By Cate Nelson •
June 24, 2009
The Endocrine Society, a medical group representing the research of hormones, issued an intake warning at their annual meeting earlier this month.
The group is concerned over bisphenol-A and similar hormone-disrupting chemicals, found in plastics, pesticides, and other products. It said in a statement that bisphenol-A is a
’significant concern for public health’ and that it’s important for consumers to take a ‘precautionary approach’ to limit their exposure.
This follows on the heels of a few more studies regarding BPA. First–and most worrisome–is the recent study that showed that human exposure to BPA is likely much higher than previously thought and much higher than deemed “safe” by the FDA. That study’s author, Dr. Frederick vom Saal, who presented his study’s findings at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting, said of the chemical:
BPA is now known to be a potent estrogen.
Human and animal studies indicate it could be related to diabetes, heart disease, liver abnormalities, miscarriage and other reproductive abnormalities, as well as prostate and breast cancer
Other recent studies should have us all cutting out the polycarbonate plastic.
By Cate Nelson •
February 19, 2009
Ugh. By now, anyone paying attention knows about the plastic “soup” floating across the Pacific. You’re well-versed in the phthalates problem. You avoid bisphenol-A. You even try to avoid plastic overall as to lessen your consumption of petroleum.
But what if that plastic water bottle wasn’t made of plastic anymore? Or even stainless steel? What if your “plastic” was actually made of wood?
By Lucille Chi •
August 9, 2008
Supermodel and mom Cindy Crawford is reducing the number of plastic water bottles that end up in landfills.
Cindy teamed up with PUR Water Filtration Systems, and designed a limited edition reusable water bottle bearing the slogan “Thirsty for Change“, with all proceeds going to help decrease water related diseases in developing countries. She aims to teach America about water consumption, and by doing so, hopes to impact the world…
Whole Foods Markets will stop using disposable plastic grocery bags on Earth Day, April 22, 2008. Banning plastic bags is undoubtedly good for the environment–is it also a boon for Whole Foods?
According to the Whole Foods Market website, Americans toss out about 100 billion plastic bags annually (we recycle a pitiful 0.6% of our plastic bags), crowding landfills with an energy-consuming product (it takes 430,000,000 gallons of crude oil to make the 100 billion bags) that lasts for at least 1,000 years. Whole Foods estimates that their action will save 100 million plastic bags in 2008, alone.
By drawing attention to their company policies that are good for the earth, Whole Foods also gets some good press. Was this part of their plan?
The Endocrine Society, a medical group representing the research of hormones, issued an intake warning at their annual meeting earlier this month.
