them. We replaced them with heavy bottom stainless steel. In my dreams they are a set of All-Clad, but in reality we found a fabulous set made my none other than Martha at K-Mart. Good quality pans…ok prices.
By the way, Greg and I both really like your blog!
One more thing, America’s Test Kitchen (we love them!) has found that pyrex glass is actually the best pan to bake things in. I used them as much as I can rather than using non-stick pans.
Good grief.
Oh Geez, Cleaner Plate ! What’s next ???
It’s scary how much out there is potentially dangerous to your health…
My holistic obgyn warned me against drinking soft drinks out of aluminum cans as well. She’s not into plastic, either, for the same reasons you discussed.
For her, glass containers are the best alternative…
I have been meaning to replace the bottles I use for pumping with glass for awhile. Yesterday I put the evenflo glass bottles into my Amazon cart, my husband added a few other items, and by today when I placed the order Amazon was out of stock. Glass bottles are the new tickle me Elmo - nearly impossible to find! I did find some, and also ordered 2 stainless steel sippy cups (that use the Avent spouts we already have). Thanks for bringing this up again.
The Nuby cup supposedly does not contain the bad plastics, and they are about $2.50 at the grocery store.
Gladware (disposable) from what I have read is okay, too.
Hi! So glad to run across this blog! I feel so lonely in that nobody I know cares about toxins in our environment! Thank goodness you people are here….
I looked at the sites for glass storage. However, most of them had plastic lids. Do you find that to be a concern?
I bought some glass storage at Ikea. Glass lids too with rubber around the edges. They work pretty well but sometimes I am not so sure they are air tight.
Switched the kids’ sippy cups over to Klean Kanteen. Has anyone found a cheaper sippy cup? These are ten plus dollars I think.
Krista - I don’t use the kind with the glass lids, mostly because our storage often gets transported - in kiddos’ lunchboxes, to work with me or my hubby, etc. - and I need lids that are air tight.
Mostly, I choose to ignore the problem of the plastic lids, because I don’t see an alternative. The food doesn’t touch the lids when it’s sitting neatly in the refrigerator, although in a lunchbox, it does get splashed around. I did order the glass baby bottles, which I actually love - they feel really good and old-fashioned. It’s been two months now, and one has broken. I still have the plastic as the occasional back-up, but mostly I just use the glass.
I didn’t know about Kleen Kanteen. One kid is past the sippy cup phase, the other one has not yet entered it. But I will look for it. Thanks for the tip. If I see any less expensive ones, I’ll post it here.