How to Avoid BPA

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a known endocrine disruptor, meaning that it mimics the effects of hormones in the body. Even handling the containers may allow these chemicals to enter your body. BPA is responsible for many gender-linked mutations. Unfortunately, it is part of many products for use in the home, but the good news is that eliminating BPA is very easy. All you need is a light source, and perhaps a magnifying glass. So gather up all your plastic containers and make sure your household is safe from this potentially dangerous chemical.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic containers, bottles, etc.
• Light source or magnifying glass

1. Hold the plastic container up to the light.

2. 

   Look for the recycling symbol. Inside the triangle will be a number. 1 is considered safe for one use. If the number is 3, 6 or 7, dispose of the container in an approved recycling bin if possible.

3. Make a list of acidic products you buy, like canned tomatoes. Avoid the kinds that come with plastic liners (most store brands do not have plastic liners). Many of these plastic liners contain BPA.

4. If you have a SIGG bottle manufactured before August, 2007, it has BPA in the liner. SIGG will replace the bottle if you pay to return it to them, but REI or Whole Foods will replace it for you and send the old bottle back to SIGG.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use infant formula, buy the powdered kind and mix it yourself. Canned formula often has plastic liners and the liners contain BPA.
• Pregnant women should avoid BPA at all costs.

[computertech4u]

on 10/8/2009 Great article on How to Avoid BPA! 5*/rec! I still know people that microwave plastic!! Thanks for the great tips on How to Avoid BPA, I will keep an eye on those numbers!