Harmful Plastics

I don't think you're being overly concerned at all. We threw out all my daughter's Dr. Brown's bottles months ago. I also threw out all my tupperware. We only use glass containers for food storage. We have SIGG and Klean Kanteen water bottles. My 15 month old even has a Klean Kanteen. We LOVE them!! Whole Foods sells Born Free sippies and bottles as well as SIGGS. Or, you can order them online.

Amen, Sister! I've heard the same stuff recently. My kids are 8 and 5 and drank from plastic bottles and sippy cups. Now they drink their milk in plastic cups, I pack their lunches in plastic sandwich bags, all their shampoo and lotion (eco-friendly shampoo and lotion, btw) is in plastic containers--you get the idea.

I was raised with the iea that plastics were safest because they were shatterproof. Now I'm being told that I've been poisoning myself and my kids from birth.

Last year is was trans fats. Before that, the boogie man was white flour and sugar. Before that, it was hormones in dairy products. Before that, it was red meat.

Enough already!! What am I to do--tell my kids to go outside and eat grass? Build wooden car seats? Raise some hormone-free chickens in my front yard?

Oh J.! We all ask this questions, but please don't feel guilty or worry about things that you can't change. Move on! I know that it is hard, I came from a country where everything is more natural, we didn't use that much stuff or plastics, I was born in Argentina and over there we didn't have that much waste either, I was so concerned when we moved here (more than 10 years ago now) I couldn't believe how much waste! Plastics, boxes, paper! I can't keep up with so much junk that I receive in the mail every day...Well....I am changing the subject here, but the truth is that big companies feed us without testing the products really well. They go for cheap and easy for them to make more money, and of course we buy it because it is practical.
I have been a customer of a company that sells healthier products for about 3 years now but I am still concern like you with the rest, the rest that we don't know (my kids used plastic cups too). Everyday there is something new, something else that might be harmful and the big companies are not responsible for that and even if they are, they can't buy lives back.
Other thought, you are worried because your children used plastic cups....we've all used them! And many others before us and not every body is sick or dead....so I wouldn't worry about it, just try to be as natural as possible, I like to think that if we are kind to our environment, we get good in return. I also have a group that I am starting about healthier ways to live that is called: Reduce, Recycle, Reuse.
I am trying to get moms that are interested in a better quality of life, from healthier recipes to less waste and chemicals. Sharing the knowledge! No advertising though. When I joined the wellness company I decided that I was not going to mix it with my love for being green or it would sound like advertising. So if you want to be part of a green moms group to share ideas and news, check it out here: http://www.lilaguide.com/groups/ReduceRecycleReuse
But don't worry about it anymore, that won't help. You are doing your best just by caring about it.
And if we all do the same, may be some day the big companies will stop poisoning people.
I guess we all need to vent!:)
Thanks for bringing the issue,
Mariana Abadie
www.MaiaCreations.ecrater.com
www.MyKidsFirst.com

Thank you so much for posting this question! I had heard this, but did not really research it much until I read through some of this. I looked at the video clip from the Today Show, then checked into it more and found some great info here: http://www.iatp.org/ Also, this site tells which are good and which are bad: http://zrecs.blogspot.com/2007/07/z-report-bisphenol-in-p... (both sites have more useful information as well)

Again, I thank you so much for helping me to see I have all the WRONG bottles! I am going to replace them ASAP and get good BPA-Free sippy cups, too.

I even checked the bottom of my favorite refillable water bottle, and guess what? I am going to pitch that, too!

I'm with J. W. There is always some new way that we are destroying our kids' health and lives. It's absurd the amount of things that we are told to fear now. I grew up in the country, drinking from the garden hose, spending all day during the summer outside without sunscreen, consuming red meat like it was air, riding my bike all over God's creation WITHOUT a helmet or pads, you name it. I'm still alive, completely healthy, and relatively sane. Granted, there will always be sensible upgrades made (for example, I think it's a wonderful idea now that babies should be in a car seat versus tossing them in the back window like they did in the 50s), but some sad, pathetic little group has decided to make themselves the powers that be and determine we all have to be afraid of everything. I don't have time to keep up with everything that is supposedly killing my family slowly and painfully. I am too busy raising them to be normal functioning people to waste every moment dwelling over what ingredients in pancakes will give them a tumor. My suggestion, if you hear about it and it worries you, consult her pediatrician and then move on. You aren't doing yourself or your daughter any favors by worrying too much. Naturally, any good mom will have concerns over things, but don't let them control your every move because many of them are utterly ridiculous.

I just had a baby six months ago, and purchased Dr. Brown's and Avent bottles and sippy cups. I too, am concerned about this and have thrown out all his cups and bottles and replaced them with Born Free bottles and cups. (BPA Free) Some other good ones are made by Thermos, Adiri, Klean Kanteen, MAM loves me, SIGG, and Green to Grow. Hope this helps concerned moms.

J.,

I hear ya. I feel the same way and I'm getting ready to throw away all of my plastic sippy cups. I have a 7 and 3 year old and have been reading up on all this stuff the past year or so. I've found a great website that you can purchase aluminum bottles from (for kids and adults). It's www.sigg.com. I heard about it from the body and soul mag. I feel much better letting my kids drink out of it rather than plastic. And, it helps us cut down on all the plastic water bottle trash.

K.

Dear J.,

I, too, had recieved eMails, etc on the dangers of plastic and heating in the microwave, etc. Then, I received another eMail telling me that this was all a hoax. The best place to find information between true and false is a website called snopes.com They give you information that will help you make a more informed decision as to what is true and what is totally false or exagerated. Hope this helps.J. B

You need to take this seriously. The research on the dangers of BPA has been coming out for several years but the plastics industry has been trying to suppress it. It causes chromosome missegration which will lead to birth defects and miscarriages as well as cancer. Unfortuantely based on mice studies the worst effects are seen in what would be your children's children so we won't see the effects of the use of BPA in plastics for 20-40 years. I study chromosome missegration so I have seen the actual research. They are good, well done studies. Changing to glass and other plastics is a pain but worth it. In the mean time if you have BPA bottles do not put them in the dishwasher. A combination of detergent and high heat makes the BPA leach out faster fromt the bottles. Secondly never use a washed bottles that still has water in it from the wash. Dry bottles thoroughly before use.

I'm with you on this one. After my husband was diagnosed with cancer last summer at age 26, I started researching healthier ways of living. I asked his oncologist how we could rid his body of all the toxic chemo, and he said there's nothing you can do. I didn't like that so I started researching.

About doctors, I now wonder why his oncologist didn't tell my husband to stay away from sugar and acidic foods. I now know that sugar and acidic foods are what cancer cells feed on. Wouldn't this be something an oncologist should know and inform their patients about?

I have been trying to do everything I can to prevent future illness like the one my husband had because although he survived, we may not be so blessed next time. I have found that I get really frustrated because it seems there is always something new in the news or that should have been in the news that we should know about.

Here are some of the things that I have done and that I feel I have control over: We have changed our diet to include mostly all organic, fresh, and natural foods. A good book to read to learn how to do this is "If It's Not Food, Don't Eat It" by Kelly Hayford C.N.C. It is more affordable than you might realize (at least it's cheaper than hospital bills), way more healthy than picking up fast food or frozen meals, and we feel so much better and have way more energy. I like knowing that I'm not feeding my family all those toxins.

In light of the recent news on plastics, I have purchased new water bottles: Kleen Kanteen has great, stainless steel in all sizes, even for kids.

I recently read some articles on the electromagnetic fields (EMF's) that are all around us and are emitted from things like computers, cell phones, alarm clocks, microwaves, and flourescant lights (there are more). I was frustrated because we cannot avoid them but they can cause damage. Studies have linked EMF's with childhood leukemia, lymphoma, other cancers, and other illnesses. Of course there are people saying this is not true, but those people are the cell phone companies and other electronic product companies. One thing I read said that the EPA released a statement about the dangers of EMF's but that lobbyists got them to change their statement to sound less alarming.

My point is, it is frustrating that almost everything around us can have some negative side effect and it's unavoidable. But, you also have to look at the positives of technology. Although your cell phone could one day cause a brain tumor, it could save your life in an emergency. The scary thing is also that all these things we are exposed to were never around when our parents and grandparents were growing up. It's too soon to know what the long term side effects are, yet they continue to surround us.

I have learned to change the things I have control over, like changing our diet, heating food in a toaster oven or stove rather than microwave, moving the alarm clock away from the table next to my head where I sleep, not using plastics, but I try to stop worrying about the things I can't change. Another good thing is to inform others about what you know and the things that can be changed.

Let me know if you'd like to talk more about this. It is one of my biggest interests.
Best wishes, C.

http://video.nbcsandiego.com/player/?id=238516

Watch this!!!

I do not think you are overly concerned ... I posted about this a couple of weeks ago and no one commented. (Maybe they thought I was crazy! lol) We can't change the past, so try not to worry about what's done. But, now that we know about it, we can be responsible consumers/parents.

I think it's a little soon to think that your child's symptoms are completley from the BPA, though. She would have to be exposed to a SIGNIFICANT amount of it before it is proven to cause any harm in tests (although the tests weren't on humans ... so who knows).

I'm concerned, too. I found this site where you can sign a petition to get manufacturers to stop making unsafe bottles and cups. Visit http://www.babystoxicbottle.org. There is also a lot of good information there.

Bottom line. I'd bet your toddler is just being a toddler ... but if you're like me, you won't rest until you hear that it's all okay from your pediatrician. So go ahead. Give 'em a call! ;)

Hang in there! Seems like it's always something ...

Best wishes!
J.

I think you need to take a deep breath & breathe! Calm down Mommy...I'm sure she's just at that age that she's VERY busy & it's going to get worse:-)! The lump is something to watch for but I believe that will go away too...I seriously doubt if it came from the plastic. It's sooooo many things that you've learned about since being an adult from your childhood & your still here & you turned out just fine...right? Good luck & God Bless!

Completely with you! I have been bothered by it for several years and anytime I mentioned it to anyone they laughed at me and thought I was being rediculous! Plastic is cheaper! Glass is healthier but more expensive, so what do you think they want to produce products with? Yes, the cheaper resource. I love pyrex and anchor dishes. They are glass with a tupperware lid, your food in only touching the glass. I try to avoid the microwave, but lets be honest, it is very convenient and quick. I use stainless steel pans on the stove and I use my toaster oven to reheat alot! Tastes better than a microwave!!! There are many things that we can try to avoid, we are a society or convienience and not a society of complete health savy. I admit, I resort to poptarts on those mornings where I have very little time and need to give them something quick. I will not be able to avoid everything, just avoid when we can! And plan ahead. I have to work on that!

I hope nothing is seriously wrong with your daughter! Is it bothering her? I will keep her in my prayers.

I have also heard that if there is no number on the item, it's even worse than a 3,6 or 7.

I understand your frustration! I bought all Avent bottles and ditched them shortly after using them because of hearing about this. We now use glass and are happy with that. I don't know if BPA is causing this behavior in your toddler, but we can all only do the best we can with the information we have at the time. You have switched over now and she will no longer be exposed. These bottles and sippy cups have been banned in Canada and Walmart Canada is pulling them from their shelves. They will probably just ship the product down here until the FDA speaks out :( Anyway, have you looked up phalates? That's another bad one. Products in packaging with phalates are being banned in California, but we don't hear a word about it in the midwest. Once again a prime example of why we should try to live simpler, less convenient, natural lives. Corporations don't care about our babies. I guess I needed to vent too; good luck!

Hi J.,

I don't think you are crazy. This info has been out for years. Some big stores pledged years ago when my kids were babies to stop selling the stuff that is toxic. (My kids are 7 and 9 now.) I used to sell tupperware and had a TON of very cool storage stuff. I got rid of it all except what I use to store pictures and craft supplies.

We mostly use glass and Klean Kanteens. It works out fine since we figured out replacements for plastic. Also, we use a lot of wax paper and parchment paper for food storage and lunches. We also use cloth napkins to wrap up food. They work great and are ever-reuseable. I even use dish towels to wrap up my produce sometimes. Some things actually keep better that way.

My friend is finally getting rid of her plastic because her 8 year old daughter is growing pubic hair. She is 8!!!! She still plays with dolls. She is not ready for puberty at all but her body is changing all the same. But this kid has had everything in plastic and microwaved, too.

There are lots of modern wonders that are best taken in small doses. Unfortunately, almost everything we buy comes in plastic. I don't have any idea what number all the plastic packages are because they are not marked.

Sigh... we can only do what we can do.

I'm glad you brought this up. I can tell people think I am crazy for caring about this kind of stuff. But, actually, it is much better for the environment to avoid plastic. I was appalled to watch a cafe "cook" microwave-cook eggs in a styrofoam bowl (one of the worst plastics). Yukko! I think more people should be crazy and maybe we can improve out health by forcing businesses to be more health and environmentally supportive!

L. C.

Hi J.,

I understand your concern, as mothers we want to do everything possible to protect our little ones. I am a mother of 3 ages 4, 6 and 8, I can't say much about the plastics the bottles are made from because I nursed all of mine and when they drank from bottles (rarely) I used the disposable liners. Plus this was not an issue back then, so we all used them. I really wanted to comment on the lump you feel in your daughters breast. My daughter had those lumps in both her breast when she was a baby, had me freaking out. The doctors assured me several times that it was normal and would go away, had something to do with the levell of hormones in her body. They did go away, and I was relieved.

Ok I'am with you on this I too have tossed out all my plastic's with the 3,6,7,the baby bottles I used on my kid's were Advent #7,Gereber the triangle shaped kind #7 and the Parent's Choice which didn't indicate a # on the bottom very small initials PC which is a harmful plastic.I have called Gerber about the plastic's my response was that thye do testing on every product and they haven't found anything to be harmfull however I'am watching what I buy I refuse to buy anything with the 3,6,7 on the bottom and am not reheating anything in the microwave that is plastic,I plan to buy glass storage container's in the near future.On the issue in the magazines thye are in there I have Parenting,Parent's Baby Talk,American Baby so far since the beging of the yr. there has been articles in these magazines on the plastic's that are harmful and what they can do to us.Did you know that our canned good's are sprayed with Polycarbonate inside before the food in injected into the can?Also that our product's that we use everyday are harmful why all of a sudden this is coming out I have never heard so much talk about recycling and Global warming or I just really never paid attention till I had children.But we can do somehting about it REFUSE TO BUY THESE PRODUCT"S
If there is at anytime you'd like to chat just sen me a message I'd be happy to do so.

I understand your frustration. I bought "born free" bottles when I found out I was pregnant because I did happen to know about the plastic thing. Although I still drank water out of a plastic bottle. I avoided plastic that was heated, although we don't know what happens when they are shipped. I wasn't sure about the numbers...which ones were bad or not so bad...so I bought bysephanol A free baby bottles. I only knew about the plastic because a friend had told me the year previous to my pregnancy...or at least he reminded me. I have worked in numerous health food stores and the knowledge is common around there, but when it comes to doctors etc. the education is minimal about things such as this. It is very frustrating. They also over prescribe, but that's an entirely new venting.:) I don't believe this can be in our bodies forever...I'm not sure, but the family can do a cleanse. Some chiropractors and natural doctors probably have some better advice. Maybe go to a local health food store and see what they know about cleansing from the plastic. Good luck!
p.s. "born free" makes sippy cups too! they have a website.

I think it is crazy, too. The media makes you paranoid of everything! It's funny that you brought this up because just the other day I looked on the bottom of my baby's Gerber size 1 plastic food container and it was a 7. I had been popping it in the microwave for a little bit to warm it up...oops.
I wouldn't worry about your child's behavior, because at that age they can become handfuls. You can spend your days worryins but that won't get you anywhere. I would make any changes that you want, and otherwise just enjoy your little one...they grow up fast!

How do you know if it is a number 7, what is a number 7?