Toxic Baby Bottles

                                                                                         

BPA is a known carcinogen that can leach into baby food from polycarbonate baby bottles. Continued washing using dish washing or other harsh soaps can break down plastic bottles and cause the migration of BPA into food stored in these bottles.

Polyvinyl chloride or PVC is commonly used in plastic food wrap, combined with polycarbonate from the inner lining of food cans, and baby bottles, these plastics pose a threat to baby food storage.

Pregnant women should avoid BPA derived polycarbonate bottles and refrain from eating canned foods. The plastic lining in food cans contain polycarbonate. BPA is known to mimic the behavior of DES, an artificial estrogen banned for use by pregnant and nursing mothers.

Since most plastic is made using BPA and the labels do not normally indicate the use of this toxin, it is important look at the bottom of the plastic container or baby bottle and check the SPI code in or around the recycling triangle. It is also important to note that SPI labeling requirements vary between states in the USA.

The letter code PET or PETA represents polyethylene terephthalate and is also identified by the number 1 inside the recycle triangle. This type of plastic is said to be safer than PVC or polycarbonate. The code HDPE is represented by the number 2 inside the recycle triangle. High Density polyethylene (HDPE) is used primarily in toy manufacture and other food containers or plastic bags.

The third plastic is called PVC and we know this to be commonly used in PVC pipes, but it can also be found in plastic food wraps, so look for the number three in the recycling triangle. Low Density Polyethylene is commonly known as LDPE and is plastic number 4, there are no known hazards as in BPA derived plastics, one reason why it is used in plastic food packages and soft sport bottles.

Polypropylene abbreviated PP and identified by the number 5 is less toxic than most other plastics. Plastic number 5 is used to package foods like butter, margarine and yogurt. Plastic number "6" is polystyrene. Next time you pick up a non-paper egg carton, check the recycle triangle to see if it is also labeled with the letters "PS"

With the advent of new resin combinations, the SPI code included the number 7 designated as OTHER to differentiate these plastics from SPI codes 1 - 6. Many plastics were clumped under SPI code 7 including BPA derived polycarbonates and natural non-hazardous plastics.

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