Other Problem Plastics: Bisphenol A Isn't the Only Concern

[Guest guest]

" Other Problem Plastics: Bisphenol A Isn't the Only Concern

April 18, 2008 05:07

Bisphenol A, a major ingredient in polycarbonate plastic that's also

used to preserve canned foods, is getting lots of bad publicity this

week. But polycarbonate isn't the only kind of plastic that has

health experts concerned; plasticizers called phthalates make some

of them nervous, too.

Some scientists and parents have been worried for years about these

chemicals (pronounced THAL-ates), which make certain plastics like

vinyl pliable and are also used as solvents in cosmetic products.

Groups like Greenpeace have been calling for bans of vinyl pacifiers

and toys for at least a decade. (And here I thought toxic toys were

the recent problem!)

The case against phthalates is hardly incontrovertible, as the

American Chemistry Council, an industry group, has repeatedly

emphasized on the site phthalates.org. Nevertheless, study after

recent study has produced disconcerting evidence that these

chemicals, which act like the hormone estrogen once inside the body,

may alter childhood development and perhaps raise the risk of

cancer, diabetes, obesity, and other ills.

No wonder Congress has been working on legislation to ban phthalates

from children's products. "

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/thinking-harder/2008/4/18/other-problem-

plastics-bisphenol-a-isnt-the-only-concern.html