Protect Yourself and the Planet: General Health

Ziggy · **Site Rank:** Healthy BBF

Protect Yourself and the Planet

Drink water from stainless steel bottles
Avoid plastics with the numbers 3, 6, and 7 on the bottom
Use BPA (Bisphenol-A) free baby bottles
- BPA is the chemical used to make hard plastics, create carbonless receipts, and line cans (choose frozen or fresh produce over canned). It is proven to raise the risk of breast cancer in rats. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has raised an alarm about the potential harm BPA can cause. 93 percent of us have BPA in our bodies. We live with it, and we excrete it when we go to the bathroom, sending the chemical into the environment.
Never heat plastic in the microwave, even if it says it is microwave safe
Choose products that are paraben free
- Parabens
  Found in moisturizing shampoos and body lotions, parabens are the most widely used preservatives in the beauty product industry, and they also act similar to estrogen in our bodies. One study found parabens in the breast cancer tissue of 19 out of 20 women studied - experts worry there could be a connection. Often listed on the label as methylparaben, butylparaben, or propylparaben, it shows that the manufacturer is not concerned about limiting exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Avoid any products that contain fragrances - choose ones that get their scent from essential oils - Choose products that are phthalate free
- Phthalates
  Ingredients that help fragrances linger on the body after you have applied a lotion or body cream to your skin. They mimic the hormone estrogen and have been linked to reproductive problems in rodents, such as lower testosterone and fetal malformation. Also found in toys, floor coverings, detergent, soaps, nail polish, and shampoos. Phthalates are often not listed on beauty products, so it's best to avoid any products with fragrance.
Leftover Prescription Medicine
- Throw leftover medicine in your garbage - mix with coffee grinds or cat litter to keep others from picking it out of the trash
  OR
- Return unused medicine to your pharmacy
  OR
- Go online to find your local hazardous waste disposal facility

tammy · **Site Rank:** Site Admin

I need to get myself a stainless steel or BPA free water bottle. I've been meaning to do that.

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