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Plastic Containers

What To Look For

Plastic is the most widely used material in the United States, and it crops up in everything from toys to clothes to food containers. But not all plastics are created equal, particularly in regards to food storage: Some plastics can transmit chemicals into your food, while others are perfectly safe.

Before you know which type of plastic container to buy the next time you hit the store, you first need to know how to tell them apart. Plastics are typically classified by a number from #1 to #7, each number representing a different type of resin. That number is usually imprinted on the bottom of your container; flip it upside down, and you’ll see a recycling triangle with the number in the middle.

Here’s a quick breakdown of plastic resin types:

#1 polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)
Product examples: Disposable soft drink and water bottles, cough-syrup bottles

#2 high density polyethylene (HDPE)/
Product examples: Milk jugs, toys, liquid detergent bottles, shampoo bottles

#3 polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC)
Product examples: Meat wrap, cooking oil bottles, plumbing pipes

#4 low density polyethylene (LDPE)
Product examples: Cling wrap, grocery bags, sandwich bags

#5 polypropylene (PP)
Product examples: Syrup bottles, yogurt cups/tubs, diapers

#6 polystyrene (PS)
Product examples: Disposable coffee cups, clam-shell take-out containers

#7 other (misc.; usually polycarbonate, or PC, but also polylactide, or PLA, plastics made from renewable resources)
Product examples: Baby bottles, some reusable water bottles, stain-resistant food-storage containers, medical storage containers

Now that you know what each of the numbers represents, here are the kinds you should look for at the store:

Safer Plastics

#2HDPE, #4LDPE and #5PP

These three types of plastic are the healthiest. They transmit no known chemicals into your food and they’re generally recyclable; #2 is very commonly accepted by municipal recycling programs, but you may have a more difficult time finding someone to recycle your #4 and #5 containers.

#1 PET

#1 bottles and containers are fine for single use and are widely accepted by municipal recyclers. You won’t find many reusable containers made from #1, but they do exist. It’s also best to avoid reusing #1 plastic bottles; water and soda bottles in particular are hard to clean, and because plastic is porous, these bottles absorb flavors and bacteria that you can’t get rid of.

PLA

PLA (polylactide) plastics are made from renewable resources such as corn, potatoes and sugar cane and anything else with a high starch content. The starch is converted into polylactide acid (PLA). Although you can’t recycle these plant-based plastics, you can compost them in a municipal composter or in your backyard compost heap. Most decompose in about twelve days unlike conventional plastic, which can take up to 100 years.

Plastics to Avoid

#3 PVC

#3 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is often used frequently in cling wraps for meat. However, PVC contains softeners called phthalates that interfere with hormonal development, and its manufacture and incineration release dioxin, a potent carcinogen and hormone disruptor. Vinyl chloride, the primary building block of PVC, is a known human carcinogen that also poses a threat to workers during manufacture.

#6 PS

Extruded polystyrene (#6 PS; commonly known as Styrofoam) is used in take-out containers and cups, and non-extruded PS is used in clear disposable takeout containers, disposable plastic cutlery and cups. Both forms of PS can leach styrene into food; styrene is considered a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It may also disrupt hormones or affect reproduction.

#7 PC

#7 Polycarbonate (PC) is found in baby bottles, 5-gallon water bottles, water-cooler bottles and the epoxy linings of tin food cans. PC is composed of a hormone-disrupting chemical called bisphenol A, which has been linked to a wide variety of problems such as cancer and obesity.

Read more about the problems with #3, #6 and #7 plastics in The Backstory.

Safe Use Tips

-When purchasing cling-wrapped food from the supermarket or deli, slice off a thin layer where the food came into contact with the plastic and store the rest in a glass or ceramic container or wrap it in non-PVC cling wrap (see Product Comparisons).

-Avoid storing fatty foods, such as meat and cheese, in plastic containers or plastic wrap.

-Hand-wash reusable containers gently with a nonabrasive soap; dishwashers and harsh detergents can scratch plastic, making hospitable homes for bacteria.

Microwaves

-A “microwave-safe” or “microwavable” label on a plastic container only means that it shouldn’t melt, crack or fall apart when used in the microwave. The label is no guarantee that containers don’t leach chemicals into foods when heated.

-It’s best to remove food from plastic containers or wraps and instead microwave the food in glass or ceramic containers.

-The FDA advises placing microwave-safe plastic wrap loosely over food so that the steam can escape. Plastic wrap should not directly touch your food.

-The USDA warns on its website against microwaving in single-use containers not intended for cooking, such as takeout platters or margarine tubs.

-Never use plastic storage bags, grocery bags, newspapers or aluminum foil in the microwave.

Reducing Your Use of Plastic

We could all do with a little less plastic in our lives, no matter the type of resin. All plastics are made from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource, and produced under extremely energy-intensive conditions, so here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping:

-Always opt for plastic containers that are accepted for recycling in your area.

-Avoid single-use, non-recyclable disposable packaging, such as Styrofoam meat trays, and clam-shell containers.

-Buy food in glass or metal containers

-Bring your own containers to restaurants, if you suspect you might have leftovers.

-If you do get takeout you’ll be eating at home, don’t take plastic cutlery or condiment packets.

-Avoid plastic cooking tools; use stainless steel or wooden utensils instead.

-Replace your plastic cutting boards with wood. You can spray wooden boards with a mist of vinegar, then with a mix of hydrogen peroxide, to kill bacteria.

-Take your plastic grocery bags to a local Wal-Mart or Whole Foods to be recycled.

The Extra Step:

Write a letter to manufacturers of foods and drinks packaged in unsafe #3, #6 or #7 plastics, and tell them you want products packaged in safe, reusable glass, metal or recycled plastic. You can find a mailing address on their products, by calling their toll-free question/comment line or on their website. And don’t stop at the grocery store. Call the owners of your favorite coffee shop, restaurant or cafe and ask them to improve their policies for reusable containers. Some food-service joints fear reprimands from the local Health Department by allowing customers to use their own containers for takeout or for coffee. Find out your health department’s stance on the issue and encourage restaurants to be more lenient in their policies.

Product Comparisons

Below is a table of plastic containers made from safer #2, #4 and #5 plastics organized by intended purpose (column 3). To learn why these plastics are better see What To Look For.

Bisphenol A-free baby bottles and children’s dishes are now in our Baby Bottles Buying Guide.

Name	TYPE OF PLASTIC	PURPOSE	MSRP	Purchasing Information	Reader Rating
Glad Freezer Bags	#4 LDPE	Bags	$2.29	store.drsoda.com	Avg. Rating
Glad Sandwich Bags	#4 LDPE	Bags	$2.29	store.drsoda.com	Avg. Rating
Hefty Baggies	#4 LDPE	Bags	$6.95-$12.95	www.shophometrends.com, 888-815-0814	Avg. Rating
Hefty OneZip Slider Bags (Gallon Size)	#4 LDPE	Bags	$2.99	www.walgreens.com	Avg. Rating
Ziploc Freezer Bags	#4 LDPE	Bags	$4.39/30	www.drugstore.com	Avg. Rating
Ziploc Sandwich Bags	#4 LDPE	Bags	$3.29/100	www.drugstore.com	Avg. Rating
Glad Cling Wrap	#4 LDPE	Cling Wrap	$2.99	www.walgreens.com	Avg. Rating
Glad Press’n Seal Sealing Wrap	#4 LDPE	Cling Wrap	$5.99	www.drugstore.com	Avg. Rating
Saran Cling Plus	#4 LDPE	Cling Wrap	$2.69	www.drugstore.com	Avg. Rating
Ziploc Containers (all)	#5 PP	Cooking/Baking	$3.29-$3.53	www.drugstore.com	Avg. Rating
Arrow Colored Measuring Cups	#5 PP	Cooking/Baking	$3.29/5-pc. set	www.amazon.com	Avg. Rating
Farberware 9-cup Marinade Dishes	#5 PP	Cooking/Baking	$5.99	www.fryeintl.com, 866-573-3793	Avg. Rating
OXO Folding Cutting Boards	#5 PP	Cooking/Baking	$14.99	www.oxo.com, 800-545-4411	Avg. Rating
Tupperware Double Colanders	#5 PP	Cooking/Baking	$20	www.tupperware.com, 800-366-3800	Avg. Rating
Tupperware Measuring Cups and Spoons	#5 PP	Cooking/Baking	$12.50-$15.50	www.tupperware.com, 800-366-3800	Avg. Rating
Impact Stackrack Jug 5 Gal.	#2 HDPE	Drinks	$2.99	www.walgreens.com	Avg. Rating
Nalgene 16-oz. HDPE Loop-Top Bottles	#2 HDPE	Drinks	$4.53	www.nalgene-outdoor.com, 800-625-4327	Avg. Rating
Nat-UR Harvest Collection Cups	PLA	Drinks	$24/50	www.nat-urstore.com	Avg. Rating
Playtex Spill-Proof Cups (lids #2)	#5 PP	Drinks	$6.99	www.drugstore.com	Avg. Rating
Playtex Straw Cups	#2 HDPE	Drinks	$4.85	www.playtexstore.com, 800-249-0832	Avg. Rating
Rubbermaid 2-qt. Servin’ Saver Mixing Pitcher	#5 PP	Drinks	$5.99	www.amazon.com	Avg. Rating
Rubbermaid 3-gal Insulated Beverage Containers and Dispensers	#2 HDPE	Drinks	$28.95	www.akitchen.com, 888-388-9641	Avg. Rating
Rubbermaid 8.5 oz Litterless Juice Boxes	#5 PP	Drinks	$2.99	www.containerstore.com, 888-CONTAIN	Avg. Rating
Rubbermaid Chug Sport Bottles	#5 PP	Drinks	$4.20	www.amazon.com	Avg. Rating
Rubbermaid Gallon Covered Pitchers	#5 PP	Drinks	$5.29	www.amazon.com	Avg. Rating
Rubbermaid Sipper Seal	#5 PP	Drinks	$5.99	www.amazon.com	Avg. Rating
Rubbermaid Sippin’ Sport Bottles	#5 PP	Drinks	$5.49	www.amazon.com	Avg. Rating
Soma Fabrications 22-oz Water Bottles	#5 PP	Drinks	$7.99	www.somafab.com	Avg. Rating
Sterilite Plastic Tumbler	#5 PP	Drinks	$0.50	www.amazon.com	Avg. Rating
Sterilite Ultraseal Pitchers	#5 PP	Drinks	$2.21-$3.99	www.amazon.com	Avg. Rating
Tupperware Mickey Ice Tups Set	#2 HDPE	Drinks	$19.50	www.tupperware.com, 800-366-3800	Avg. Rating
Carlisle Store ‘N Pour Gallon	#2 HDPE	Food Storage	$5.60	www.carlislefsp.com	Avg. Rating
Farberware 10-piece Mini-Fridge Kits	#5 PP	Food Storage	$17.99	www.fryeintl.com, 866-573-3793	Avg. Rating
Farberware 23-piece Azure Blue Sets	#5 PP	Food Storage	$19.99	www.fryeintl.com, 866-573-3793	Avg. Rating
GladWare Containers and Lids (all sizes)	#5 PP	Food Storage	$3.49-$5.59	www.drugstore.com	Avg. Rating
Plastic Hinged Locking-Lid Containers	PLA	Food Storage	$8.50/50	www.greenearthofficesupply.com, 800-327-8449	Avg. Rating
Rubbermaid (all food storage containers)	#5 PP	Food Storage	$5.99-$10.99	www.drugstore.com	Avg. Rating
Sterilite 8 Piece Covered Bowl Set	#5 PP	Food Storage	$6.29	www.amazon.com	Avg. Rating
The Container Store Rectangular Klip-It Food Storage	#5 PP	Food Storage	$2.49-$12.99	www.containerstore.com, 888-CONTAIN	Avg. Rating
The Container Store Smart Flap Food Storage Rectangles	#5 PP	Food Storage	$4.49-$4.99	www.containerstore.com, 888-CONTAIN	Avg. Rating
The Container Store Tellfresh Oblong Food Storage	#5 PP	Food Storage	$1.99-$5.49	www.containerstore.com, 888-CONTAIN	Avg. Rating
The Container Store Tellfresh Screw-Top Food Storage	#5 PP	Food Storage	$2.49-$3.49	www.containerstore.com, 888-CONTAIN	Avg. Rating
The Container Store Tellfresh Snack Box	#5 PP	Food Storage	$5.99	www.containerstore.com, 888-CONTAIN	Avg. Rating
Tupperware Bowls (all)	#5 PP	Food Storage	–	www.tupperware.com, 800-366-3800	Avg. Rating
Tupperware Fridge Stackables Sets	#5 PP	Food Storage	$17	www.tupperware.com, 800-366-3800	Avg. Rating
Tupperware FridgeSmart Containers	#2 HDPE	Food Storage	$12-$26	www.tupperware.com, 800-366-3800	Avg. Rating
Tupperware Modular Mates	#5 PP	Food Storage	$9.00	www.tupperware.com, 800-366-3800	Avg. Rating
Tupperware One Touch Reminder Canister	#5 PP	Food Storage	$39.50/4	www.tupperware.com, 800-366-3800	Avg. Rating
Tupperware Prep Essentials Cold Cut Keepers	#5 PP	Food Storage	$23	www.tupperware.com, 800-366-3800	Avg. Rating
Tupperware Quick Shake Containers	#5 PP	Food Storage	$11	www.tupperware.com, 800-366-3800	Avg. Rating
Tupperware Spin ’N Save Salad Spinners	#5 PP	Food Storage	$42	www.tupperware.com, 800-366-3800	Avg. Rating

The Backstory

While plastic food wraps and containers play an important role in protecting us against the dangers of foodborne illnesses, recent studies show that when certain plastics come into contact with foods, some questionable chemicals migrate from the packaging to the foods they contain. In addition, because of the chemicals used during the manufacturing process, plastic poses threats to our environment and to the health of the workers who produce it.

Environmental Issues

Pollution

Considering that plastics are made from non-renewable petroleum and natural gas, it’s not surprising to know that plastic manufacturing is a major source of industrial pollution. Producing a 16-oz. #1 PET bottle, for instance, generates more than 100 times the toxic emissions to air and water than making the same size bottle out of glass.

The Berkeley Plastics Task Force stated in a 1996 report that the plastic industry contributed 14 percent of the most toxic industrial releases–including styrene, benzene and trichloroethane–into the air. Other major emissions from plastic production processes include sulfur oxides and nitrous oxides (both of which contribute to global warming), methanol, ethylene oxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Plastics Are Forever

When the plastics we throw away escape from garbage trucks or landfills, they get blown into trees and waterways where they’re eaten by animals that mistake them for food. In the North Pacific, a floating island of plastic waste the size of Texas has accumulated, doubling in size over the past six years. Some estimates place the load of plastic floating in that area, killing both birds and aquatic life, at 3 million tons.

The matter is further complicated by the fact that nothing in nature, not even sunlight and oxygen, can break apart the bonds that hold plastic together, so they linger on our planet indefinitely. Rather than biodegrading, plastic photodegrades into dust, winding up in soil and in the air. In bodies of water, the plastic particles become a kind of toxic sponge, absorbing other harmful chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the pesticide DDT. Those particles then get eaten by fish, which wind up back on our dinner plates.

Recycling

Despite the problems with plastic, virtually all types can be recycled and used a few times before losing integrity (when the material has become too weak to recycle any more). However, confusing municipal recycling laws and limited access to recyclers who accept all types of plastic have kept recycling rates low and the amount of plastic waste in landfills high–and getting higher. In 2006, a mere 6.9 percent of plastic garbage we generated was recycled.

On a positive note, more stores are beginning to accept plastic bags for recycling, and other companies are offering to take back used plastic products. For instance, Styrofoam packing peanuts can be taken to any UPS store for reuse, and Stonyfield Farm accepts all its #5 PP yogurt cups and tubs back, reselling them to Preserve, a company that manufactures toothbrushes and reusable plastic dishes from the discarded cups.

Personal Health Issues

Dioxins

Dioxins, which are highly toxic even at low doses, are produced when #3 PVC plastics are manufactured and incinerated. The EPA estimates that the average American’s risk of contracting cancer from dioxin exposure may be as high as one in 1,000–1,000 times higher than the government’s current “acceptable” standard of one in a million. Dioxins are also endocrine disruptors, substances that can interfere with the body’s natural hormone signals, and they can damage the immune system and may affect reproduction and childhood development. Furthermore, dioxins build up in animal fat, and we may be exposed to them when drinking fatty meats, whole milk or full-fat yogurt.

Phthalates

Most cling-wrapped meats, cheeses and other foods sold in delis and grocery stores are wrapped in PVC. To soften #3 PVC plastic into its flexible form, manufacturers add “plasticizers” during production. Traces of these chemicals, known as adipates and phthalates, can leak out of PVC when it comes in contact with foods, especially hot, fatty foods. Adipates and phthalates have been shown to cause birth defects and damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive systems in mice.

One phthalate, di-2-ehtylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, according to a 2000 National Institutes of Health (NIH) report. Phthalates are also suspected of interfering with hormones and the reproductive development of baby boys.

Bisphenol A

Many #7 polycarbonate bottles (including baby bottles), microwave ovenware, eating utensils and plastic coatings for metal cans are made with bisphenol A (BPA). Many studies have found that BPA interferes with hormones, as phthalates do, and a March 1998 study in Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) found that BPA simulates the action of estrogen when tested in human breast cancer cells.

A growing number of scientists are concluding, from animal tests, that exposure to BPA in the womb raises the risk of certain cancers, hampers fertility and could contribute to childhood behavioral problems such as hyperactivity. A January 2006 EHP study on mice indicated that BPA alters the function of mouse pancreatic cells, which produce insulin, suggesting that the chemical may enhance the risk of developing Type II diabetes. Finally, an early 2007 study on BPA in rats found that it led to increased growth, suggesting that the chemical might trigger obesity.

Antimony

Not as dire a concern as BPA or phthalates, the heavy metal antimony has been found to leach out of #1 PET plastic water bottles that have been sitting on a shelf for long periods of time. High levels of antimony can cause vomiting and diarrhea, but the amount in water from a PET bottle will likely be low enough to not cause such effects. However, it’s still a good idea to not reuse #1 PET bottles to avoid any potential antimony exposure.

Related Articles

From the Green Guide:

“How to Handle Vinyl,” www.thegreenguide.com/doc/121/vinyl

“How Safe are the New Green Plastics?” www.thegreenguide.com/doc/100/plasticsja

“Plastics Graduate to Green,” www.thegreenguide.com/doc/114/pla

From Outside Sources:

Abraham, Kera. “Drowning in Plastic: Every bit of plastic ever made is still with us–and it’s wreaking havoc on the ocean,” Monterey County Weekly, June 14, 2007. www.montereycountyweekly.com.

Ecology Center, “1996 Report of the Berkeley Plastics Task Force,” www.ecologycenter.org.

“Food for Thought: What’s Coming Out of Baby’s Bottle?”, Science News, www.sciencenews.org.

Our Stolen Future,”New Science: Uses of Bisphenol A,” www.ourstolenfuture.org.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Plastics and the Microwave,” FDA Consumer, November/December 2002, www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fdacplas.html.

One of my past e-mails that’s worthy of being printed again, especially for those who missed it the first time… 

Practice the info below and spread the word to friends and family:

EAT ORGANIC

–for each 1 percent increase in organic food consumption in the U.S. alone, pesticide and herbicide use is reduced by OVER 10 MILLION POUNDS PER YEAR.  Organic food also tastes better and is FAR healthier than conventional food. 

www.naturespath.com for baked goods

www.organicvalley.com for dairy

www.freerangechicken.com for poultry

www.eggland.com for eggs

www.realfoodsmarket.com for red meat

www.ecofish.com for fish

www.applegatefarms.com for deli meat

www.ebfarm.com for veggies

www.cfarm.com for frozen fruits/veggies

www.wholefoodsmarket.com

www.traderjoes.com

Of course, you should all go to http://www.georgiaorganics.org/ to find CSA’s, organic grocerystores, organic restaurants, etc.  The above links are just a few of the many possibilities for finding organic foods.  And local organic food found from the Georgia Organics website is even better.

GO CARBON ZERO

–for $99/yr through nonprofit www.carbonfund.org you can offset your carbon footprint (the amount of ghis key greenhouse gas produced thru your life activities) with that organization’s contributions to renewable power, energy efficiency, and reforestation projects.  It takes about 5 minutes.  I just did it!  And with April 15th around the corner, it’s TAX DEDUCTIBLE!

RECYCLING

–The avg person in the US produces 1609 POUNDS OF WASTE EACH YEAR.  Recycling can cut that waste stream by up to 75%.  If each of us recycled just paper, glass, and metal, we would save 162 MILLION TONS of material entering American landfills EACH YEAR.  Plastics (from bottled water and other sources) can also be recycled. 

www.seventhgeneration.com

DENYING DISPOSABLES

–”disposable” is a dirty word.  If we all used a glass instead of a water bottle and a coffee mug instead of a styrofoam cup, we would save 244 BILLION bottles and cups made from petrochemical-based plastics from entering the U.S. waste stream each year.

www.biotaspringwater.com  for those who have to have bottled water–this one has a bottle made from corn plastic that actually bidegrades over 12 weeks.

SWITCHING TO NATURAL PERSONAL CARE

–Using natural personal care has a double benefit–keeping TOXIC chemicals off your body and then keeping them out of the ENVIRONMENT after they wash off your body.  If you wouldn’t eat it, DON’T put it on your body!

www.seventhgeneration.com

www.jason-natural.com

www.aubrey-organics.com

www.eccobella.com

USING NATURAL LAWN CARE

–The avg suburban lawn uses SIX TIMES the HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS PER ACRE than conventional farming (which, as I’ve preached, uses A LOT).  If just 10% of us switched to natural lawn care, over HALF A BILLION POUNDS of SYNTHETIC FERTILIZERS, PESTICIDES, nad HERBICIDES would be prevented from entering the environment and our bodies.

www.gardensalive.com

www.naturalhomeandgarden.com

CLEANING GREEN

–Collectively we dump 32 MILLION POUNDS of TOXIC CHEMISTRY down our drains EACH DAY, just from household cleaning chemicals.  That doesn’t even count what goes into our indoor air.  Switching to green alternatives keeps these chemicals out of our air, our water, and our bodies.  www.seventhgeneration.com

www.SixWise.com

www.earth911.com

www.nontoxic.com

FILTERING YOUR TAP WATER

–Filtering your tap water to remove CHLORINE and FLUORIDE provides pure, clean, great-tasting water at a FRACTION OF THE COST OR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF EXPENSIVE AND WASTEFUL BOTTLED WATER that COSTS MORE PER GALLON THAN GASOLINE.  Plus, no harmful PHTHALATES (xenoestrogens) will leach into your water.

www.newwaveenviro.com

www.aquasana.com

www.greenfeet.com

INCREASING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

–Insulate your home and use energy efficient transportation.

www.fueleconomy.gov

www.findsolar.com

www.3phases.com

www.eere.gov

STAYING INFORMED

–Subscribe to the many green magazines to stay informed.

The same amount of water that exists on this planet today… existed millions of years ago… to the drop! There is no such thing as new water. Our planet continuously recycles and re-uses this finite supply of water. Only recently have we learned how fragile and finite our water resources really are. We are finding traces of compounds in our water that no one ever thought to look for before. We have finally realized that any chemical used in our society will eventually wind up in our drinking water

While the current focus by the media on tap water problems has raised long overdue concerns, it is not a new issue. In 1999, a 17-year-old West Virginia high school student, Ashley Mulroy, read a report in a science magazine describing how European scientists had recently discovered that “drugs of all kinds, including antibiotics, were flowing in rivers, streams, ground water and even in tap water” and decided to embark on a science project of her own. Over a ten-week period Ashley and her mother drove for miles along the Ohio River taking samples of the water from different sites. She then returned to her hometown and had the samples tested for three common antibiotics: penicillin, tetracycline and vancomycin… to her surprise she found traces of all three in each of the samples she had taken. Ashley then sampled tap water in three near by towns. All three, including water from the drinking fountain at her school, were contaminated with the antibiotics in question. Ashley was awarded several science project awards and more importantly opened the eyes of many U.S. scientists.

Researchers from the U.S. EPA and the National Geological Survey have now found traces of antibiotics, birth control drugs, anti-depressants and even caffeine in many water samples taken across the country. Large animal farming operations and wastewater treatment plants release billions of gallons of contaminated wastewater into our environment every day. A large percentage of the drugs that are given to humans and animals pass through the body and wind up in this recycled wastewater and then in our drinking water.

As early as 2000, USA Today, in a news release, stated that “experts fear that even low levels of antibiotics fouling the nations water supply may help create super-bugs: micro organisms that have evolved to survive an antibiotic’s lethal assault.” And that these super-bugs may be causing ‘tens of thousands’ of deaths each year in the U.S.A., according to Abigail Salyers, an expert on antibiotic resistance at the University of Illinois.

Christian Daughton, a Chief of Environmental Chemistry for the E.P.A., warns that “Water pollution by drugs is a newly emerging issue.” The reality is that there is little information on the long term effects of consuming low levels of antibiotics and growth hormanes, but everyone agrees that they will not be good.

Our public water treatment plants are not designed to remove drugs and other synthetic chemicals from our water. Without waiting for the final verdict on the actual effects of drinking a mixture of drugs and other chemicals… we can assume that they will be negative. The only question is… how negative and why wait?

Most all prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals are synthetic organic chemicals (SOCs) and volitile organic chemicals (VOCs) and can be filtered out with quality home water filtration. Look for systems that are certified for the reduction of VOCs and THMs to address this issue.

The only way to get truly healthful drinking water is to make it yourself with point of use water filtration–just buy a filter!

Aquasana makes healthy water affordable and convenient.

Bottled Water Production & Use In The U.S.:

I got an e-mail from a friend of mine saying that, though she wasn’t a vegetarian, her partner was. She said she wanted to include some sort of protein in the meals she cooked (it’s good to have all the macronutrients represented on your plate) and was wondering what my thoughts on soy were.

Well, I used to think soy was the bomb! After all, the health claims surrounding soy were ubiquitous. You literally couldn’t take a step without stepping in a claim–which, if you can pick up on my not-so-subtle analogy, you’ll see what I now think of those advertisements. And that’s what they were, ads to convince people that soy was good for you. Now, have you ever seen a commercial for breathing? Breathing is good for you. So they don’t need to do ads for it (though as our air gets worse, I’m sure those commercials are coming). Deprived of oxygen for 3-4mins, a person will die. Everyone knows this. But what everyone should realize is that the more strongly something is marketed as being healthy for you, the worse it probably is for you.

But a billion Chinese and Japanese folks can’t be wrong, can they? While it’s true that the soybean first appeared during the Chou Dynasty (1134-246 BC), it did not become part of the Chinese menu for some time. Instead it was used in the process of crop rotation, fixing levels of nitrogen in the soil so that the Chinese could grow grains more suitable for human consumption like rice and millet. Indeed, it wasn’t until the Chinese discovered fermentation did soy, in the form of miso, tempeh, natto, and soy sauce, become widely consumed.

See, the Chinese knew that unfermented soybeans contain many different substances which make it unsuitable for human consumption. Foremost among these is phytic acid. Phytates block the absorption of calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc. So even if your diet is rich in these nutrients, the consumption of soy can very easily lead to a deficiency in any one of them. And they are all essential for health. Vegetarians who shun animal products like meat and diary and who opt for soy to “replace” this staple in the diet are, therefore, at a greater risk for a deficiency in any one of these nutrients.

Secondly, a large amount of trypsin and other enzyme inhibitors are present in soy blocking the absorption of these enzymes which are necessary for protein digestion. In tests, rats fed a diet of soy failed to grow normally. And everyone hates to see a malnourished rat…

Consuming soy that has been fermented lowers the levels of these “anti-nutrients” and makes items like miso, natto, and tempeh o.k. to eat. Tofu, on the other hand, has these anti-nutrients concentrated in the liquid and still present in the curd–thus its consumption is wrought with the same risks as soy in general.

So how do the Chinese and Japanese stay so healthy on a diet so rich in soy? Well, maybe they don’t eat as much as you thought.   8 grams/day in Japan and 9 grams/day in China–that’s less than 2 teaspoons. And while the Japanese do suffer less from some forms of cancer than here in America, cancer of the esophagus, liver, and stomach are much higher among the Japanese population than people in the U.S.

Healthy? That’s what the United Soybean Program, which spends 80 million dollars a year to “strengthen the position of soybeans in the marketplace and maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets for uses for soybeans and soybean products” would like you to believe. 72 million acres of U.S. farmland is now devoted to soy, and it’s one of the most highly pesticide ridden crops (and now genetically modified) grown today. Brazil, the second largest exporter of soy in the world next to the U.S., sacrifices millions of acres of rain forest to meet the demands of a growing number of people duped into eating isolated soy protein and textured vegetable protein for the reported health benefits. Cholesterol lowering is one of these wonders. But the “benefits” were only seen in individuals whose serum cholesterol levels were 250mg/dl or higher!

Soy is also high in isoflavones, a class of organic compounds and biomolecules related to flavonoids which act as phytoestrogens in mammals. These phytoestrogens, specifically genistein, are potent endocrine disruptors, causing infertility, reproductive problems, thyroid disease, and liver disease in test animals. But that’s for animals in experiments which were fed an extreme amount of soy, right?? From an article by Sally Fallon:

“Twenty-five grams of soy protein isolate, the minimum amount PTI claimed to have cholesterol-lowering effects, contains from 50 to 70 mg of isoflavones. It took only 45 mg of isoflavones in premenopausal women to exert significant biological effects, including a reduction in hormones needed for adequate thyroid function. These effects lingered for three months after soy consumption was discontinued.

One hundred grams of soy protein - the maximum suggested cholesterol-lowering dose, and the amount recommended by Protein Technologies International - can contain almost 600 mg of isoflavones, an amount that is undeniably toxic. In 1992, the Swiss health service estimated that 100 grams of soy protein provided the estrogenic equivalent of the Pill.”

In fact, male children fed soy formula had reduced testicle size while female children experienced an earlier onset of puberty. Alarming statistics like this prompted the New Zealand government in 1998 to issue a health warning about soy in infant formula.  While animals on soy based feed need supplementation with lysine for normal growth, the presence of soy in school lunch programs goes widely unnoticed (except by the wallets of the soy producers) and, therefore, a growing number of our children may be at risk of the health consequences mentioned here and in countless other scientific publications and resources.

So what was my reply to my friend regarding preparing meals for her vegetarian partner?  Get her to eat fish or meat or something…just say it isn’t soy!

–Jimi Hendrix

I believe that’s an appropriate first post. More to come…