For decades Americans have embraced plastic. Its popularity is reflected in this famous dialog from the 1967 movie, “The Graduate:”
“Mr. McGuire: I just want to say one word to you–just one word.
“Ben: Yes sir.
“Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?
“Ben: Yes I am.
“Mr. McGuire: ‘Plastics.’
“Ben: Exactly how do you mean?
“Mr. McGuire: There’s a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it?
“Ben: Yes I will.”
Dustin Hoffman’s character had other things on his mind beside plastics, but Mr. McGuire correctly predicted the future. Plastic containers are now used for just about everything in the supermarket, including water, milk, juice, ketchup, mustard, vinegar, soy sauce and most other products. It’s hard to find liquids that are not in plastic.
Despite its widespread utility, our love affair with plastic may be winding down. A recent report from the National Toxicology Program acknowledged that bisphenol A (BPA), an important component in many clear hard plastics, may pose health hazards.
The comprehensive review of research triggered concern that exposure to BPA might result in “neural and behavioral” effects on the rapidly developing nervous systems of babies, young children and fetuses.
Changes in prostate and breast tissue among young animals exposed to BPA, which can mimic estrogen, raises the possibility that human exposure at vulnerable ages might increase the risk of breast or prostate cancer.
After this report came out, the Canadian government announced that it would likely ban baby bottles containing BPA. In this country, consumer concern has prompted manufacturers to take it out of certain products such as Nalgene water bottles and Playtex baby bottles.
BPA is also used in the plastic coating found in many cans that hold food or beverages. Soft drinks, beer and baby formula may contain BPA that has leached out of the lining.
The plastics industry maintains that BPA levels are too low to pose a hazard. The FDA has sided with the industry but reportedly may review the data.
Consumers who would like to avoid bisphenol A should look for containers that are not polycarbonate plastic or that are labeled BPA free. Experts we have consulted tell us to avoid using any plastic containers in the microwave.
Anyone who would like to learn more about the potential hazards of plastics and how to identify and avoid BPA might wish to listen to a radio interview we did with some of the country’s leading experts on sex-hormone disruption.
BPA may not be the only problem with plastic. A whole class of chemicals called phthalates may also have estrogenic activity. Unlike BPA, which is frequently found in hard clear plastic, phthalates help make plastic flexible. This class of chemicals can be found in teethers, toys, cosmetics and many plastic containers.
Plastics are useful. But perhaps in the future we need to be more cautious about how we use them.
