PLASTIC IS NOT SO FANTASTIC

By Eve Plews

Licensed Nutrition Counselor

(Originally published in Sarasota’s Natural Awakenings magazine October, 2009)

Plastic here, plastic there, plastic is everywhere – even in your body!  You might have thought it was only in your water bottle or take out container for the lovely leftovers you’ll enjoy another day.  Alas, your pets chew toy, the baby’s pacifier, the noodle to float with at the beach—are all plastic.

The chemical additives used to modify many forms of plastic have negative health affects on your body and the world.  No one looks forward to Styrene (vinyl benzene) for breakfast, Chimasorb81 for lunch and Irganox PS 800 at dinner.  Plus, it’s just not ecologically sensible to continue to load land-fills with plastic bottles of any kind. 

                                                         Plastic hurts the world. This constant companion in modern life has a dark side; its environmental impact harms many forms of wildlife.  Plastic does not break down easily and progressively builds up in the environment.  Shore and seabirds get entangled in six pack carrier rings; they feed their chicks packing pellets that poison them.  Fish and birds become snared in monofilament fishing line. More than 180 species of animals have been documented to ingest plastic debris. Over 300 million tons are produced worldwide annually.  All the plastic produced in the last century is less than the amount produced in the last nine years according to a report from the British Antarctic Survey released this year.

Thankfully, a new corn based plastic called polylactic acid (PLA) offers a bio-degradable choice for food containers.  Expect to see more corn based plastics in the future.  Yea!

However, plastic can endure for thousands of years in the reduced temperatures and low ultra-violet exposure of oceans, lakes, and rivers.  Even burying it deep in the earth doesn’t prevent its negative impact on the environment.  Landfills currently account for plastic as 10% of all generated waste.  Chemicals from the plastic sink into the ground, contaminating groundwater.  Need you be reminded; Florida is the ONLY state that gets no snow melt at all, thus securing all its water needs from groundwater.  The tiny exception is one desalinization plant in Southern Hillsboro County and one in Key West.  Bummer.

You can contribute to a cleaner planet.

1. Buy products that use a minimum of plastic packaging materials Glass and recyclable aluminum cans where possible. Protest over packaging.
2. Stop buying plastic water bottles.  Just STOP.
3. Don’t let Styrofoam packing pellets or materials get loose into the environment.
4. Pick up plastic whenever you see it on the street, in the parking lot, at the beach; before birds, fish or other wildlife suffer or die from it. 
5. Recycle #1 and #2 plastic.  Even #5 is now accepted at Whole Foods for recycling. 

Of greatest concern is the effect of phthalates (used as plasticizers in food packaging, vinyl flooring and medical devices) on the reproductive systems of all living things from sea life to humans. 

Plastic hurts us.  Eight of every ten babies born this year will have phthalates,

in their tissue when they are born!   The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports 93% of all citizens tested have bisphenol A (BPA) detectable in their urine.  

Plastics can cause genetic changes that set up opportunity for a cancer, cause birth defects, lower sperm count and impair immunity.  Ulcers, skin diseases, deafness and vision failure have all been linked to plastic toxicity.

Environment California Research and Policy Center reviewed 130 studies on BPA that linked it to Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

Dr. Frederick von Saal at the University of Missouri at Columbia claims these plastics “cause harm to the brain and reproductive system when exposure occurs during fetal life or prior to weaning.”  Even small exposures to estrogen mimicking BPA lead to abnormalities in mammary tissue and an increase in pre-cancerous lesions and tumors. 

Dr. Susan Duty at Harvard School of Public Health found an association between sperm damage and phthalate exposure in adult men.  This correlation is extremely troubling as DNA damage to the sperm cell lead to miscarriage, birth defects, infertility and cancer in the offspring. 

Baby boys born to mothers exposed to phthalates may have smaller genitals and changes to the expected distance between the anus and base of the penis.  This demonstrates the impact on the reproductive system according to the Chief of Endocrinology at Northwestern University, Andrea Dunaif, MD.

Plastic in canned goods. The linings of cans can be lined with a BPA- laden resin.  Even organic products may be canned in a BPA coated can.  Plastic silverware is made from poly-carbonate containing BPA.  Ziploc, Glad bags and Saran wrap are BPA- free.

Plastic bottles and containers.   Baby bottles and Sippy cups often leach BPA and can alter hormone signaling in the developing child.  Look at the number in the triangle under the container or bottle.  Avoid #3 (polyvinyl chloride or PVC), #6 (Polystyrene or PS), #7 Lexan or Nalgene that leach Bisphenol A (BPA) which decreases testosterone and has been linked to breast and uterine cancers.    Best plastic choices include #1 PETE, #2 HDPE, #4 LPDE, #5 PP. Better yet, use aluminum and stainless steel bottles. 

Plastic in cosmetics and toys.  Phthalates are often found in cosmetics, shampoo, and plastic toys children & pets suck and chew on.  Even the “new car smell” is due to phthalates.  Read labels on shampoo, conditioners, antiperspirants, sunscreen, skin lotions and fragrances for the presence of all phthalates; avoid products containing DBP, DEP or BBP. 

Nutrient supplements and foods do not remove plastic from the body.  It is not metabolized by the liver.  The best chance you have to reduce exposure is to reduce exposure.  The endocrine system you save will be your own.

Be plastic smart at every purchase and aware at every use.

1.  Never microwave anything in plastic.

2.   Remove leftovers from Styrofoam boxes when you get home.

3. Avoid Styrofoam cups for hot or cold acidic beverages.
4. Plastic juice and soda water bottles should never be reused, even the #1 “good plastic.”  They can leach a carcinogen, DEHP, when they get heated or scratched. 
5. Buy frozen fruits and vegetables, which have no risk of BPA containing can linings. 
6. Stop buying plastic bottles, period. Just stop.