At these times, it's a challenge for us to forego using products made of polycarbonates. Polycarbonate products are present nearly in every container we buy or use. We drink from these containers, store food in them, and prepare food for cooking in them. In this era of plastics, it's hard to find containers that are made of glass. More and more illnesses have surfaced that can be linked to plastic use, affecting everybody, young and old. Eight year old girls having menses never actually happened during my teenage years. Today, that is not surprising considering BPA mimics the female hormone, estrogen. Scientific studies indicate that trace residues of BPA have been found in 90% of the population, a very shocking percentage.
Bisphenol was created in 1891, however, its production for profit only started in 1950. The chemical Bisphenol or BPA was leaking from some containers that's why its release to the public was delayed. The definition of Bisphenol is: a manufactured chemical commonly used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, which has been found to affect the development of animals (even in minute doses) by acting like the hormone estrogen. Moreover, various experiments conducted on animals and those in test tubes that were found to have traces of Bisphenol A had hormonal imbalances thus it was termed as "environmental hormones". Among these effects are cancer of the breast and prostate, early menstruation and modified brain structures. I find it very alarming to think that a lot of our baby bottles and feeders are made of plastic. In fact, it is considered such a dangerous chemical, the Canadian Ministry of Health is taking measures to control exposure to BPA, the first country to recognize the dangers of BPA exposure and do something about it. Hey, long was it known of all the hazards this substance brings. Dodds and Lawson in 1936 and 1938 were the first to establish estroginicity when they tested it on ovariectomized rats. They added BPA in their consumption. BPA's effect on the human level was even miscalculated as revealed in the tests.
It's purpose is to harden the plastic and provide a lightweight, clear, heat and electrical resistant, and shatter resistant container. Polycarbonates are in just about anything you can think of, from eyeglass lenses, CD's, DVD's, computers, tools, car headlights, sports safety equipment, medical devices, incubators, and reusable drink and food containers - and even the linings of beverage and food cans.
SRI Consulting printed in its Chemical Economics Handbook, released in August of 2004 its findings on the overall consumption of BPA for the year 2003, an estimated 3 million metric tons.
There are several manners in lessening your contact with the chemical substance, BPA. If at all possible, buy your foods in glass jars such as tomato/spaghetti sauce, pickles, but especially tomato because the acid in the tomatoes causes more leakage of the BPA's. Eat fruits and vegetables that are fresh or taken from the garden and stored directly in the freezer. These do not have BPA in them. Buy juices and if you drink soda, in glass bottles whenever possible. Also, for your baby's safety, use a glass bottle when feeding her/him.
I use ceramic or glass every chance I get. Remember your pets need feeding too and they have a container of their own. Try to make sure that your using a glass container or ceramic or stainless steel and not plastic. Birdbaths too are available in the market made of glass or ceramic which are very colorful by the way. It creates an attraction to various animals at the same time, they are also safe because they don't have contact with BPA containing products. Anyway, glass can be recycled. Glass is actually better than plastic, however you look at it!
Purchase a ceramic bowl for your pets. They deserve the best from you. At Best Pet Products, they've got a great deal of ceramic bowls to select from. Acquire one now.
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