GEM #9: Consider Plastic Surgery

Surgical excision, that is.  My first post in this series was about using leftover glass jars to store food.  Although we've done quite well shifting over to an almost all glass cupboard, we were still using plastic Tupperware and such to store and reheat leftovers.  Even since October, there has been more information coming out about the risk of BPA (bisphenol-A), which is a component of many plastics and should be assumed to be present in any plastic item that doesn't clearly state "BPA-free" (a cynic might suspect these items, too).  Annual production of BPA, by the way, is a whopping 2 millions tons!  And in the United States of Plasticland, each person goes through about 6 pounds per year. 

The latest study on the issue, published just last week by Meltzer et al. (PDF) is a analysis of a cohort from the NHANES national study.  By analyzing the BPA content of the patients' urine, the investigators showed that those with the highest BPA levels had a significantly higher risk of heart disease.  While studies based on survey data (which NHANES is) are never quite as good as randomized controlled trials, the mounting evidence against BPA seems clearer by the day.

So what can one do to reduce exposure to BPA?  Here are three suggestions:

1. Replace plastic storage containers with glass.  We just bought TrueSeal containers by Anchor, which are microwave and oven-safe glass with a rubbery (BPA-free) top that provides the seal that makes Tupperware so attractive.  There are a few other similar brands on the market.

2. Replace plastic cups, bowls, etc.  While these are unlikely to leach BPA at low temperatures, hot liquids, abrasion, and microwaving are probably all problematic.  Why not just stick with glass?

3. Don't put plastics in the dishwaher.  Despite the "dishwaher-safe" statements, one of the ways to leach BPA is through harsh abrasives such as dishwasher detergent.  Build some arm muscle!

4. Avoid canned goods.  The majority of cans, including beverage cans, are lined with BPA.  This may be changing, for example Japan has already changed to another type of plastic.  Until such a change happens here you could and should minimize your canned food intake.  Another reason not to have soda, salty soups, etc.

5. Minimize your contact time with receipts.  Receipts?  Yes, credit card receipts have very high levels of BPA (especially the "carbon free" variety) and it can be absorbed through the skin.

References:
1. Wikipedia
2. Image from Flickr Creative Commons