Plastic is in our lives more than ever before. It is involved with all of our food, from the way it’s prepared to the containers we store our leftovers in. With the increase in awareness of what kind of things we are putting into our bodies, we are missing one important factor. Though we rely on packaging to protect our food, could it be possible that the packaging is the very thing we should be worried about? This is where Bioplastics come in.
Many plastic products contain harmful chemicals that find their way into our body by a process called leaching. Leaching is a transfer or leaking of chemicals from the plastic to the foods or beverages it contains. Some of the chemicals found in plastic include polycarbonate, which leaches bisphenol A; polystyrene, which leaches styrene; and polyvinyl chloride, which breaks down into vinyl chloride.
We come in contact with these harmful plastics in a variety of ways:
- Can and carton lining
- Beverage containers, cups, and straws
- Disposable dishware and utensils
- Food packaging
- Food storage containers
Health Concerns
The constant exposure to plastic can be harmful, especially with the chemical BPA. This chemical is an endocrine disruptor that can interfere with the endocrine (or hormone) system. It derails your hormone system and can cause severe health problems. Here are a few main problems that can occur with a high level of BPA:
- Obesity
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Oxidative stress
With the large amount of plastic that we come in contact with, what can you do to prevent the constant exposure to BPA? There are a few simple things you can do to lower the amount of BPA that makes it into your system. One way is to avoid heating up any plastic wear. The amount of chemicals transferred increases when the plastic is heated up. So when looking to warm up some leftovers, take them out of the plastic container. You can also avoid using plastic whenever possible. Consider finding other, more healthy ways to store your food.
But does this mean that you should get rid of plastic all together? Of course not. Plastic has always been a great idea, from disposable dishware to easy containers, plastic has always been helpful, but we can choose the type of plastic we use. There is a healthier alternative than the plastic made with harmful chemicals. Bioplastics are the perfect solution, because they offer a non-toxic way for you to enjoy plastic. Made from organic materials, bioplastics are absent of the harmful chemicals found in other plastics. You can use bioplastics for all of the same things without the concern that it will affect your health. You can stay healthy and still use the plastic that you love by replacing it with bioplastics.