Just how safe are baby feeding bottles and the other plastic dinnerware we use? Relatively recent scientific studies on the effects of the plasticizers used on some kinds of plastics suggest that they may not be safe for the health of people in general, let alone babies and very young children. How can you protect your family from unsafe plastics? It’s by knowing which products you should avoid.

What is wrong with some household plastics?

Some of the plastic items people use to hold or serve their food contain substances like phthalates, bisphenol-A, vinyl chloride and other chemicals. Phthalates are used as plasticizers which lend the material flexibility, transparency, durability and longevity. However, they are easily released from the plastics in which they are mixed. Various research suggest that exposure to phthalates may cause endocrine disruption and birth defects.

Similarly, bisphenol-A, more commonly known as BPA, is also an endocrine disruptor which mimics the body’s own hormones and causes negative health effects. Among its possible effects are triggering obesity, affecting the neurological functions of the brain, affecting thyroid function and altering the growth of breast and prostate tissues and thus possibly causing cancer. BPAs are mostly found in polycarbonate plastics.

On the other hand, vinyl chloride is a chemical substance emitted by plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC). According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), vinyl chloride contributes to air pollution and may cause irreversible or incapacitating illnesses in people. These include liver cancer among many other types of malignancies. The manufacturing or burning of PVC also causes dioxins to be emitted into the atmosphere. Dioxins are known to cause immune system suppression, reproductive disorders, endometriosis and cancers.

Other chemicals which are suspected carcinogens are benzene, butadiene and styrene. These are commonly found in polystyrene plastic materials.

What can I do to protect my baby and my family?

You can take several precautionary measures to protect your family from exposure to dangerous plastic chemicals:

• Avoid polycarbonate plastic and other materials labeled with resin identification number 7. The only resin number 7 plastic that is safe for use in food is polylactide (PLA), a biodegradable bioplastic derived from cornstarch. Also avoid polyvinyl chloride (resin number 3) and polystyrene (resin number 6).

• The safest plastic containers are those made of polyethylene terephthalate or PET (resin number 1), high density polyethylene or HDPE (resin number 2). Other safe plastic products are those made of polypropylene (resin number 5), and low-density polyethylene or LDPE (resin number 4) but these are not as widely recycled.

• When you need containers that you have to heat in the dishwasher or microwave, choose those made of heat-resistant glass instead of plastic. This is because heat can degrade plastics and thus, release chemicals. Conversely, don’t pour boiling water directly into plastic containers.

• Avoid eating or drinking canned foods and beverages. Most of them have liners that contain BPA.

• If you are nursing a baby, breastfeed your baby to avoid BPA exposure through canned formula. If formula feeding can’t be avoided, choose those that are in powdered form instead of liquid form to minimize exposure.

• Dispose of plastic bottles or containers that are scratched or cloudy. Old plastic items can easily leach out chemicals.