By Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
Last month News Three told you that your water bottle may not be safe.News 3 On Your Side
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Stumble It!Since our story first aired, we've had an outpouring of interest - folks wanting to know if their bottles are safe. Well since our story aired - Nalgene, a company that makes hard plastic bottles announced they are phasing out their current bottles which contain BPA - a hormone interrupter - and starting production of bottles that are BPA free.
Now, we’re on your side - with what chemicals may be lurking - in your kitchen.
It's not unlike Amanda Newman - to protect her son Asher anyway she can.
So when this self described hippie - heard that certain plastics may have toxins - she decided to take amore natural approach.
Says Newman, “He's so young and his little body's so pure. My husband and I talked about it and its better safe than sorry.”
After hearing that some plastic baby bottles may have BPA, a hormone interrupter - she's switching to BPA-free bottles or the old fashioned glass kind. And according to Nutritionist Beth Bussey of the John B. Amos Cancer Center - that is the way to go.
Says Bussey, “We have no idea what exposure early in life means but that's far different thing than an older person having exposure.”
So what about us "older people"? We have a lot of plastic in our lives too - we asked Beth Bussey to go inside our news three kitchen to show us what's safe - and what's unsafe.
Bussey says just like on the bottom of bottles - a symbol should be on anything from a box of platic bags to a plastic container.
Bussey says you can tell if your plastic's safe by reading the triangular recycling codes on the bottom.
If the bottle has a 3,6,or 7 - Bussey says its unsafe for use and may excrete chemicals inside - that mimic estrogen and have been linked to prostate and breast cancer.
Bussey says the symbols 1,2,4, and 5 generally mean the bottle's safe - as long as you follow instructions on use.
Bussey says if your plastic doesn't have a number, Bussey says it's safest to toss it out.
Back in the news three kitchen - Bussey pointed out our plastic ware is on the unsafe list - she suggests using flat ware and washing it.
But for the most part-- most of the containers Bussey looked at in the news three kitchen had safe numbers - she still says you need to be careful.
She says any plastic, even a “safe” one must be tossed if its scratched. It opens up the container to leaking.
When in doubt - Bussey says to toss it out - and whether it's for storing food - or storing milk - glass is best.
Back at Amanda Newman's house - this protective mom says she's going glass - after all - when it comes to her little boy there's no risk - worth taking.
Says Newman, “If you can do something to make his life better - than why not - it's not a big expense - a big price to pay."
Now, the FDA has responded to all the buzz about plastic - they say at this point they are investigating the effects of plastic - but at this time they do not see reason for folks to stop using it.
So if you do decide to air on the caution were on your side with some tips on using plastic.
Beth Bussy says to never heat food or drinks in plastic containers. Even if they say they are microwave safe.
She says oily food tends to bring out the chemicals in plastic - so she says not to store foods with oil in the containers.
She also says, if your container is scratched - toss it out.
Chemicals can seep out through those scratches.
To find out more check out these links:
FDA
Nalgene