Wrapped in plastic

CEBU, Philippines - Aggressive, fearless and expedient advocacy is needed to do away with using plastics. Unless we willfully do away with plastics or look for alternatives, there’s no telling how far humanity is imperiled in a world wrapped in plastic.

For some time, websites and blogs have been posting blips warning people about the dangers of continued plastic use. When buying bottled water, we tend to believe we are spared from the bacteria of contaminated ground water. Oops ... hold it right there, you could be drinking water contaminated with plastic additives.

Whether plastics are used to store water and food, as containers for toiletries, or as additives in the manufacture of clothing, blankets, contact lenses, dentures, food preparation equipment, disposable diapers and sanitary napkins – plastics have adverse effects on human health.

But because we are too busy or held captive with things that entertain us, we skip the warning. We don’t believe advice until hurts.

Studies have proven that chemical additives in plastic such as lead, cadmium and mercury have direct toxicity and carcinogen properties that disrupt endocrine and hormone functions leading to cancers, birth defects, immune system suppression and developmental problems in children.

Scary to Swallow

What happens is that chemicals in plastics leach or migrate to the food or thing stored. It’s a pretty scary thing to swallow. But then it’s been proven. While people generally drink from bottled purified water to escape from bacteria of ground water, they end up with the toxins of plastic.

In a website called Earth Talk, it was shown that polyurethane foam used in cushions, mattresses and pillows can cause bronchitis, coughing and skin and eye problems. Acrylic used in contact lenses, dentures, sanitary napkins and disposable diapers can cause breathing difficulties, nausea, diarrhea, headache and fatigue. Tetraflouro-ethelyne on non-stick coating on cookware, ironing board covers and plumbing can irritate eyes, nose and throat.

Reusing plastic bottles or plastic containers increases contamination because chemicals used in the plastic leak and bacteria sticking in plastic migrate into the food or water for which it was reused. We have this habit of preserving leftover food in plastic containers. Because of carcinogenic properties of plastic additives, these leach or migrate into stored food. For preserving food, we could end up eating the very chemical that activates cancer cells.

The other scary thing is that reused plastic bottles or containers have the greatest potential of containing germs from food or saliva and fecal matter.

Even packaged food in plastic are contaminated with plastic chemical additives. Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical plastics are made of, interferes with the natural hormonal messaging system of the human body that can lead to infertility as well as breast, prostate and ovarian cancers. Because BPA is also used in baby bottles and sippy cups, this can disrupt children’s developing systems.

Dangers of plastics don’t end with the human body. The manufacture of plastics generates toxic emissions that aggravate global warming. When plastics are dumped in landfills, these pollute the soil.

Health advocates advice against reusing plastic bottles. Avoid using plastic, advocates caution. Instead buy food or drinks in glass or metal containers. Avoid heating food in plastic containers. Do not give children plastic teethers or toys. Use natural fiber for clothing and bedding. In all, stop being “plastik” about plastic.