Serving Size: 4.82 MB Servings Per Container: 1 In Your Body On Your Body For Your Home For Your Family Seeking Medical Treatment How to Detoxify Your Body Guide to Symptoms A Healthy House Values, Vision & Mission Background & History Staff & Advisors News & Upcoming Events Join Our Mailing List Contact Us Recommended Resources Index of Terms Works Cited This product contains 100% natural ingredients. Easy Pay Pal Donations TNTP Grade A Brain-food More Special Features Home Decor  |  Home Furnishings  |  Household Cleaners  |  Kitchenware  |  Lawn & Garden  |  Plastic Page: 1 | 2 | 3 Next Everything you've ever wanted to know about what those mysterious numbers and letters are all about on everything that's plastic. For a list of suggested businesses to purchase more natural products from, visit our Recommended Resources page. Plastic #1 PETE (Polyethylene Terepthalate) USE & CHEMICALS CONTAINED: Clear plastic used to make most beverage bottles (water, juice, soda, etc), oven-ready meal trays, and other products. Recent studies have shown that aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde) migrate from PETE to bottled water in substantial amounts. HEALTH CONCERNS: PETE is one of the safer types of plastic, from our current knowledge, but its use still carries some concerns. The IARC (International Agency for Cancer Research) ranks aldehydes as a possible human carcinogen. TIPS & ALTERNATIVES: Although The World Health Organization lists acetaldehyde as having “no safety concerns” at current levels of average daily intake (from food additives) the question is, how much is too much – how much do we take in from all sources? What might be the long term effects of exposure to these chemicals at the levels that are considered acceptable? No one knows, so its best to exercise precaution: Use glass, ceramic, or metal containers for beverages as much as possible Do not re-use beverage bottles Remove ready-made meals from their plastic tray and heat them on the stove or in a toaster oven, rather than in the microwave Plastic #2 HDPE (High-density Polyethylene) USE & CHEMICALS CONTAINED: Used widely in: jugs for milk and juice, in some containers for liquid detergents and other products, in some bottles for water and other beverages, in some water travel bottles (translucent ones). Nonylphenol, a chemical used as a plasticizer and antioxidant in some plastics, has been observed to leach from HDPE bottles into water and a milk simulant. HEALTH CONCERNS: Nonylphenol and many related chemicals have demonstrated estrogenic properties in animals and laboratory studies. The EPA classifies nonylphenol and related chemicals as having estrogenic activity. Hormone-responsive cancers (breast, prostate, etc.) have been found to grow and multiply when exposed to nonylphenol. TIPS & ALTERNATIVES: Purchase milk and juice that come in waxed cartons. Many detergents, shampoos, etc. can be bought in bulk at natural food stores and then stored in glass containers. Use stainless steel water bottles (glass bottles and jars can also be used). Plastic #3 PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride; Vinyl) USE & CHEMICALS CONTAINED: Used in many consumer products, including: Food trays Plastic food-wrapping films Some beverage bottles Shower curtains Toys and other hard and soft plastic products for children, including teethers and rattles The chemical building block used to make PVC: Vinyl Chloride Monomer The plastic additive: Bisphenol A (BPA) One type of plasticizer: a group of chemicals called Phthalates HEALTH CONCERNS: Vinyl Chloride Monomer, has demonstrated toxic properties and is linked to respiratory problems, reproductive problems, and cancer from occupational exposure from the processing of PVC. It is also a known human carcinogen. Bisphenol A (BPA), which has well-documented estrogenic properties, has also been demonstrated to leach from PVC food packaging film. The levels of BPA observed to leach from PVC film were lower than regulatory limits, but still considered significant. Plastic made from PVC is hard and brittle. To soften PVC plastic and make it more flexible, various types of plasticizers may be added. These plasticizers have been demonstrated to leach from the plastic into foods, liquids, saliva, and even air and water that comes in contact with it. Phthalates specifically have been linked to health concerns including asthma and impaired respiratory function, endocrine-disrupting, hormonal, and reproductive effects, and possibly cancer. TIPS & ALTERNATIVES: Consider substituting wooden or natural rubber toys for those made with PVC. Use glass bottles instead of water for beverages, and buy bottled drinks in glass containers. Purchase plastic shower curtains and liners made from nylon and polyester, both less toxic than vinyl. Purchase shower curtains and liners that are made of hemp (naturally mildew-resistant and very durable), linen, or cotton. Page: 1 | 2 | 3 Next