Canadian government has declared BPA toxic and banned on its use in baby bottles. The European Union also banned three phthalate compounds from toys and other children products.

It is important that we avoid BPA and phthalates containing products as much as possible in everyday life.

Here are some tips.

1. Minimize the use of canned food and drinks.

2. Use only BPA free plastic wrap, bottles or containers for water and food. Or use glass and stainless steel containers.

3. Avoid heating plastic containers in microwave oven. Warm food in ceramic or glass containers.

4. Make sure that children items are BPA free.

5. Use metal or wooden utensils and cutting boards to process food.

6. Look for “phthalate-free” personal care products.

7. Use fragrance-free detergents, cleaners, etc.

8. Avoid vinyl plastic products, especially labelled as No. 3.

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BPA is a common ingredient in plastic. It is found in many drinking containers, cans, food storage containers, toys, water pipes, etc.

BPA migrates from the plastic into food or water in the containers. Heat, acid, alkaline and repeated washing accelerate the process.

Animal research on BPA showed that it alters reproductive hormone cycles and causes problems ranging from reproductive abnormality in both males and females, cancer, overweight, to behavioral changes.

These changes in animals mimic many human health problems, including infertility, autism, obesity, breast and prostate cancer, and diabetes, etc.

Another endocrine disruptor is phthalates, which exist in many products, including toys, personal care products, air fresheners, vinyl products, coating on many pills, food packaging, etc.

Phthalates release into neighboring substances readily.

The main health concern about phthalates is reproductive toxicity, particularly for males.

These BPA and phthalates containing products not only increase health risks, the production of them also uses largely non-renewable resources. Use of these products contributes to increased waste and pollution production as well.

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