heated, leaching is more likely. Alternative: Use stainless steel or glass containers that can be frozen and heated without worry.
Plastic water and soda bottles. Flimsy plastic beverage bottles (bear- ing a number 1 recycling symbol) are made with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a petroleum-based plastic that can leach antimony, a metal linked to lung disease, heart problems and stomach ulcers at high concentrations; and phthalates, a common plasticizer associated with male genital deformi- ties, low sperm counts, early puberty, susceptibility to allergens and autism. Hot conditions (such as the inside of a car) increase the leaching potential, as can reuse.
Alternative: Invest in a few stain- less steel reusable water bottles.
Plastic sandwich bags. Most plastic
sandwich bags are made from low- density polyethylene (LDPE), indicated by resin code 4. Although not known to leach chemicals (it’s still wise to avoid microwaving them, however), they con- tribute to the massive quantity of plastic waste produced each year. Alternatives: Many reusable cloth
lunch bags plus glass, bamboo and stain- less steel snack containers are available.
Clear food packaging, plastic squeeze bottles and peanut butter containers. Many pre-wrapped items in the deli or produce section, as well as condiment squeeze bottles and peanut butter containers bearing a number 3 code, are made with polyvinyl chlo- ride or PVC, one of the most danger- ous plastics. During the production
of PVC, harmful chemicals like lead, dioxins and vinyl chloride are released that have been tied to health outcomes ranging from learning and behavioral problems to cancer and birth defects. Fatty foods such as cheeses and meats wrapped in number 3 plastics are par- ticularly prone to leaching phthalates. Alternatives: Opt for food that’s not
wrapped in plastic, such as meat from a butcher or deli counter, rather than pre- packaged in the refrigerated bin. Also consider switching to condiments and peanut butters packaged in glass.
Styrofoam takeout containers.
Polystyrene foam is technically a number 6 plastic. It’s common in to-go containers and egg cartons, and the sty- rene that can leach out is tied to many health impacts, including neurologi- cal damage and harm to the liver and kidneys. Further, styrene is known to build up in body fat, increasing its toxic potential over time. Alternatives: Shop at natural gro- cery stores and places where customers can bring their own containers. With egg cartons, opt for cardboard, prefer- ably made from recycled material.
Brita Belli is the editor of E-The Environ- mental Magazine.
Find green home kitchenware at Natural Awakenings’ online store,
NAWebstore.com.
Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
epa.gov; United Nations Envi- ronment Programme,
unep.org; Healthy Child Healthy World,
HealthyChild.org; Our Stolen Future,
OurStolenFuture.org.
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natural awakenings Resource Directory 2012 21
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