| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| DaisyFarm |
Posted - Dec 08 2007 : 12:42:27 AM
Here we go again. You can take this or leave it...I'm just passing it on...but mine all went into the recycling bin this week.
A friend who is a biomedical engineer at a major Vancouver hospital was telling us a couple weeks ago that all Nalgene water bottles with a "7" inside the recycling triangle on the bottom, will leach the polymer into whatever it's contents are. He said, "it's not IF they will cause cancer, it's WHEN". Cripes, I used mine while I gardened all last summer. There was apparently a lot of controversy this summer when they were passed out at a fundraising run for breast cancer research.
So anyway, on tonite's news, Mountain Co-op (a huge outdoor gear outfitter and supplier) has pulled ALL brands of plastic drink bottles and dishes from their store.
When will this craziness end?
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| jenbove |
Posted - Jan 30 2008 : 6:49:20 PM
I remembered hearing something about freezing breast milk in glass, too, Pauline. So, I looked into it online & found some fairly ambiguous info. Basically, the trouble with glass is not that it leaches into the milk - glass is inert & as "safe" as containers get. According to some studies, though, the problem is that white blood cells (which transfer immunity from mom to baby) stick to glass more than plastic during refrigeration/freezing, so baby doesn't get as much protection. The moral of this story: like everything else, breast milk is best when it's fresh.
And I certainly agree - if one of the zillion health hazards out there doesn't kill you, worrying about all of them will! I think the trick is to do our best and not fret over all of the dreaded "what-ifs."
Jen
GOT A "WILD HAIR"?
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| kissmekate |
Posted - Jan 30 2008 : 1:20:03 PM
Just caught this, and thought I would post it:
http://children.webmd.com/news/20080130/hot-liquid-ups-bpa-from-plastic-bottles?page=2
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| Holiday Angel |
Posted - Dec 25 2007 : 11:14:19 AM
I hate to tell you that glass is also bad when you freeze it and then warm it up. They, in Columbia, Missouri N.I.C.U. won't use it in their unit because it breaks down into the milk and causes harm to the babies. I would suggest that this is also a reason we do not receive milk in the old fashioned glass bottles anymore also.
But, then again, what doesn't kill a person anymore? You just have to be prepared to die from something...hummm..
Pauline
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| sleepless reader |
Posted - Dec 25 2007 : 11:07:40 AM
Just checked; our bottles are the #7 Nalgene. Guess they will go to recycling. Have to save up for the kleen kanteens! At home, we drink out of canning jars. It's funny, but when we had a "real" set of drinking glasses we would break them all the time. Since we started using the canning jars, I think we've broken maybe 3! I think it's time to dump the tupperware too and other plastics and go back to the glass bowls and containers I used to use (before kids and breakage issues). Here's to a healthier new year!
Sharon
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
| Leezard |
Posted - Dec 25 2007 : 10:37:26 AM
That's so strange about the #7 bottles as that's what they recomend using for drinking bottles at our naturopath. I'll have to ask them about that the next time I go in.
http://ruby--slippers.blogspot.com/
www.leezard.etsy.com |
| Beach Girl |
Posted - Dec 22 2007 : 06:36:52 AM
I want to tell everyone what I have been told about REUSING the #1 bottles.
When I lived in VA I knew a woman who worked for the state environmental department. She also worked closely with those in the EPA in DC. She was telling me that the #1 bottles are fine for a ONE time use only. Once you open them, they begin to break down and then the chemicals in the plastic will go into whatever is in the bottle. To open a soda or bottle of water and drink it then & there is fine, but do not save it and refill it. As someone else said here somewhere, it is not an if that reusing them will cause cancer, it is a when.
So, if you do drink from the #1 bottles, just don't reuse them.
Vanessa |
| Annab |
Posted - Dec 22 2007 : 03:54:28 AM
I would guess that for all non -heated foods, plastic for basic non-heated storage would be ok?? Like cereal storage or for dry goods. Even still, you just can't beat glass and stinaless
I have also read that a chemical called BHA and BHT are used as a slick interior coating for some boxed food items. These are bad for animals I know- and is why I don't buy mainstream dog or cat foods. It's in the food and listed as such. Look at the cheaper name brands. It also is ani drying agent and is why the pet companies put it in semi moist treats too.
And it's in instant mashed potatoes and other similar items used as an anti caking agent.
Read those labels both for our foods and the things we use for storage for sure!!
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| jenbove |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 07:22:05 AM
It is SO hard to figure it all out. Check the number on the bottom of your Tupperware, Linda - I'm not sure how bad/good that stuff is. If it's one of the bad numbers (or doesn't show a number at all), you might consider using it to store non-food items. The way I see it, no matter what we do, all of this plastic is going to find its way into the ground eventually--hopefully the earth will be able to sort it out over the long, long run.
Money sure can lure people down the wrong road. Makes me glad to be functionally poor!
Jen
Expedition Leader, MaryJanesOutpost
www.maryjanesoutpost.com
Farmgirl Sisterterhood Member # 9
The View From My Boots
www.bovesboots.blogspot.com |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Dec 11 2007 : 8:29:22 PM
Thanks Jennifer.
that was a super help. I am also going to check out the website. I guess tupperware doesn't realize their polycarbonate products are bad. I purchased them because I thought they were safer than those gladware.....at least thats what they told me. I spent a small fortune on them. I don't feel right giving them to someone else now that I know there toxic. I guess I will just have to swallow hard and put them in the recycle bin. I wonder if it would be better to throw them away ??? When something is harmful like that its hard to know which way to go.I will start replacing them with glass pyrex. I will try to buy one a week until I have enough to cover everyones lunches.
Its amazing how many things you really have to pay attention to these days. People make stuff to make money and don't consider the fall out down the line on people,pets, and the environment. Its really ashame........I will go through all my other stuff and see what kind of plastics they are. I noticed some of them don't even have a code on the bottom to tell you what they are.
Well its late and need to get to bed. Nite all.
Each day is precious...take a few of those minutes for yourself. |
| bohemiangel |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 5:18:33 PM
I used to always buy bottled water, then the preacher was saying how half of it is just tap water and hardly treated etc. Then he said the companies make so much money off of bottled water that water should be a right, I guess it's a new movement. Now I just drink whats around, not sure how this is, and I knew about the plastic years ago from reading organic style. I have stainless steel. I also heard that nalgene when washed in hot water like dishwasher it can leach or something bad.
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggygirl.blogspot.com/
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| jenbove |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 12:35:33 PM
I hear you, Shawna!
Linda, here's a helpful list:
#1 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) Used to make soft drink, water, sports drink, ketchup, and salad dressing bottles, and peanut butter, pickle, jelly and jam jars.
GOOD: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.
#2 High density polyethylene (HDPE) Milk, water, and juice bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs, cereal box liners, and grocery, trash, and retail bags.
GOOD: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.
#3 Polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC) Most cling-wrapped meats, cheeses, and other foods sold in delicatessens and groceries are wrapped in PVC.
BAD: To soften into its flexible form, manufacturers add “plasticizers” during production. Traces of these chemicals can leach out of PVC when in contact with foods. According to the National Institutes of Health, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), commonly found in PVC, is a suspected human carcinogen.
#4 Low density polyethylene (LDPE) Some bread and frozen food bags and squeezable bottles.
OK: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones, but not as widely recycled as #1 or #2.
#5 Polypropylene (PP) Some ketchup bottles and yogurt and margarine tubs.
OK: Hazardous during production, but not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones. Not as widely recycled as #1 and #2.
#6 Polystyrene (PS) Foam insulation and also for hard applications (e.g. cups, some toys)
BAD: Benzene (material used in production) is a known human carcinogen. Butadiene and styrene (the basic building block of the plastic) are suspected carcinogens. Energy intensive and poor recycling.
#7 Other (usually polycarbonate) Baby bottles, microwave ovenware, eating utensils, plastic coating for metal cans
BAD: Made with biphenyl-A, a chemical invented in the 1930s in search for synthetic estrogens. A hormone disruptor. Simulates the action of estrogen when tested in human breast cancer studies. Can leach into food as product ages.
Source http://www.care2.com/greenliving/which-plastics-are-safe.html
Jen
Expedition Leader, MaryJanesOutpost
www.maryjanesoutpost.com
Farmgirl Sisterterhood Member # 9
The View From My Boots
www.bovesboots.blogspot.com |
| shawna |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 10:17:19 AM
wine jugs?? sounds like a good reason to go the store!ha ha, we use a lot of glass with the kids, even before learning about plastics. the kids use the little platers that came with my dish set. they learn to be more careful with stuff and no throwing their plate on the floor when done eating, now the food is diff! people are shocked, they say she has a glass plate;;;with a lot of concern, hey it's ok! i love finding old glass dishes at the old stores, wish pyrex made pretty stuff like they use to. seems like life was prettier back then.
xoxxo MERRY CHRISTMAS xoxxo |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 10:14:13 AM
Hi,
I was wondering if all plastic was bad to use or just the number 7# ??? Is this only concerning water bottles and microwave containers or all plastic used for storage and everthing ??!! I am totally freaking out on this. I just recently went green on cleaning products totally with a company called shakley. 2 years ago I bought allot of tupperware microwave containers that are suppose to be made out of polycarbonate plastic. They told me they were safe compared to regular microwave containers at the store. Any answers on this will be great !!! I have only been here a few times and don't have allot of time to read whats going on. But this one sure caught my eye. I really do enjoy this site. Its nice to see so many great people on the same page.
Each day is precious...take a few of those minutes for yourself. |
| jenbove |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 09:33:11 AM
We have no "new" kitchenware based on poverty AND principle. We stock up with jelly/peanut butter jars, pickle jars, salsa & goat milk jars from the Farmers Market. We drink out of them & use them for storage instead of Tupperware stuff. In addition to sun-tea jars for water storage, we have a few organic apple juice & wine jugs.
Our kids only drink out of plastic cups on occasion - no sippy cups. When we're at home, they drink from little glass jelly jars (even 16-mo-old Sam), and we've only had about 3 break in 7 years - not bad!
Jen
Expedition Leader, MaryJanesOutpost
www.maryjanesoutpost.com
Farmgirl Sisterterhood Member # 9
The View From My Boots
www.bovesboots.blogspot.com |
| MasterGardener |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 06:05:39 AM
Farmgirls, guess what just popped up in my email...a reply from Mountain Valley Water!
Here's what Donna says: We do have the glass bottles and they are $17.00 each bottle. There is a $7.00 deposit per-bottle. However, we are located in Asheville, NC. (I had asked about delivery to my area) There is a 800# to call for a location near you. It is 800-643-1501.
springwater@mountainvalleywaterasheville.com
.• ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.•´ .•´¨¨))
((¸¸.•´ ..• -:¦:- -:¦:- Chandra
-:¦:- ((¸¸.•´Farmgirl Sister #64
She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:16 |
| MasterGardener |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 05:57:44 AM
Diane, I have several pictures in books and magazines of what look to be really dorky looking racks, what amounts to a "dowel" tree...they were actually used to dry long-necked bottles a generation or two ago, exactly like what you're suggesting. People refilled them with wine, vinegar, water, olive oil...you name it. Let's be trend setters and bring 'em back! What's old is "new" again. Come-on farmgirls, let's look through those books and magazines and find useful/frugal contraptions that we can "re-invent" for this day & age. Diane's the first, she gets credit for suggesting the idea of re-using glass bottles! Way to go Diane! I'll say I found a way to dry them with the "dowel" tree thingy, who else has a great idea?
.• ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.•´ .•´¨¨))
((¸¸.•´ ..• -:¦:- -:¦:- Chandra
-:¦:- ((¸¸.•´Farmgirl Sister #64
She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:16 |
| Annab |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 03:50:17 AM
As for the cancer link. It goes for all plastics heated at high levels IF the person is at risk for breast cancer and especially if the plastics melt into food. Think melted plastic wrap that dips into the bowl and touches the food when its taken out of the microwave, or that melted ring around the insides of microwave bowls when fatty foods are heated too high. I think we aren't supposed to reuse plastic water bottles either. And never drink out of these if they have been sitting in a hot vehicle.
An estrogen is leached out. This extra estrogen is what causes cancers in some people.
I'm sure glad the Ball glass company and Pyrex aren't doing anything controversial at the monent!
. |
| Annab |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 03:41:26 AM
All our travel coffee mugs are stainless.
And I purchased a Kleen Kanteen 2 years ago for this same reason.
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| DaisyFarm |
Posted - Dec 10 2007 : 12:01:56 AM
Truer words were never spoken Shawna.
I recall, maybe a novelty item (?), mason type glass jars with handles. Anyone remember them or still see them around? If memory serves me right (and it often doesn't!), canning jar lids fit them.
Or maybe like I said to Chandra in an email...we could recycle an old wine bottle. Now wouldn't that give the neighbor's something to talk about while we worked in our gardens!
Ok, ok, I'm over tired...off to bed.
Nite all,
Di |
| shawna |
Posted - Dec 09 2007 : 9:52:09 PM
there is much to learn from the past!
xoxxo MERRY CHRISTMAS xoxxo |
| MasterGardener |
Posted - Dec 09 2007 : 8:24:31 PM
You're right Shawna, our world has developed a "throw-away" mentality.
The possessions that were hard-earned in my grandparents day, those pieces I was blessed to have passed to me, are cherished for their quality and because they are irreplaceable; quality instead of quantity.
Maybe we can each strive to set a better example in some way, even if it's just using glass instead of plastic or to teach about caring for the environment by recycling & re-using instead of just throwing it away.
.• ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.•´ .•´¨¨))
((¸¸.•´ ..• -:¦:- -:¦:- Chandra
-:¦:- ((¸¸.•´Farmgirl Sister #64
She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:16 |
| shawna |
Posted - Dec 09 2007 : 7:53:50 PM
as long as we are being poisioned by money hungry rich people this will go on forever. they want us to give up or just stay uninformed. the fact is that years ago, everyone didn't know what harm all this was going to cause. now we do! we are killing ourselves for less work. years ago they didn't have a choice, now we do, but not really. once we get use to the change glass won't bother us so much. children will have to learn to be more careful and we will have to learn to plan better. soon when we drink out of plastic, we will not enjoy the taste, for we will know a better water! some will think we are crazy at first, but we will know. and i feel like we will have a better since of caring for things. plastic toys, cups, dishes,;;;;nothing is special, just junky plastic that our kids will throw out when we are gone, but GLASS. that will be kept and used by someone!
xoxxo MERRY CHRISTMAS xoxxo |
| MasterGardener |
Posted - Dec 09 2007 : 5:41:58 PM
Jennifer Bove gave us this link in the post above, for the stainless bottles.
http://www.kleankanteen.com/
.• ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.•´ .•´¨¨))
((¸¸.•´ ..• -:¦:- -:¦:- Chandra
-:¦:- ((¸¸.•´Farmgirl Sister #64
She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:16 |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Dec 09 2007 : 4:53:56 PM
here I go..rushing to chuck my water bottles..jeesh!! At home I drink water all day from a GLASS tumbler...but when I want to carry water with me I guess I will have to find a glass bottle..or look for the stainless steel..jeesh!!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
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| MasterGardener |
Posted - Dec 09 2007 : 3:51:55 PM
Hi Diane,
I have one glass 5 gal water bottle that's been sitting in the corner next to the water crock because it's difficult to manage when full. I have 8 - 5gal nalgene (what was I thinking?) that I refill at the "Water Mill" which guarantees purity & filtration, but after reading info on the different sites you listed, they're destined for the recycle center. My situation with the lead/cadmium poisoning has me feeling a bit extremist about avoiding anything that might add to the toxic load my body is already under. It's imperative I avoid ingesting/applying fluoride, chlorine, phthlates, ya-da, ya-da...& now the bisphenol-A toxins too.
I am waiting for a reply from Mountain Valley Spring Water about the sale of their glass bottles. Will let y'all know what I find out. I know they are difficult to manage when full, but DH & I can lift them for a few more years. The ideal bottle for me would be a 2.5 gallon glass bottle with the handle designed into it (they make the same bottle in nalgene). I'd sure like to approach the glass bottle manufacturers about designing this bottle if it's not already available. Some things just can't be improved upon...glass bottles seems to be one of them. Thanks so much for all the links and bringing this topic to our attention.
.• ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.•´ .•´¨¨))
((¸¸.•´ ..• -:¦:- -:¦:- Chandra
-:¦:- ((¸¸.•´Farmgirl Sister #64
She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:16 |
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