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Dangers of Plastics : Effects On Your Health    By Haydn Dunn

 

Concerned parents have switched from plastic to metal water bottles to protect their kids from bisphenol A and phthalates, plastic-hardening chemicals suspected of posing health risks, which can stimulate the growth of cancer cells. the evidence is growing that petroleum-based chemicals go into the manufacture of plastics which can leach into food and drinks and possibly impact on human health

 

Leaching increases when plastic comes in contact with oily or fatty foods, during heating and from old or scratched plastic. Types of plastics shown to leach toxic chemicals are polycarbonate, PVC and styrene. This does not imply that other plastics are entirely safe. These plastics have just been studied more.

 

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical building block that is used primarily to make polycarbonate plastics, now lets expand, Bisphenol A has been found to stimulate prostate cancer cells

 

Early-life exposure to BPA can also cause genetic damage. Researchers found that BPA causes chromosomal errors at low levels of exposure in mice, which can lead to spontaneous miscarriages and birth defects. As for human data, one study found that women with a history of recurrent miscarriages had over threefold higher levels of BPA in their blood compared to women without a miscarriage history

Other effects of BPA included

The Early onset of puberty, and stimulation of mammary gland development in females

Changes in gender-specific behavior
Changes in hormones, including decreased testosterone

 Increased prostate size
 Decreased sperm production
Altered immune function
Behavioral effects including hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, impaired learning and other changes in behavior

 

 
DEHA (di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate) is one of several plasticizers (softeners) to which people have daily exposure through food, water, air and consumer products. PVC cling wrap contains DEHA, which can leach into oily foods on contact and when heated. DEHA exposure is linked to negative effects on the liver, kidney, spleen, bone formation and body weight. It is also a possible human carcinogen, affecting the liver.
 
Styrene can leach from polystyrene plastic. Styrene is toxic to the brain and nervous system, among workers with longer-term exposures, but also has been found to adversely affect red blood cells, liver, kidneys and stomach in animal studies. Aside from exposure from food containers, children can be exposed to styrene from secondhand cigarette smoke, off-gassing of building materials, auto exhaust fumes and drinking water. 

Not only does plastic have major health issues but a heavy environmental problem, you see most plastics are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Plastic packaging also creates unnecessary waste. Although plastic is lightweight, it is bulky, so it takes up a large volume of landfill space, so lets try our best to refrain from using plastics and have a healthy living

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