As an end to Earth week I wanted to share one last thing with you regarding plastic wrap.
Here are some ways to reduce the risk of being exposed to chemicals like BPA.
- Harmful Chemicals- Plastic food storage containers are filled with more than just food, they’re full of harmful chemicals. Plastics are made out of refined crude oil and contain chemicals such as BPA (Bisphenol-A) that function mainly as plasticizers, making plastic more durable and flexible. While this makes plastic very practical for everyday use, it also adds a significant health risk, especially whenever it comes in contact with food. When plastic is used to store or heat a dish, chemicals from the container can leach into the food.
- Plastic Health Risks for Women- The chemicals in BPA in particular act similarly to estrogen and, in the long run, can possibly interfere with women’s hormonal balance.
- Plastic Health Risk for Children- The World Health Organization has shown that exposure to high concentrations of Phthalates and BPA during pregnancy can lead to the child experiencing lung problems or being more likely to develop asthma later in life. In children the high exposure to these chemicals has been linked to increased insulin resistance and elevated blood pressure.
- Plastic Health Risk for Men- Although negative effects have been shown to primarily affect women and children, men are not immune to them. According to the same study, men’s risk of prostate cancer can increase significantly if they are often in contact with these chemicals. And similarly as in women, their reproductive abilities can be compromised.
Here are some ways to reduce the risk of being exposed to chemicals like BPA.
- Never heat or microwave your food in a plastic container.
- Use natural products for food storage.
- Use non-toxic and eco-friendly products.
- Try switching out any plastic food containers with glass containers or a natural alternative to plastic wrap, like SuperBee beeswax wraps.
- Glass or ceramic containers are always safe and can be cleaned easily.
Our family has been doing the plastic switch since I started reading the book Green Enough by Leah Segedie. If you haven't started your transition into alternative living with all toxic things that surround us I suggest you buy this book.
In my home I have thrown out all plastic containers including cute plastic water bottles (I replaced them with Hydro Flask) Plastic baggies with bees wraps, I use Bees Wrap and Abeego they both are made from beeswax, organic cotton, jojoba oil and tree resin.
In my home I have thrown out all plastic containers including cute plastic water bottles (I replaced them with Hydro Flask) Plastic baggies with bees wraps, I use Bees Wrap and Abeego they both are made from beeswax, organic cotton, jojoba oil and tree resin.
If plastic food-storage wrap is your sustainability Achilles’ heel, then check out these new brands crafting reusable food wrap from beeswax-coated cotton fabric. Read more about it HERE. So let's come together and help do our part for our family and for Mother Earth. Let's wrap up this beautiful Earth week by making one positive change this year. Our earth and our whole family will benefit from it all.