As the summer approaches and the temperature goes up to the 90s and 100s, things get heated up quickly in our cars. It is time to take out that pack of water bottles out of the trunk of your car. The recent news of BPA (bisphenol A) in plastic products being a hormone disrupter has pushed manufacturers to eliminate BPA from their products. Now almost all plastic containers on the shelves are labeled “BPA free”. However, BPA is not the only chemical to worry about. It has been known that plastics contain numerous endocrine disrupting compounds, such as phthalates, and it’s very likely that researchers have not yet identified all of them. When heated up, those harmful compounds in the plastic container leach into your food and water more easily. Here are a few simple ways to avoid getting toxins from plastics:
- Switch to glass or stainless steel water bottles.
- If you have to use plastic bottles, keep them in a cool place, such as a cooler.
- Never put hot food or drinks in a plastic bottle or container.
- Don’t use plastics, such as wraps, bags, or container in the microwave. Transfer food or drinks to a glass or ceramic container before heating them up in the microwave. Please note that styrofoams are not any better than plastics.