Time to Tell Teflon "Ta-Ta"!

So you've heard about BPA and phthalates -- they were big news not too long ago regarding their use in toys, teethers, water bottles, baby bottles and formula cans. These chemicals' safety has been questioned, especially their effects on children.

Apparently there were attempts at damage control by the BPA industry, citing that the amounts of food or beverages sold in BPA-lined containers that you would have to consume to achieve dangerous levels was impossible. A website I found -- which I will have to explore more later and that you may find interesting -- called Mommy Mythbuster felt that the hoopla was unfounded. There is something to be said for the fact that these plastic products are not dangerous when used properly, and that BPA-lined cans help prevent spoilage and I imagine dangers like, you know, botulism.

Then a study by Yale School of Medicine researchers came out this month that shows that exposure to BPA in utero can permanently reprogram a person's genes and affect their fertility in adulthood. Pregnant mothers would be wise to add BPA to the list of things avoid unnecessary exposure to.

One of the authors of a new book, Slow Death by Rubber Duck (I bet the publishers literally leapt out of their chair to sign the authors with a great title like that!) appeared on a news program this morning explaining how he exposed himself to everyday chemicals and how the amounts in his bloodstream spiked to dangerous levels.

He didn't do anything all that unusual -- he heated his food in plastic containers in the microwave, he drank from a baby bottle, he used products with fragrances, etc -- and the levels of these chemicals in his bloodstream spiked noticeably.

It's been years since I stopped using Tupperware in the microwave -- but in those same years, I kept saying to myself, "Man, the coatings my old non-stick pans are starting to flake off -- I really should replace them."

So I won't be going on a warpath against products containing these chemicals in my home -- I'm not going to worry about sandwich bags though there are BPA-free Saran Wrap products. But there are sensible steps and guidelines. I already replaced our reusable water bottles and I found out that my Brita pitcher is already BPA-free and i suppose I'll try to look for fragrance-free products -- but I'm more so going to worry about when heat is involved. 

So no more Teflon for me: Stainless steel cookware with copper bottoms -- here I come!

Comments

[Megan]

Good thing my baby gets all his milk from a plastic free container :)