| What could be easier than going to the | | | | containers some deli foods come in? They've got |
| refrigerator, pulling out the plastic container you | | | | bisphenol A in them. Think of these chemicals as |
| put last night's leftovers in, and popping it into the | | | | evil genies hiding in your containers and wraps. Pop |
| microwave for a quick zap? Instant hot meal in | | | | any of these things into the microwave--which is |
| three minutes. Also, depending on the kind of | | | | what many of us do all the time--and you're |
| container, instant shot of potentially toxic | | | | essentially setting those genies free. |
| chemicals. | | | | ÿThere are two simple solutions to this |
| Clear polycarbonate plastic containers marked | | | | problem. The first is to make sure that any |
| with a number 7 on the bottom, like most plastic | | | | plastics you use in your kitchen are marked |
| baby bottles, can leach bisphenol A, the known | | | | number I, 2, 4, or 5. These are the safest ones. |
| hormone disrupter, cancer causer in lab animals, | | | | For example, there are some brands of cling |
| and possible source of hyperactivity and other | | | | wrap, bags, and containers that are made of |
| behavioral disorders in children. So number 7 | | | | safer plastics. The problem is the boxes they |
| plastics are a no-no. Second, plastic foams-like | | | | come in don't often say which number plastic |
| those used in coffee cups, food containers from | | | | they use. But there are lots of common brand |
| fast food restaurants, and instant soups and | | | | versions of these products that are safe, far |
| noodle products-are made of number 6 | | | | more than we can list here. So here's my tip: Go |
| polystyrene. Styrene is known to leach from such | | | | to Green Guide, the Web site run by National |
| containers. It is a possible hormone and | | | | Geographic magazine (thegreenguide.com). Click on |
| reproductive system disrupter and is listed as a | | | | the section called "Buying Guides," and then click |
| possible carcinogen by the International Agency | | | | on "Plastic Containers" under "Kitchen." That's |
| for Research ÿon Cancer. Third, flexible | | | | where you'll find an extensive list of which are |
| plastics made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), marked | | | | safe and which are not. |
| with the number 3 on the bottom, contain | | | | My own choice, however, is just to use glass |
| phthalate compounds, including DEHP, which is | | | | containers. I ÿbypass the plastic problem |
| linked to a host of problems with the liver, kidney, | | | | altogether. With clear glass, I know I'm working |
| and spleen and is banned in Europe. | | | | with a recyclable material, that they'll get safely |
| These plastics are not good things to have around | | | | clean when I wash them, and that I don't have to |
| the house--much less the kitchen--but that's often | | | | keep buying more every few weeks. And when I |
| where you find them. That stretchy, sticky plastic | | | | open the refrigerator door and look at the glass |
| film you wrap the kids' sandwiches in and use to | | | | containers in there, I know immediately what's in |
| cover leftovers? It's more than likely PVC film | | | | them. |
| loaded with phthalate. Those clear plastic | | | | |