Bisphenol A: A Chemical Found in all Urine Samples!

Bisphenol A is a key compound used in most plastics from polyester to polycarbonate. The chemical was developed in 1891 and today, in the US alone, we manufacture more than 2.3 billion pounds of it annually!

Recent studies have shown that Bisphenol A serves as a hormone disruptor- the chemical attaches onto locations within your body where normally your natural horomones would reside. As a result, it prevents natural hormone development and causes health problems- low sperm count, and breast cancer cell growth. In 2004 the US Center of Disease control found traces of Bisphenol A in almost all urine samples collected. Recent studies show that the chemical leaches out of certain plastics and resins when exposed to extreme heat (dishwasher, even a hot car) and use.

In other words, to get your tox off, keep your water bottles, baby bottles, and plastic food containers out of the dishwasher and don’t microwave (if you must in the first place) your food in/on plastic.

You were on the right track by employing reusable water bottles in your everyday, so here are some resources to direct you towards some clean and healthy alternatives:

Life Without Plastic

New Wave Enviro Products

Bio-based Plastics That Can Survive Freezing Temperatures

CP-INJ-13 is the first ever first-ever freeze-tolerant bio-based resin. This material is an extension of the existing biodegradable, compostable plastics in the Cereplast line. A substitute for petroleum-based plastic, their alternatives are starch-based, made from corn, wheat, tapioca and potato starches. To learn more about the new PLA (polylactic acid), click here…

National Geographic Explains e-Waste and Recycling

This month’s National Geographic features a very informative article on e-waste called High Tech Trash. We highly recommend this read to any designer or business owner working in the electronics industry.

Click here for the full article.